Based upon your understanding of primary source readings, information from the
lectures, and textbook readings from this class, explain which of the following interpretations of
the Salem Witch Crisis of 1692 you find most convincing and why. Pick only ONE. Your
response MUST include a logically constructed thesis statement (argument) within the first
paragraph, followed by analysis and explanation of your historical examples throughout the rest
of the paper. Mere description is not sufficient. You must use at least THREE primary
sources and TWO secondary sources. The approved primary sources you reviewed for your
Primary Source Responses, and they have also been copied in this assignment packet for your
convenience, along with a selection of additional secondary sources. Your textbook and course
lectures are acceptable secondary sources. Pro tip: explain not only the strengths of the argument
you find most convincing, but also address its potential weaknesses.
• Pre-existing social tensions in Salem over land, social status, and money precipitated the
witch trials. Changes in wealth, past legal and personal disputes, and location of physical
residence in Salem Village resulted in accusations that spiraled out of control.
• Participants in the Salem Witch Crisis responded to collective trauma resulting from the
recent string of devastating Indian wars. Survivors grappling with personal loss, in a
framework of sin and punishment, lashed out at one another and at the Puritan
establishment. The trials became an outlet and rationalization for their trauma.
Construction and Organization: Your paper should build a step-by-step explanation for your
overall argument. An effective paper must be organized into logical paragraphs that connect to
your argument. All claims must be convincingly supported by evidence. Historical analysis has
no use for personal opinions. Write clearly and directly. Avoid puffing up your paper with
flowery prose. All papers must contain the following:
• An introduction paragraph that states your argument clearly and maps out your paper.
Your argument/thesis should be the final sentence of your introduction. The introduction
does not review background information. Do not fill your introduction with broad
generalizations and vague hints meant to build “suspense.” Get straight to the point.
o Pro tip: re-write your introduction after finishing your paper so you can easily
outline your case.
• Each supporting claim within your argument should get its own body paragraph,
explaining how the source(s) support that claim. Connect each example to your thesis.
Make sure each paragraph offers analysis, not just description. An effective paper will
require 3-5 pages, which for most people works out to at least five body paragraphs.
• Build to a logically constructed conclusion, drawing together the evidence you have
provided, connecting all of it to your argument, and explaining why it is important.
Format: Papers should be 3-5 pages in length, 12-point Times New Roman font, standard 8.5×11
size, with 1-inch margins. Double-space everything except the heading.
Using and Citing Sources: Engage the sources; make sure you explain to your reader how and
what the source indicates. Because this assignment requires you to analyze evidence, you should
start by reviewing all of the sources and deciding which argument you find most convincing. Do
not try writing your paper first and then going back and “dropping” in quotes. The result will at
best be disjointed and poorly explained.
With every source, you must explain how that source supports your argument. Any person,
object, or event that is not general knowledge must be identified when first introduced. For
example, if you were quoting Cotton Mather on witchcraft, you should explain that he was one
of New England’s most influential theologians and scholars. However, you should not waste
space defining the word witchcraft. Vocabulary is common knowledge. Cotton Mather is not.
Cite sources in parentheses at the end of each paragraph. Cite readings by author name and title.
Cite lectures by name, title (according to the syllabus), and date. No outside sources. This means
you can use as secondary sources the textbook and course lectures, and the primary and
secondary sources provided in this assignment. REPEAT: use ONLY the sources provided.
Please note that citation format described above has been simplified for introductory courses. It
does not represent proper Chicago Manual of Style standards. Do not use this formatting as a
guide for formal APA or Chicago style citations.
PRIMARY SOURCES
Ask the following questions as you read:
• Who is the author and/or speaker?
• Does the source seem to have an informed and/or important perspective on events?
• What are they talking about?
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