HIST 1301/ESOL 0310

Writing Assignment 1 Instructions

Purpose

This assignment asks you to read and analyze a historical monograph (Escaping Salem).  The purpose of the assignment is to promote thoughtful reading, critical thinking, and clear expression of ideas.

The Assignment

This paper is designed to get you thinking about the book Escaping Salem and its argument(s).  This assignment is brief, so don’t stray from the main points or spend too much time summarizing. 

Part 1:  Introduction

In this section you should briefly introduce the book and its main argument.

Part II:  Analysis

In this section, you will analyze the book’s argument(s) in more detail.

What is the book’s author, Richard Godbeer’s, main argument in this book (or arguments, if you think there are more than one). 

• NOTE:  an author’s argument is different from the topic. The topic is a witch trial in Connecticut in 1692. But what does the author say about that witch trial? What’s the broader significance?
• Another way of thinking about it is:  what is Godbeer trying to convince the reader of in this book?
• Here are a few questions to think about as you zero in on Godbeer’s argument(s):
• Why is the 1692 witch trial in Stamford, Connecticut important?
• What does the trial tell us about Puritan society?
• How was the witch controversy in Stamford similar to and/or different from the more famous one in Salem, Massachusetts?

What evidence does Godbeer present to support his argument(s)?

Do you find his argument(s) convincing?  Why or why not?

Part III:  Reaction

In this section, provide your overall analysis of the book.

• Did you like it? Why or why not?