8-page paper related to a topic covered between September 7 and October 10 (20%), due by Friday of the week after the topic has been discussed in class. Papers are graded on the following criteria: Argument or research issue providing the focus for the paper Stated clearly and succinctly in your own words Body of the Paper Supports the argument or research issue with examples from the source materials Makes connections between the different sources and deploys them effectively Offers own thoughts Synthesizes ethnographic or historical details rather than reproducing descriptions provided in the sources Writing Essay has an introduction, main part that presents the evidence, and a conclusion Smooth transition between ideas Thoughts and supporting evidence are clearly and well expressed Quotations or close paraphrases are followed by source and page number Essay has been well proofed for grammatical and spelling errors .