World History Paper
Budget: $10 – $30 USD
As a budding scholar, construct a periodization of the periods between 10,000BCE –1500CE to
illustrate how you conceive of world history. Title and date each period, give a brief explanation as to
how you settled on a period’s title and dates, why that period is important, and how it shapes your
conception of broader human history. Make sure to be specific about what topics each period covers
and why. Be as creative as you would like in your titling of historical periods.
Format: Periodizations should be no shorter than 6 double-spaced pages using Times New Roman
12 point font with 1-inch margins. You do not need to include citations, but if you use outside
materials (i.e. materials that are not from this course), please cite them using Chicago Style, MLA, or
APA. Please submit your paper as a Word document.
Components of Periodization: Your periodization should have an introductory paragraph indicating
why you have broken down human history from 10,000BCE – 1500CE into the periods you present.
After your introduction, you should have several dated periods, followed by the topics that are meant
to be included in that period, and a paragraph explaining details of sources, figures, events, ideas, and
developments that a hypothetical world history textbook will cover.
Grading: This assignment will be graded on a 100-point basis.
Essay evaluations will be based upon the following criteria:
Quality of analysis: Does the periodization clearly illustrate your conception of history? Does the
evidence presented clearly support that periodization?
Synthesis of information: Does the periodization include substantive evidence, i.e. presentations,
readings, and primary sources? Does that evidence cover a variety of different historical figures,
thinkers, contexts, and/or developments, and synthesize that information accurately into the main
argument?
Clarity of prose, editing, and formatting: Is the periodization properly formatted, free from
grammatical, spelling and punctuation errors, composed in good, clear, simple English prose that
flows together, and cites sources appropriately?
illustrate how you conceive of world history. Title and date each period, give a brief explanation as to
how you settled on a period’s title and dates, why that period is important, and how it shapes your
conception of broader human history. Make sure to be specific about what topics each period covers
and why. Be as creative as you would like in your titling of historical periods.
Format: Periodizations should be no shorter than 6 double-spaced pages using Times New Roman
12 point font with 1-inch margins. You do not need to include citations, but if you use outside
materials (i.e. materials that are not from this course), please cite them using Chicago Style, MLA, or
APA. Please submit your paper as a Word document.
Components of Periodization: Your periodization should have an introductory paragraph indicating
why you have broken down human history from 10,000BCE – 1500CE into the periods you present.
After your introduction, you should have several dated periods, followed by the topics that are meant
to be included in that period, and a paragraph explaining details of sources, figures, events, ideas, and
developments that a hypothetical world history textbook will cover.
Grading: This assignment will be graded on a 100-point basis.
Essay evaluations will be based upon the following criteria:
Quality of analysis: Does the periodization clearly illustrate your conception of history? Does the
evidence presented clearly support that periodization?
Synthesis of information: Does the periodization include substantive evidence, i.e. presentations,
readings, and primary sources? Does that evidence cover a variety of different historical figures,
thinkers, contexts, and/or developments, and synthesize that information accurately into the main
argument?
Clarity of prose, editing, and formatting: Is the periodization properly formatted, free from
grammatical, spelling and punctuation errors, composed in good, clear, simple English prose that
flows together, and cites sources appropriately?