Due October 12, 2026

By Monday, October 12, students will submit a 3-5 page typed, double-spaced essay answering this question about The Rise and Fall of the Second American Republic:  What was one of the greatest historical triumphs detailed in Manisha Sinha’s book on the long Reconstruction period, and what was one of the most disappointing tragedies?  Students should explain their answers within a clear narrative context, covering the period from 1865 to 1920.  All essays must include material from Sinha’s book properly cited with Chicago-style footnotes. Outside research is allowed but not required. Additional information will be available on the annotated assignment guidelines at the course site. Essays will be graded on depth of analysis, use of evidence, and quality of prose. Late essays will be penalized up to 5 points each day.

 

Organizational Guidelines

  • Please open your paper with a descriptive title, byline (name), and a clear introductory paragraph with thesis statement  –and don’t just restate the question.
  • Make sure to address a question and devise a thesis statement that can be effectively argued in a short paper.  Consult the Methods Center handout on How to Write a Thesis Statement 
  • As with any essential question, make sure to define terms, consider the landscape of opinion, and demonstrate respect for complexity and change over time
  • Be specific.  Use examples, dates, statistics and snippets of quotation to support your claims.
  • All essays must include material from sources on the syllabus properly cited with Chicago-style footnotes.  These sources include both reading assignments and the discussion pages. Outside research is allowed but not required.
  • Make sure you are using and formatting your footnotes correctly.  Provide footnotes for all quotations and specific information (such as statistics). See the models below as well as this methods handout on How to Use Footnotes and consult as needed with the library’s Chicago-style guide, but make sure to use sample footnote models for formatting and NOT bibliography examples.
  • Prof. Pinsker will comment on full or partial drafts over email until Sunday afternoon.  You may also consult with the Writing Center for help with your essay.  Do not work with other students in the course on your answer.
  • Guard against plagiarism.  Remember our discussion from the very first day of the semester.  Never write your own words while looking directly at your sources, especially secondary sources –unless you are quoting them.  Don’t use AI platforms for “help.”

Sample Footnotes

 

Style guidelines

  • Organize your essay in a way that respects chronology and historical context.
  • Use past tense except when describing modern scholarship
  • Avoid first person pronouns, including “our”
  • Take to care to evaluate your sources as you deploy them in your essay.  See this methods post on Evaluating Sources for a helpful overall framework.
  • Don’t underestimate the importance of integrating your quoted evidence with some degree of fluidity.  Awkwardly inserting quotations is one of the hallmarks of mediocre undergraduate essays.  Consult this handout from the methods center for a range of good tips.
  • And finally, always remember to proofread your work by printing it out and reading it aloud, slowly. See our methods handout on How to Proofreed [sic]