• ASSIGNMENT:

Create a 8/5/3 List: List 8 interesting ideas + 5 analytical questions + 3 connections

List 8 interesting ideas (75-100 words each): 6 about the book + 2 about the

essay.

  • What ideas did you find especially interesting and why?
  • The 6 ideas from book(1 per chapter) + 2 ideas from essay.

List 5 analytical questions (50 words each, max.): 3 about the book + 2 about the essay.

*What are the most pressing questions that come to mind?

  • List 3 connections between the book and the essay (75-100 words each).

*What connections can you make between the two texts?

SAMPLE TEMPLATE:

8 Interesting Ideas

  1. List idea (cite author of text, page number)
    2. same as above
    3. etc.
    4-8. etc.

5 Analytical Questions

  1. List question (cite author of text, page number)
    2. same as above
    3. etc.
    4. etc.
    5. etc.

3 Connections

  1. List connection (cite authors and page numbers)
    2. same as above
    3. etc.

GRADE ASSESSMENT:

Grades will be based on the originality and insight of your ideas, questions, and connections.

Assignment Guidelines

The objective here isn’t sophisticated writing, it’s sophisticated thinking.

Technical Information

  • Limit your submission to 3-5 pages total.
  • Even though this is not a formal essay, the language should still be formal and error-free.
  • Avoid first person and personal opinion.
  • Use footnoted or parenthetical citations for everything!
  • NO repeats of topics either within a section or between sections! Cover as much material from the readings as you can.

The Best Lists

  • Avoid direct quotes in this assignment. Rather, use your words to explain your ideas, questions, and connections.
  • Demonstrate depth and complexity of your own original thoughts on issues raised in the readings, NOT verbatim ideas from the readings.
  • Explain why an idea is interesting! You must explain the nature of the connection you’re making, not just repeat ideas from reading.
  • Rather than listing less important facts from the book, grapple with substantial historical ideas, events, processes, and changes.

Asking Strong Historical Questions

Questions should be of a historical nature, avoiding the following:

  • Philosophical musings (What if…)
  • Policy-related questions (Why doesn’t the government…)
  • Psychological questions (Why would they do that?)