Write a well-developed essay using the primary source documents about the Renaissance available on Canvas. Your essay assignment will be divided into two sections:

1) Topic and Outline

You will submit a Topic/Outline of your writing project a few days before your final paper. This assignment will require you to identify the topic you are working on and to present a detailed plan of your essay, and its basic organization.

Include a section for the introduction with a possible thesis, body paragraphs with arguments you plant to make, and concluding points.

Requirements for Topic and Outline: 2-5 pages, 1-inch margins, double-spaced, 11 or 12 font size

2) Essay

Choose one of the topics below to develop a well-written argumentative essay using the primary sources from the Renaissance. You may also choose to use you Merriman textbook and/or different passages from the primary sources.

Make sure you have a clear thesis statement, relevant supporting evidence from the documents, and a strong conclusion.

Cite all your sources as footnotes or parenthetical citations, and make sure to answer the topic question thoroughly. Don't forget to come up with a creative title for our essay that embodies the argument of your paper.

Requirements for Essay: 7-10 pages, 1-inch margins, double-spaced, 11 or 12 font size.

· Option 2

Sources: Machiavelli's History of Florence, Machiavelli's Mandragola, Machiavelli's The Prince (Book II, chapters 1-3).

Machiavelli has been described by many scholars and academics as a "Renaissance Man". What do you think this means?

Write a well-developed essay explaining and analyzing at least 3 characteristics of the Italian Renaissance you have learned about in class and/or from your readings that Machiavelli seems to embody as shown through his writings.

Pay close attention to the topics he discusses, themes, and the manner of writing he uses to make your argument.