Rwandan Genocide Document-based Writing
Students will respond to the prompt in a 8-10 sentence paragraph responding to the
primary source on the Rwandan genocide. You should also use the information you have
learned from lecture, readings, and film to provide context for the writing assignment.
Prompt:
What were the effects of the genocide on children? How is this different or similar to the
effects of genocide on adults in Rwanda?
The source-based paragraph should contain several components:
1. Topic sentence that answers the question
2. A definition of genocide
3. Examples the source that support your answer [similarities between children and
adults’ experiences]
4. An analysis of these examples—explain why these specific examples are important
for understanding the effects of genocide on children in Rwanda
5. Examples the source that support your answer [differences between children and
adults’ experiences]
6. An analysis of these examples—explain why these specific examples are important
for understanding the effects of genocide on children in Rwanda
7. Conclusion about the effects of genocide on the children of Rwanda
Sentence Frames:
Introductory Sentence to provide context: The Rwandan genocide occurred (date, location,
groups involved)
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Thesis sentence: The Rwandan genocide affected children
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Example from source 1:
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Example from source 2:
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Analysis: These examples show that children in Rwanda
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Example from source 3:
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Example from source 4:
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Analysis: These examples are important for our understanding of the effects of genocide on
children in Rwanda
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Conclusion: In 1994, the genocide in Rwanda affected children
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