Salem possessed the social origins of witchcraft summary

Taking Sides Essay, history homework help
Subject
Humanities

Question Description
Please write a 6 page essay,12 times roman, double spaced, MLA style, and rich text on the following Issue Taking sides essay:

Issue: Were Socioeconomic Tensions Responsible for the Witchcraft Hysteria in Salem?

YES: Paul Boyer and Stephen Nissenbaum, from Salem Possessed: The Social Origins of Witchcraft (Harvard University Press, 1974)

NO: Laurie Winn Carlson, from A Fever in Salem: A New Interpretation of the New England Witch Trials (Ivan R. Dee, 1999)

Paul Boyer and Stephen Nissenbaum argue that the Salem witchcraft hysteria of 1692 was prompted by economic and social tensions that occurred against the backdrop of an emergent commercial capitalism, conflicts between ministers and their congregations, and the loss of family lands, which divided the residents in Salem Town and Salem Village. Laurie Winn Carlson believes that the witchcraft hysteria in Salem was the product of people’s responses to physical and neurological behaviors resulting from an unrecognized epidemic of encephalitis.

Your essay should be composed of three main parts:

1. The introduction or opening paragraph of your essay should clearly convey to the reader that the debate takes place in Taking Sides, the topic of the debate, and the importance of the issue in regard to the historical time period in which the debate is centered. In addition, your introduction should summarize the varying viewpoints of the historians debating this topic. It is also important that you declare your thesis or your point of view concerning the issue being discussed in the introduction. You must pick a side, or present a new perspective/thesis to answer the question presented in the debate.

2. The body of your paper should consist of at least four sections. Begin with two paragraphs that explain each author's position and evidence (at least one paragraph explaining each author's position). Follow with at least one paragraph that explains your analysis of the authors’ evidence and ability to persuade the reader. Next presentyour thesis/point of view. Your point of view should be accompanied by an explanation of how you came to your conclusion. Be sure to offer a thorough explanation of your position, how you came to your conclusions and the evidence to support your position. Your evidence may include key points made by the authors in the Taking Sides essays or other outside sources.