English 7
Mr. Cain
Perspectives on History -- Argumentative Paper One
Pick a “way of seeing” history from the list below or come up with one of your own (see me if you do)
which both evaluates and argues for how and why inequality became a part of our historical past.
Argue for the central cause or catalyst of the harm you are featuring, how and why it occurred, and for
the adverse effects, in terms of how and why it was made worse through the strategies and/or attitudes
inherent in your topic. We should be able to clearly understand the cause or catalyst you are presenting
and specifically measure the impact or the harm of the effects it caused.
Your argument should be consistent in its perspective, with all your claims and specific support
designed to further a single “way of seeing” or a single perspective on historical inequality.
MENU
Historical Myths and Cognitive Dissonance: The Price We Pay
Historical Materialism and Economic Catalysts of Inequality
Eurocentrism and/or Ethnocentrism: Catalyst(s) for Anglo-American Supremacy
Deficiency Theory or Structural Theory: Catalyst of Inequality ( Pick One )
Paradise Lost: The Failure of Reconstruction and the Rise of Jim Crow
Media Manipulation: Manifest Destiny, Jim Crow, and Other Political Strategies
** Your research paper must be 6+ to 8+ pages long, double spaced, with 12 pt font, and 1” margins
all around. Do not use headings on any page, including the first. Instead, you must use a cover page
which must include your name, class day/time and a title which is suggestive of your essay’s argument
or attitude. No padding. Any essay that is not at least 6 full pages will be considered below average.
** At least 50% of your paper must come from class – based research sources (our books, videos,
handouts, lectures, anything assigned or used in class. ).
** No one source may be more than 50% of your paper.
** You must use at least 3 sources to support your argument, and a minimum of 8 citations.
Be sure to signify the importance of your citations and their connection to your argument and thesis.
** For breadth of coverage, no single source may make up over 50 % of your paper.
** All sources used must appear on a separate Works Cited page which follows the MLA format.
** For all outside sources, including library or Internet sources, be prepared to provide the original
page you used upon my request. Internet sources should be bookmarked and saved for this purpose.
Keep a record of them in case I ask.
Final Draft Due : Monday, October 1
Plagiarism will result in an F paper and possible dismissal from class !