Unit+1+Assessment+Prompt

=Unit #1: Assessment Prompt:=

For Thursday's unit #1 assessment, you will have the class period (40 minutes) to write one essay about the unit on world civilizations in the 15th century that we have just studied. At the end of chapter 12 in //Ways of the World,// author Robert Strayer writes in a section called “Webs of Connection”

//Few people in the fifteenth century lived in entirely separate and self-contained communities. Almost all were caught up, to one degree or another, in various and overlapping webs of influence, communication, and exchange. Such interactions represent, of course, one of the major concerns of world history. What kinds of webs or networks linked the various societies and civilizations of the fifteenth century?//

In the following paragraphs, a number of examples are offered for these interactions. Your question tomorrow will not be the same as this quotation, but is will be somewhat similar. As you prepare tonight, please look at the examples in “Webs of Connection” to help you prepare for this.

Your essay should be 4-5 paragraphs, and should be similar to the short writing assessments that we have completed recently:
 * Introduction – state the question
 * Background – describe the setting of history and environment
 * Examples – specific people, places, concepts, and event narratives that relate to your theme
 * Counter-argument – what might be an argument to oppose your idea?
 * Conclusion – why is your perspective the most persuasive one?