a box entitled “Analyzing Primary Sources” which contains a letter from Galileo defending himself and his work. This document can also be found in this course’s module “Writing Assignment.” At the end of this document are three “Questions for Analysis.” In this writing assignment, you are to compose a brief essay in which you answer those three questions. Your essay must have a clear thesis, and you should emphasize Galileo’s values, how those values led him to act, and how he would have regarded the result of those actions. Your essay will be graded on three criteria: 1) critical thinking, primarily your statement of thesis and your analysis of Galileo’s letter to support your thesis; 2) writing, including clarity and grammar, spelling, etc.; and 3) ethical/cultural perspective, meaning the degree to which you understand and present the values and positions of Galileo and someone who might disagree with him (Question for Analysis #3).
Your writing assignment must be in an essay format. It should have a thesis, a body in which you use evidence-based arguments to support your thesis, and a conclusion. You do not have to refer to any other source besides the document, but you may use other sources if you wish, including the textbook. If you do use other sources, they must be fully identified: author, title of book (or website, or name of article and periodical in which it appeared), the publisher (or website host) and date of publication (or internet access.) The use of footnotes, endnotes and parentheses for citing sources are all acceptable. Again, using a source other than the document you are analyzing is NOT required but is permitted.
