This week, you have examined the growth of American identity. One expression of the unity was a colonial-wide revival known as the Great Awakening. The “Great Awakening” historical readings for this week revealed that people had diverse opinions about the Awakening. Drawing evidence from the historical readings for this week, compose an initial post focused on one major theme of the Great Awakening. There are a number of themes you could choose to focus on. Compose the initial post based on a thesis statement. A thesis is a focused argument based on your reading of the historical documents. Make sure to include a bibliography with your post.
Here is a one page sheet on how to compose a thesis statement.
DISCUSSION BOARD REQUIREMENTS You are expected to pull evidence from multiple documents to support your argument. No outside sources are allowed. You may draw from the lectures and the textbook reading to help provide context but your post should draw evidence primarily from the historical readings for evidence. In your post, be sure to:
1. State a clear thesis 2. Use evidence from the historical documents to support your
claims Your initial post of 300-400 words and response of 100 words are due as noted on the syllabus. Each response post should be a critique, pointing out to a fellow student ways he or she could improve, clarify, expand, etc. While we, of course, want to be cordial and fair to one another, college education is a time and place to hone our critical thinking skills and learn to receive constructive criticism. We do want to avoid “ganging up” on anyone in particular. So, if a person already has two critiques, move on to someone else until everyone has two critiques. Some helpful questions to ask when formulating a critique:
• Is the thesis missing something? What? • Does the thesis miss a key piece of evidence? • Is there evidence that should have been used but is not? • Is there better evidence to use than what the student is currently
using? • Is the student’s post ignoring important counter-evidence to his
argument? • Does the essay seem to misunderstand the evidence? • Is there an alternative interpretation of the Scripture passage or
historical document?