This document provides an overview and instructions for an expository assignment on empires. Students must choose one question from each of two sections and write two responses of 450-550 words answering the questions, using at least two of four provided empires (Aztec, Rome, Ottoman, Aksum) as examples. Students will also present one of their written responses in a 2-3 minute oral presentation with a visual aid. The assignment is worth 50% of the unit grade and is intended to have students analyze empires and the lessons that can be learned from them. It includes criteria on meeting deadlines, written and oral components, grading breakdown and due dates.

1. Expository
Assignment
Overview

2. Why?
To dig deeper into empires and discover the
lessons we can learn from them.

3. What?
O There are 2 sections of questions – you
choose one from each section.
O There are four empires to choose from:
O You will need to choose at least 2, and more if
you choose.
O The possible empires have been limited to
ensure a level of consistency in the what our
class studies during the semester.
O 2 parts to the assignment:
O Written responses = 2 responses @ 400
words each
O Oral Presentation = 2-3 minutes

4. Written Component
The written component must:
O Define key words and concepts used to
respond to the question
O Use evidence from the selected empires as
illustration
O Contain two responses, each no more than
550 words, and no less than 450.
O The strict word count range is intended to
force you to formulate your ideas carefully
and craft your writing succinctly.
O Utilise an (MLA) reference style

5. Written Component
Instructions
O There are 2 sections of questions
O You choose 1 question from each section
O Answer both questions
O Stay within the 450 to 550 word limit for
each response
O Citation List is not included in the word
count

7. Oral Presentation Component
The oral presentation must:
O Present one of your answers in an oral
presentation
O Be between 2 to 3 minutes in length
O Utilise a visual aid that enhances your
message (extra points will be reward for
creative thinking!)

8. Criteria and Weighting
Criteria Description Weigh
t
Meets Due
Dates
There will be several due dates through
the project that you will need to meet, i.e.
Drafts, Class Conference, Final Deadline.
20%
Written
Component
Depth, clarity, accuracy, referencing and
language, word count.
50%
Oral
Presentation
Knowledge and understanding,
information, visual aids, eye contact, use
of voice and body, time use.
30%

9. Notes on Grading
This is worth 50% of your Unit grade.
O Unit 1:
O Timeline – 20%
O Flow Chart – 20%
O Expository – 50%
O Key Homework Reviews – 10%
Semester Grade breakdown:
O Unit 1 – 40%
O Unit 2 – 40%
O Semester Exam – 20%
O Therefore your expository assignment is worth the
same as your exam!

10. Due Dates
Name What is due Format Date
Plan Paper Basic research,
outline of written
responses
Hard copy Thursday
Class
Conference
Your Plan Paper Class Activity As above
Draft Writing The first draft of your
written component
Digital Online by Monday,
5pm (dropitto.me) or
early
Final Paper Your final draft of the
written component
Hard copy Wednesday, 3rd of
October
Oral
Presentation
s
Your well prepared
and amazing oral
presentations
Oral presentation
with supporting
aids
Thursday and Friday,
4th and 5th of October

11. Empires
O Aztec
O Rome
O Ottoman
O Aksum

12. Questions: Section 1
O Using 1 empire as an example, discuss
the influence of religion in the
identity, authority and expansion of
empires.
O Using 1 empire as an example, examine
the role of language in the rise, expansion
and fall of empires.

13. Questions: Section 2
O By comparing 2 empires, explain how the
structure of a society influences the
authority, expansion, and stability of an
empire.
O Using 2 empires as illustration, explore
how the needs of humans have been met
by past empires.