Analyze the rise of civilization in the Americas, Mesopotamia, Egypt, China and India, and Hebrew and Iranian civilization in the period 3500 BCE to 1000CE. Briefly, explain their histories, contributions and why the civilization declined.

Essay Format:
Your essay must be at least 2000 (minimum) words in length. Do not use direct quotes. Paraphrase and cite your sources. The easiest way to cite sources is to use parenthetical citations (MLA) that include the author’s last name and page number (Mayer 199). No outside sources, cite only from the required textbook and the lectures. You need citations in every paragraph except for your intro and conclusion.

Your first paragraph must contain a series of arguments that you intend to historically prove in the text of your essay. Never pose rhetorical questions in your essay. Rhetorical questions are cheap literary devices that make your writing style non-assertive and give the reader the impression that you are not in control of your essay or the material. Immediately give the reader your overall argument, and then, in succeeding sentences of your first paragraph list supporting arguments in chronological order. The supporting arguments should be chronological in order and build on each other. Your last paragraph is the conclusion and here you restate your original thesis, succinctly summarize what you covered in the text of your paper and conclude. In your conclusion do not editorialize or introduce anything new that you did not cover in the body of the essay.

The topic sentences of your paragraphs must do more than simply describe what the paragraph is about, they must also state why the paragraph is important to the overall argument of your essay. In other words, the topic sentence summarizes the paragraph, but also links it back to one of the supporting arguments that you listed in your introductory paragraph. You must have dates or at least periodize in almost every paragraph. Paragraphs should be one-third to one-half page in length. Finally, your essay must have a conclusion that restates your original argument in light of the data and facts that were discussed in the text of your essay. A paragraph is at least four sentences long.

To obtain an optimal grade your essay must be clearly written. Clarity of style, proper grammar, spelling, analytical organization and logical coherence are essential if you wish to receive a passing grade. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO TURN IN A FIRST DRAFT as your finished essay. A decent paper will go through at least three rewrites. Therefore revision, rewrite, revision, rewrite, etc., is the process that will earn you a good grade. FINALLY, BE SURE THAT YOU START ON THIS PAPER IMMEDIATELY. For your draft that you send me, be sure it is the best you can do. Drafts are optional, but I will read and comment on only one draft so send be your best effort.
Be sure to cite page numbers of the sections of the book you are paraphrasing.