Download Prompt: Describe the conditions leading to the transfer from food

Prompt: Describe the conditions leading to the transfer from food gathering to food cultivation
Bad Thesis: Transition from food gathering to food cultivation came through certain economic, social,
and geographic conditions
Good Thesis: The shift from hunter and gatherer to food cultivation came through factors such as
agricultural development, job specification, and social hierarchy.
How were the Assyrians able to conquer and control such a large and diverse empire?
Bad thesis: The Assyrians had a strong military. They had over half a million troops, and they ruled their
territory with fear.
Better: The Assyrians became the first true empire by conquering and controlling a large region in and
around Mesopotamia from 911 to 612 B.C.E. They achieved this through the use of a powerful military, a
strong central government, and a fearsome propaganda campaign.
Discuss the development of Greek democracy. Was Greek democracy “democratic?”
Bad thesis: Greek democracy developed in Athens. Democracy was central to their city-state as can be
seen from Pericles’ funeral oration. In this speech he discusses the merits of the Athenian system in
comparison to others. This document, dated from about 450 B.C.E. is essential to our understanding of
the ancient Greeks and their system of government.
Better: Greek democracy developed in Athens as a response to tyrants. Gradually it evolved from being
controlled by the aristocracy to include participation from Greek citizens at all levels of society. However,
because only a small percentage of Greeks were legally able participate in the government, and because
it was not a representative government, it would not be considered a democracy by modern standards.
The Greek government developed from tyrants, evolved the basic features of democracy, yet would not
be considered a democracy today.
Explain how the first Egyptian civilization was shaped by its natural environment
Bad thesis: The Nile River is the longest river in the world. It floods regularly throughout the year, and
papyrus plants grow down by the river. The Nile could be used for transportation. I believe it was
significant in the development of Egypt.
Better: Egypt would not have been the civilization it was if not for its geographic location. The Sahara
desert and the Nile River cataracts helped keep Egypt isolated. The Nile River provided fertile land which
bolstered the early agricultural society, and the Nile also influenced the development of Egyptian
religion.
Prompt:
The Warring States period was a time of political and social change in China. How did philosophies
shape the government and societies of ancient China?
Thesis:
The Warring States period of the Eastern Zhou was characterized by a decline in the strength of the
central government. In order to bring stability to society and government, influential political
philosophies were developed. Among the most important philosophies that emerged were legalism,
Confucianism, and Daoism. Legalism used strict laws and punishment, Confucianism emphasized duty
and responsibility and Daoism focus on simplicity and the natural order of the universe. All of these
philosophies had a tremendous impact in shaping the political structure and foundation of ancient China.