Analyzing Africa’s Role in the Transatlantic Slave Trade

AFH 2000

Paper #2 Analyzing Africa’s Role in the Transatlantic Slave Trade

Due Date: Friday September 18 by 11:59PM Description In this paper, you will interpret primary source documents and analyze them in order to assess the role of African ruling elites and merchants in the transatlantic slave trade. Primary sources or accounts that document an event, issue or occurrence at the time that it occurred are the original source materials that historians use as evidence to develop an argument about the past. Knowing how to interpret primary source evidence is central to developing techniques of analysis for critical thinking. Conducting a primary source analysis strengthens your critical reading and writing skills. For this assignment, read chapter two entitled “Why did Africans Sell Slaves?” in Lisa Lindsay’s book, Captives as Commodities: The Transatlantic Slave Trade. Read the “Sources” (p. 78-83). Choose two sources from the four presented (“Trade and Politics in the Kongo,” “Attempts to Raid for Slaves,” “Dahomey and the Slave Trade,” “The Process of Enslavement in Angola.”). Write a 750 word approximately 3 page double- space essay that analyzes the two sources. In your introductory paragraph explain what insights these two sources give you on why Africans sold slaves in the era of the transatlantic slave trade. In the body of your paper analyze each source. Explain to your reader who is the author of the source, when was it written and whose perspective does it convey? Answer at least two of the questions posed by Lindsay in the introduction to the source. In your conclusion, consider what is left out from these sources? What perspectives don’t you hear? How do these sources complicate the simplified assumption that, “Africans sold Africans into slavery.” Format

• Assignment must be typed, double-spaced and proofread with 1” margins • Write papers in MS word document using a 12-point font for formal writing

(Times New Roman, Cambria, Garamond) • Use only the sources that the instructor has provided for this paper. Use of any

Internet sites is strictly prohibited and will be flagged by Turnitin software as potential evidence of plagiarism. Do not use Wikipedia, Cliff’s Notes, online encyclopedias or any other sources in print or on the Internet that have not been specified for this assignment.

• Do not use footnotes or endnotes. Do not include a bibliography. When paraphrasing or using direct quotes, you must cite your source by writing the last name of the author and page of the text (Lindsay, p. 79)

• Use direct quotes sparingly or not all. There should be no block quotes in this paper. Paraphrase as much as possible. Use no more than two direct quotes of no more than one sentence each. The idea is to hear YOUR analysis of the source not to reproduce the source. Excessive use of direct quotations may indicate plagiarism.

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Grading Criteria Grading of the assignment is based on your ability to write a coherent thesis

statement. A thesis statement makes an argument that can be proven or disproven. Typically, your thesis should be in the introductory paragraph and it answers the central question of the essay. For this assignment, you will be graded on your ability to follow the rules of English grammar, to organize your thoughts in a precise and coherent manner, to use primary source evidence to support an argument about the past, and to demonstrate knowledge of the subject. For more on grading, see the rubric below.

Grading Rubric

A Excellent Answers question and follows directions, well organized including smooth transitions between sentences, writes an original thesis statement, relates accurate information, and adheres to the rules of English grammar such as correct subject-verb and subject-noun agreement, variety of and appropriate word choice, correct punctuation, knows the difference between proper nouns and common nouns, correct spelling, and demonstrated ability to discern when to use past tense and when to use present tense. Other rules of grammar may apply.

A- Very Good Answers question and follows directions, demonstrates organization including ability to make smooth transitions between sentences, writes a coherent thesis, follows rules of English grammar with minor errors or inconsistencies (see writing criteria above).

B+ Good Answers the question and follows directions, coherent organization including smooth transitions between sentences, writes a thesis, generally adheres to the rules of English grammar (see writing criteria above) but needs to vary word choice, proofread, and clarify inaccurate information.

B Average Follows directions. Articulates a thesis statement but thesis is vague, contains inaccuracies or does not make an argument. Organization needs improvement especially with regard to sentence transitions; Generally, adheres to the rules of grammar but with grammatical errors and/or inconsistencies. Author needs to vary word choice and proofread.

B- /C+

Below Average

Does not follow directions. Writes a vague thesis statement or thesis statement contains inaccuracies or does not make an argument. Assignment lacks organization especially in terms of transitions between sentences. Shows inconsistency in adhering to the rules of English grammar, assignment is not proofread. Needs improvement in writing, argument, and analysis of sources. Essay does not meet page length requirements.

C Weak Does not follow directions. Writes and inaccurate thesis statement or a vague and underdeveloped statement. Essay does not adhere to the rules of English grammar (see writing criteria above) or contains major grammatical errors and inconsistencies and statement is not proofread. Essay does not meet page length requirements and does not demonstrate comprehensive analysis of sources.

D-F Unacceptable Fails to meet the above criteria or meets one to two the criteria but fails to show clear evidence of ability to write a thesis statement or summarize the author’s argument, does not follow directions or adhere to the rules of English grammar (see writing criteria above).