IN CLASS ESSAY TOPICS

IN CLASS ESSAY PROMPT AND INFORMATION

We will write the slavery essay in class on WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27.

IN CLASS ESSAY RULES:

·         You may bring an outline. Make sure it is an outline, not full sentences or a paragraph. You know the difference;

·         You may bring Frederick Douglass, any book, or other sources;

·         You may not use electronics during the essay;

·         You will have the whole period to write your essay;

·         You may not ask your instructor how long the essay should be;the essay should have an introduction and conclusion and various body paragraphs. The essay should be detailed with names, dates, organizations, and anything else that helps you make your case;

·         Your essay will be judged on the strength of the argument and the quality of evidence that you employ to prove your case. Your essay will be judged on the argument. What this means is that I expect standard English but not perfect form or perfect grammar and spelling.

Remember, your own original analysis of whichever question you choose is crucial. If you are thinking of this history paper as a description of a book or two, think again! Simple description is pointless; make an argument! Again, these issues will be discussed further on the blog and in class.

In a well argued essay, answer one of the following questions:

1. Considering the Slave Narratives from the American Memory Project and any other sources you need, determine what role violence played in maintaining order on the plantation?

(search on google for American memory project, slave narratives)

2. Consider the experience of Sally Hemmings. Compare her life with other slave women.

3. What was the meaning of music in the slave community?

http://www.pbs.org/jazz/time/time_slavery.htm

http://americanabolitionist.liberalarts.iupui.edu/plantation_life.htm

4. What was more important in maintaining the discipline of the plantation, physical or psychological control? How was disciplined imposed? 

5. What was the significance of gender on the slave plantation?

“Gender becomes a way of denoting 'cultural constructions'—the entirely social creation of ideas about appropriate roles for women and men.”  Joan Scott

6. COME UP WITH YOUR OWN TOPIC...YOU MUST CLEAR THIS WITH ME BEFORE…You only need to clear the topic with me if you are creating a new topic.