Focus Question: Should ancient Sumer be considered an advanced civilization?
Congratulations, you have been hired by a major publishing company to write a booklet about Sumer. The purpose of your booklet is to prove that Sumer should be considered an advanced civilization.
Written Guidelines
Paragraph #1: Introduction/Background—Be sure to include the following information:
- A thesis statement that answers the focus question
- when people first settled in Sumer
- where Sumer was located
- the fact that Sumer was divided into city-states; be sure to explain what a city-state is
- how government worked in Sumer (in other words, who was it ruled by?)
- type of religion practiced in Sumer
Paragraph #2:Supporting Evidence: First Written Language
Be sure to include all of the required information:
- a topic sentence that explains where the first writing system developed
- name of the Sumerian writing system
- what Sumerians wrote on
- description of the tool used to write
- an example of what Sumerians wrote
- any other related information about writing that you would like to include
Paragraph #3:Supporting Evidence:Other Achievements (technology, math, science, architecture, and art)
Be sure to include all of the required information:
- a topic sentence that explains what this paragraph will be about
- describe one achievement related to Science, Math, or Technology
- explain the significance of this achievement (ex. why the achievement was important, how the achievement improved the quality of life, etc.)
- describe one achievement related to Art or Architecture
- explain the significance of this achievement (ex. why the achievement was important, how the achievement improved the quality of life, etc.)
Paragraph #4: Concluding Paragraph
- rephrase your thesis statement
- answer the following question: Which of the ancient Sumerians’ achievements do you think has had the greatest impact on history? Why? (In other words, which Sumerian achievement is the most important? Why?)
Visual Guidelines
Cover:
- Create a title for your booklet. Make sure that your cover’s title relates to the focus question.
- Create a drawing or design for your booklet’s cover. You must use color; this should be eye-catching.
- In the bottom right hand corner of your booklet, write your name.
Illustration:
- On the blank page to the left of page 1, you will create a visual that illustrates one or more of the advancements made by the ancient Sumerians. This illustration needs to include color. Be sure to include a caption with your visual.