Crusades Summative Essay Guide
The final assessment for this chapter is an essay, with a bit of creativity mixed in! I
want you to take on a specific role of an individual during this time period. Choose
from the following options:

a peasant in Europe

a knight

a Muslim leader

a Christian leader

a religious warrior in the Middle East
Remember, that all of these people will have a different outlook this is called
multiple perspectives. Regardless of the role you take you must be able to answer
the question that I am posing to you.
QUESTION: “ Were the Crusades a calamity or recovery?”
You will be able to use the readings that have been discussed during the writing of
the essays. You may also use your social studies book to bring depth into the
writing. Consider what these peoples jobs and activities were like. This needs to be
a five-paragraph essay in the following organization:
Topic Paragraph (4pts)
Rational #1 (3pts)
Rational #2 (3pts)
Rational #3 (3pts)
Conclusion Paragraph (2pts)
This is a test and the grade will be doubled!
Crusades Summative Essay Guide
Topic
I am a ______________(pick one: peasant in Europe, knight, Muslim leader,
Christian leader, religious warrior in the Middle east). I think the Crusades were a
__________(pick one: calamity, recovery). Others may think the Crusades were a
__________ (write the one you didn’t use), but, I can prove it.
Reason #1
My first reason I think that the Crusades were a ________(which did you
choose: calamity or recovery?) is ______________ (use 1 example from your readings or
book). This source shows (how did it prove that it was calamity or recovery?).
Since I am a (are you a peasant in Europe, knight, Muslim leader, or Christian
leader?), I agree.
Reason #2
The second reason for the Crusades were ____ (pick another example from
your readings or books). When I read this source I noticed that ___(give examples
from the source). Once again, I agree.
Reason #3
My final reason for choosing ____ (calamity or recovery) comes from my
(readings or book?). It says that ____________ (what is your 3rd example?). If you think
about it, this is probably the clearest answer why the Crusades were a (calamity or
recovery).
Conclusion
As you can see, I have given you ___ reasons why the Crusades were a
(calamity or recovery. Between _____ (list your 3 reasons stated above). It would be
hard to argue any other way. Especially if you are a _____ (peasant in Europe, knight,
Muslim leader, or Christian leader *which did you choose?)
Crusades Summative Essay Guide