Reasons for Growth of The Slave Trade Paper

In the first half of this course, we have considered the African diaspora from 1400 until the 1800s. Drawing on the assigned readings (including websites) and lectures, what impact did the slave trade have on the black experience during this period? You must cite these readings. Any form of citation is acceptable, as long as it is clear which readings you are referencing. No outside sources. Please also include a bibliography.

Essays will be graded based primarily on the following questions:

• Does your essay have a central argument?
• How well organized is your paper? Does it revolve around one central argument?
• How interesting, persuasive, and sophisticated is the argument and the analysis that leads to it?
• Is your writing clear and concise?

Thesis:

• Provides a persuasive, crystal clear argument

• Does not merely restate the question and offer a brief response

• Answers the specific central questions asked

Evidence:

• References lectures, including (if applicable) video clips
• References readings
• Provides several, specific examples
• Answers all parts of the question as fully as possible

Analysis:

The essay provides the student’s analysis (does not simply repeat the lectures/ readings)

Organization:

• Maintains focus/avoids being sidetracked by tangents

• Presents all information clearly and concisely and in an organized manner
• Avoids distracting grammar/spelling/etc. problems


Writing Tips:
• Argument: Your first paragraph must contain your essay’s central argument. You might consider underlining this argument, so that it is crystal clear.

• Clarity and Organization: Once you’ve settled on a central argument, be sure that you organize your paper around it and cut out any word, phrase, sentence, or paragraph that doesn’t advance it.

• Evidence: In building the case for your argument, be sure to cite numerous, specific examples. Please use parenthetic citations: (Gomez, 104). For lecture notes, you can write my name and the date: (professor name, September 13). Please include a bibliography. You will not be graded on the formatting of these citations; just make it clear what source you’re citing.

• Analysis: Sophisticated, nuanced arguments are best. So do not ignore evidence that doesn’t quite fit your thesis. Instead, try to tweak your thesis to accommodate this conflicting evidence; or briefly mention this evidence and then explain why it is perhaps an exception to the general rule or argument you’re laying out.

• Writing tone and style: This paper, unlike your weekly responses, must be scholarly in tone. For example, do not use “I” or contractions such as “don’t.” In terms of style, focus most intently on being clear and concise; creativity is less important for this assignment.