All primary source readings are organized by topic for example, Classical Greece, The Renaissance, etc. Your Primary Source Paper should focus on not less than two of the primary source readings if the texts are short, feel free to discuss three or even four sources. Your paper should be based within one of the designated subject matter areas in other words there should be no cross-over between the areas. If possible, it is best if you select sources that take differing approaches on the same or similar issues. That will make the contrast and compare aspect of the paper more effective. Each Primary Source Paper must analyze primary sources only, and must be drawn from the primary sources posted on Blackboard. This is not a research paper. You should not quote, or rely upon, any sources other than the primary sources selected, except that you may quote the textbook is you wish, as further noted below. Having said that, I understand that you may be commenting or giving your opinions based on what you have read in the textbook or PowerPoints. Your Primary Source Paper should attempt to explain the main point of each text and incorporate the course themes in the essay [authority, law, religion, sovereignty, trade and economics, the individual and society, Greco-Roman and Judeo-Christian values, etc.] where appropriate. In the case where a text is short you may want to have more than one reading to support an idea on one side of the argument and one or more on the other. In addition to focusing on each specific text, you should also compare and contrast the texts in terms of style, approach to the issue raised, persuasiveness, clarity, etc. In short, while your focus is on the primary sources, your opinions are extremely relevant in the analysis. Each Primary Source Paper should be not less than 1,200 words. When I say words, I mean words in the body of the paper. In other words, any words on a cover page, footnotes or bibliography dont count toward the 1,200 word minimum. Please keep that in mind. While the body of the Paper shouldnt be less than 1,200 words, its fine if its 1,300 or even 1,400 words. But it should not be 1,000 words. Each paper must quote several times (minimum three per source) from each primary source as evidence, using footnotes (Chicago Manual of Style, CMS). Always 9 clearly state your claim/ idea first, and then quote from the source, then interpret the evidence considering your claim and idea. You will need to quote the most significant passages in order to support your claims. Keep the length of all quotations to a minimum [under 4 lines] and make certain that you interpret and point out the meaning of the text [texts are never obvious]. Quote only what you can explain: quotations are only evidence for the points you already make! Never quote the instructor or class notes.