Your essay should provide an answer and evidence to prove your answer (main idea or thesis) to the set of questions before.
Student essays should be based on one of the set of questions below. Make certain you utilize at least FIVE primary sources to prove the validity of your thesis (main idea).
Student essays should be based on one of the set of questions below. Make certain you utilize at least FIVE primary source to prove the validity of your thesis (main idea).
1. Discuss the ethnic and religious conflicts and/or compromises which defined Atlantic Civilization in the beginning.
2. What were the key events that led to England gaining control over the Atlantic and establishing settlements in the North America? What were the key events that led to the demise of Spanish power in the Atlantic?
3. Discuss the similarities and differences between the settlements of Virginia and Massachusetts during the period from 1607-1707. How were religious, political, and/or social developments different or similar in these two colonies?
4. Discuss the effects that the institution of slavery had on Atlantic Civilization?
7. The Black Nationalist and civil rights activist Malcolm X declared We [African-Americans] didnt land on Plymouth Rock¦ Plymouth Rock landed on us [African-Americans]. Is Malcolm Xs interpretation of the Atlantic Slave Trade as it related to North America valid?  (NOTE: This question does not require students to research Malcolm X. Instead the question demands that students research primary sources and other class resources to prove, disprove, or somewhere between Malcolm X’s thesis).  
[Note here are some themes to ponder as you begin to brainstorm. The considerations below can be used to address the sets of questions above. Consider Spanish relations with the Tainos, Arawak, Aztecs, Incas, etc. for example; consider the economic, diplomatic and religious competition between England and Spain; think about Africa and the institution of slavery in the Atlantic (how did Africans, Native Americans, and Europeans interact economically, politically, religiously, and socially in the Atlantic); consider the economic, religious, social and political differences between the Northern colonies (e.g., New England) and Southern colonies (e.g., Virginia). Consider how diverse ethnic groups interacted in North America.]
The essay must be 1500 to 1800 words long (roughly 5-6 pages if you have 1 margins, 12 font, Times New Roman, and double-spaced). Essays less than 1500 words receive an entire letter grade deduction.

Essay Rubric

1.    The essay does not state in the introduction the five or more primary documents the student will use to prove his thesis. -5pts.
2.    The essay has no clear thesis statement in the introduction. -10pts.
3.    The essay contains 5 or less spelling errors and/or grammatical mistakes. -5pts.
4.    The essay contains 6 or more spelling errors and/or grammatical mistakes. -10pts.
5.    The essay refers to less than five primary documents. -5pts
6.    The essay refers to no primary documents. -10pts
7.    The essay does not have a conclusion. -5pts
8.    The essay does not have an introduction. -5pts
9.    The essay is not divided into paragraphs (with specific main ideas that function as sub-main ideas of the thesis statement). -5pts
10.    The essay does not have a title. -5pts
11.    The essay does not have the appropriate style, font, and/or margins. -5pts
12.    The essay is plagiarized. -100pts

I can deduct points for other problems I may encounter in your essays. But the rubric above provides you a rough idea of what I expect.