Option A. 3-page essay
Three page essay (double spaced) using the small book The Silk Roads.
Develop one main point or theme based on the information and insights you gained from the book.
Here are three examples of themes that could work for this essay:
"The silk roads helped transform classical societies into postclassical societies."
"Cultures connected on the silk roads, leading to new variations."
"Just as the silk roads spread religions, religions strengthened the silk roads."
(You can find more ideas for themes from The Silk Roads, page 174-175.)
In your first paragraph, introduce the topic you are covering and state your main point. Give the reader a basic overview of how you will develop your essay.
Develop your main point with specific information, insights and quotes from the documents. You will also find the introduction helpful, and also your textbook.
Instead of footnotes, simply mention where you got your material and give a page number (in parentheses). Tell a little bit about the sources you use, so we can see what perspective they offer.
Try to include about twelve short quotes or observations from the documents.
Please use short or medium-sized paragraphs.
In your conclusion, discuss how the readings can enrich our lives and add to our understanding of the world. You may also note if you found any of the writings particularly rewarding.
Option B. Reading Journal of 5 pages
The journal option is similar to the essay, except that you will be making several observations and reflections rather than developing one main point. Also, it is longer.
Consider how the documents help us understand major events and ideas in the introduction and also in our textbook. You may also consider how the textbook helps us understand the documents.
Comment on five to eight documents. Please put the title of the document in bold.
Write the journal in sections, with each section discussing a document or clump of documents.
Share your reflections on how the documents help us understand the world of the postclassical era as well as the world we live in today. You may relate the documents to prior knowledge or experiences