The pre-Columbian civilizations in the Americas had many accomplishments. The European explorers and missionaries were often impressed what they found in the Americas.
“The center was surrounded with a very broad wall of dry stone eighth of a league in extent, with two narrow doorways; the wall itself was low. In the middle of the enclosure they built their temples, calling the largest Chichen Itza. These has many levels of stone. They built another circular temple, different from the others in the country, and with four entrances in line with directions. The temples were connected one with the other by stone paths and boulevards. Within the enclosure they also built houses for the lords.”
- Fray Diego de Landa describing the Maya in A Relation of the Things of the Yucatan
“This city has many public squares, in which are situated the markets and other places for buying and selling. There is one square twice as large as that of the city of Salamanca, surrounded by porticoes, where are daily assembled more than sixty thousand souls, engaged in buying, and selling; and where are found all kinds of merchandise that the world affords.”
- Hernan Cortes describing the Aztec in Second Letter to His Majesty King Charles V of Spain
“In all these capitals of the provinces, the Incas had temples of the Sun, mints, and many silversmiths who did nothing but work rich pieces of gold or fair vessels of silver; large garrisons were stationed there, and a steward who was in command of them all, to whom an accounting of everything that was brought in was made, and who, in turn, had to give one of all that was issued. At the beginning of the new year the rulers of each province came to Cuzco, to pay their tribute, bringing their quipus, which told how many births there had been during the year, and how many deaths.”
- Pedro de Cieza de Leon describing the Inka in Chronicles of the Incas
Civilizations of the Americas Achievement Paragraph Assignment
Rough Draft DUE: Monday 11/13 (A Day) or Tuesday 11/14 (B Day) by beginning of class
Final Draft DUE: Friday 11/17 by 4 PM
DATES
November 1/2: Introduce Assignment
November 3/6: Chicago Style Formatting & Direct Quotes/ Brainstorming / Work Period
November 7/8 and 9/10: Work Periods
Nov 13/14: Peer Review (Rough draft due on OneNote before beginning of class)
November 17: Paragraph Due (Final draft due on OneNote)
LENGTH: 1 Paragraph
SOURCES: World History Textbook, Library LibGuide
RESEARCH: Students may use their textbook for this assignment.
Students are required to use at least two different sources from the LibGuide.
CITATIONS: Chicago Style
TOPIC: Using the following prompt, write a thorough, organized, well developed, and well supported paragraph:
Which of the civilizations in the Americas produced the greatest achievement?
For this assignment, consider the following approaches:
CITATION REQUIREMENTS
You must have 3 direct quotations. The direct quotations MAY NOT be long quotes, a sentence or two should be sufficient. You will be required to include properly formatted footnote citations in connection with your direct quotations. One may be from your textbook, the other 2 must be from the LibGuide Sources.
TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
Students may not use resources outside of the libguide.
Rubric
Paragraph contains a thesis sentence: _______ /2 points
The first sentence is a thesis sentence that contains the central idea of the paragraph. The thesis sentence makes an argument and is specific. The thesis sentence outlines the three main points of the paragraph.
Evidence: _______ /6 points
The body of the paragraph uses three direct quotes to directly support the argument in the thesis sentence. Evidence is relevant and well-integrated into the paragraph.
Analysis: _______ /9 points
The main argument from the thesis sentence is clearly and effectively woven into the paragraph. Analysis explains HOW the evidence and supporting details presented in the paragraph support and prove the main argument stated in the thesis sentence. Analysis demonstrates a firm understanding of the thesis and connects the evidence to the directly to the thesis.
Writing is clear and logical: ______ /2 points
Structure of the paragraph is clear and easy to follow for the reader. Relationship between points is clear and the ideas flow smoothly from one to another.
Conclusion: _______ /2 points
Concluding sentence summarizes the main argument and all main points presented in the paragraph.
Writing mechanics: _______ /3 points
Writing incorporates the use of correct grammar, spelling, word choice, and sentence structure. Evidence is cited using correct Chicago Style footnotes.
Technical Requirements: _______/1 points
Student meets all outlined technical requirements, including length, margins, header, title, spacing.
_______ /25 points
Encyclopedia of Latin American History and Culture by 
Ancient America by 
The Gods and Symbols of Ancient Mexico and the Maya by 
The Lost Cities of the Mayas by 
Incas by 
The Mayas by 
Everyday Life of the Aztecs by 
Aztecs by 
Before Columbus by 
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