The Islamic Empire Research Paper: Writing the Letter Checklist

Things to remember as your write:

1. You are on your hajj during the Islamic Golden Age and have stopped in Baghdad
2. You are mailing this letter home to family/friends from Baghdad
3. Do not be constrained by dates. This was a 500 year period (756-1258); it’s all open to you
4. Assumption: All people, ideas, and innovations flowed through Baghdad
5. Concepts of cultural diffusion must be embedded throughout the essay

The Introduction:
 Remember, this is a letter. Start it as such
 Define “jewel”
 Provide background information about Baghdad (during the Islamic Golden Age) and be creative.
o Use class notes. Textbook. Video notes. Etc.
o Include discussion about cultural diffusion
 Introduce your two chosen main ideas (different areas of “scholarship” advanced during era)
o Choices (pick three): Science, Math, Astronomy, Medicine
 Final Sentence = underlined thesis statement
o Write the thesis statement here: ____________________________________________________________
Note: thinking of a good lead in for the introduction is often difficult when you sit down to begin your essays. Many writers, in fact, skip
the lead-in until the body of the essay has been written, saving the introductory remarks and conclusion for last.

Body Paragraph #1:

 Begin with underlined topic sentence (the main idea of the paragraph). Topic sentence clearly answers the question, links
to thesis and gets the ready for evidence.
 Discuss two scholars
 Offer TWO (2) SPECIFIC EXAMPLES PER SCHOLAR that help prove your main idea. Evidence builds your case!
o Evidence (names, dates, context, etc.) should be thoughtfully chosen, thoroughly analyzed, and should clearly
support the topic sentence.
o Remember, BE CREATIVE. For example: discuss your conversation with the scholars!
 Use internal citations for ALL information that is new. Cited/quoted material should be smoothly integrated with
appropriate context.

Body Paragraph #2:

 Begin with underlined topic sentence (the main idea of the paragraph). Topic sentence clearly answers the question, links
to thesis and gets the ready for evidence.
 Discuss two scholars
 Offer TWO (2) SPECIFIC EXAMPLES PER SCHOLAR that help prove your main idea. Evidence builds your case!
o Evidence (names, dates, context, etc.) should be thoughtfully chosen, thoroughly analyzed, and should clearly
support the topic sentence.
o Remember, BE CREATIVE. For example: discuss your conversation with the scholars!
 Use internal citations for ALL information that is new. Cited/quoted material should be smoothly integrated with
appropriate context.

Body Paragraph #3:

 Begin with underlined topic sentence (the main idea of the paragraph). Topic sentence clearly answers the question, links
to thesis and gets the ready for evidence.
 Discuss two scholars
 Offer TWO (2) SPECIFIC EXAMPLES PER SCHOLAR that help prove your main idea. Evidence builds your case!
 o Evidence (names, dates, context, etc.) should be thoughtfully chosen, thoroughly analyzed, and should clearly
support the topic sentence.
o Remember, BE CREATIVE. For example: discuss your conversation with the scholars!
 Use internal citations for ALL information that is new. Cited/quoted material should be smoothly integrated with
appropriate context.

Conclusion:
 Begin by restating your exact thesis (Do not underline)
 Do NOT restate any other information already stated in your paper
 Link to creative elements of your introduction if possible
 Take your paper to the “next level”
o Ex: so what?
o Ex: offer “predications” about how an innovation discussed might be used in the “future”!
 Sign off. Remember this is a letter!