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Secondary Source Analysis Essay: Women and the Origins of Patriarchy

Purpose of the Essay

This essay asks you to compare and contrast how societies change over time and to analyze historical events in context, with particular attention to how gender, culture, religion, nationality, and social structures shape historical perspectives.

You will analyze secondary sources to examine the development of patriarchy in three ancient societies:

• Ancient Mesopotamia
• Ancient Egypt
• Israel

Your task is not to summarize what you read, but to analyze the authors main arguments, evaluate the evidence they use, and use those ideas to support your own historical argument.

Understanding Your Sources

Historians rely primarily on primary and secondary sources.

• A primary source is created during the time period being studied (e.g., artifacts, laws, diaries, inscriptions).
• A secondary source is created later by scholars who interpret and analyze primary sources.

For this essay, all assigned readings are secondary sources, even though they quote or use evidence from primary sources.

Assigned Secondary Sources

You will work with three readings:

1. World History Encyclopedia article:
2. . Although encyclopedias are usually tertiary sources, this peer-reviewed article qualifies as a secondary source because it analyzes primary evidence (to see what evidence the author uses, see his bibliography at the end of the article).
3. Women in World History, Vol. 1: Readings from Prehistory to 1500

Be aware: all secondary sources reflect authorial choices and biases, including which evidence is emphasized or omitted. Your analysis should focus on the authors interpretations, not on whether they tell the whole story.

Central Question of the Essay

Using only the assigned readings, analyze what these authors argue about:

• the roles of women
• the development of patriarchy
• and how womens lives differed across Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Israel

Approach the readings as a historian asking:

• What claims are the authors making?
• What evidence do they use?
• How do these arguments help explain the emergence of patriarchy in these societies?

What This Essay Isand Is Not

This essay IS:

• An analysis of secondary sources
• A narrative argument supported by evidence
• An opportunity to show that you can identify and evaluate historians interpretations

This essay is NOT:

• A summary of the readings
• A list of facts about women in the ancient world
• A place to introduce outside or online sources

Steps to Writing the Essay

Step 1: Take Analytical Notes

As you read each source:

• Identify the authors main ideas
• Note how each author explains womens roles and social status
• Pay attention to similarities and differences across societies

Step 2: Connect the Authors Ideas

Review your notes and ask:

• How do the authors arguments relate to one another?
• What do these readings collectively suggest about patriarchys origins?

Step 3: Develop a Thesis

Your thesis should:

• Take a clear position on how patriarchy developed in these societies
• Be based on the authors argumentsnot your personal opinion alone
• Guide the structure of your essay

You have practiced thesis-building in discussions; apply that skill here.

Evidence and Citation Requirements

• You must include word-for-word quotations from each of the three readings
• Quotes must be:
• In quotation marks
• Cited with Chicago-style footnotes
• Paraphrased material that is not common knowledge must also be cited
• Only footnotes are permitted
• No MLA parenthetical citations
• No endnotes

Citation Examples

World History Encyclopedia (first citation):

Joshua J. Mark, World History Encyclopedia, Women in Ancient Mesopotamia,

Subsequent citation:

Mark, Women in Ancient Mesopotamia.

Women in World History (first citation):

Sarah Shaver Hughes and Brady Hughes, Women in World History, Vol. 1: Readings from Prehistory to 1500 (New York: Routledge, 2015), page number.

Subsequent citation:

Hughes, Women in World History, page number.

Academic Integrity

• Use your own words
• Cite all quotes and paraphrases
• Turnitin is enabled
• AI-generated or plagiarized writing will receive no credit

You may revise and resubmit your essay before the deadline. Only the final submission will be graded.

Formatting & Submission Requirements

• Length: Minimum 3 full pages (1000 words); maximum 5 pages
• Format:
• Double-spaced
• 12-point font
• File type:
• .docx (Microsoft Word) or Google Docs
• No .pdf or .rtf files

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Due Date & Value

• Due: Monday, February 15 by 11:59 p.m.
• Value: 100 points (10% of final course grade)

Learning Outcomes Met

This assignment meets Learning Outcomes 16 and 8, including:

• Constructing historical knowledge using secondary sources
• Analyzing continuity and change over time
• Developing evidence-based historical arguments
• Comparing societies and institutions
• Identifying perspectives and interpretations in historical writing

Due on Feb 15, 2026 11:59 PM

Available until Feb 15, 2026 11:59 PM. Submission restricted after availability ends.