Assignment: What caused the Sepoy Rebellion? Document Analysis

WORLD HISTORY-B
2025-08-15T02:50:11Z

Due:

Directions

You are going to answer the question "What caused the Sepoy Rebellion?" using primary sources. These primary sources are from the perspectives of the British in India, people living in India, as well as a historian.

For each document | For the Paragraph (Day 4, 12/10) | What am I turning in?

Read through the document carefully- read through as many times as you need to!

Circle words you don't know. Then, look up their definition and write it on the paper.

Highlight at least two important or significant phrases

Write two (2) notes in the margins

Answer all of the analysis questions

First, write a final claim (thesis) answering the question: What caused the Sepoy Rebellion?

Then, do a mini-outline of what your body paragraphs would be about if you were writing an essay on this topic.

Reminders about thesis statements and the mini outline are below!

Thesis due by 11:59pm Wednesday 12/10

Paragraph due to Canvas by11:59pm Thursday 12/11

Due to the BOX by the start of class Friday 12/12

All 5 annotated documents (5 pts)

Completed analysis questions (20 pts)

Day 1: Friday 12/5

Document A, analysis questions (PDF)

Today, you are reading through documents A and B. For each document, remember to annotate and answer the analysis questions.

If you finish early, move on to Documents C and D

Day 2: Monday 12/8

Documents A, B, and C , analysis questions (PDF)

Today, you are reading through documents A, B, and potentially C. For each document, remember to annotate and answer the analysis questions

If you finish early, move on to Document D and E

Day 3: Tuesday 12/9

Finish Documents C and D, move to Document E and the claim

Today, you are reading documents C, D, and E. Remember to annotate and answer the analysis questions.

After you finish analyzing all 5 documents, you are..

Keeping the papers with you, so we can use them tomorrow

Day 4: Wednesday 12/10

Use documents as well as thesis statement (from Tuesday) to write a paragraph that answers the question "What caused the Sepoy Rebellion?

Review of how to write a thesis statement

What is a thesis?

A thesis is your argument that answers an essential question

It is one sentence long

A thesis has 3 main parts

Part 1: What is your answer to the question?

Part 2: How your claim is supported.

This is your reasoning, and the section often starts with “because”

Part 3: So what- why does your argument matter, or why is the argument important?

Make sure to color code your thesis

Yellow = Your answer to the question

Purple = Your reasoning

Blue = So what: Why does your argument matter? Why is what you are talking about significant?

Example thesis: The best candy is Starburst because it comes in a variety of flavors and does not have chocolate in it, which means that it would appeal to more people than any other candy.

Example Thesis: African empires used architecture to show their power by building large structures because it displays their land, materials, and wealth which allows outsiders to look at these buildings and recognize the power and status of that empire.

How to write a "Single Paragraph Outline"

A thesis is an argument that is often used to guide an argumentative paragraph or essay

A single paragraph outline will help you organize your paragraph

For each point in your single paragraph outline, write what documents you would use in that paragraph

When you complete outline, you may find that your thesis needs revision. It is totally okay to revise your thesis! :)

For example, you may need to add more detail to your thesis or change a topic to match your thesis

Fill-in-the-Blank Single Paragraph Outline

Thesis (1-2 sentences): Your argument / answer to the question

Background Information

Point 1

Evidence 1

Evidence 2

Point 2

Evidence 1

Evidence 2

Point 3

Evidence 1

Evidence 2

Conclusion sentence: Restates argument in new words, and emphasizes why the topic is important

NOTES:

Thesis and Conclusion sentence are full sentences

Points should NOT be in full sentences, think of them as brief notes to yourself about details, evidence, or a part of your argument. Include the evidence you want to use

Make sure points/details are in a logical order. Chronological (time) order is usually best Reorder if needed

Example Single Paragraph Outline

Question: Why is the time period between 1750-1850 known as the “Age of Revolution”?

Thesis: This time is known as the “Age of Revolution” because of the amount of Enlightenment inspired revolutions that transformed political systems and advocated for people’s rights. While the legacy of these revolutions is challenged today as some democracies erode, it is imperative to understand the sacrifices made to implement democratic governments and the responsibility people have to maintain and better those systems.

Background Info: Enlightenment ideas challenged/critiqued things (like absolute monarchies) + inspired revolutions.

Point 1: US Revolution- replaced colonial monarchy with representative democracy (separation of powers)

Evidence 1: "insert quote here" (Doc A)

Evidence 2: Paraphrased evidence here (Doc C)

Point 2: French revolution- replaced absolute rulers (monarch) with democracy, advocated for equal rights for all

Evidence 1: "insert quote here" (Doc B)

Evidence 2: Paraphrased evidence here (Doc B)

Point 3: Haitian revolution- Equal rights didn’t apply to enslaved people in Saint Domingue. Went from a French colony to an independent nation- enslaved people liberated

Evidence 1: "insert quote here" (Doc E)

Evidence 2: Paraphrased evidence here (Doc A)

Conclusion: These global political revolutions replaced authoritarian governments with democracies where elected leaders represented their people and fought for their rights.

How to write a paragraph

Start paragraph with your thesis statement

Should be 8-10 sentences, 12 max

End with a conclusion sentence that wraps up your paragraph

Paragraph Outline:

1.Thesis, 1 sentence (2 max)

1.Your answer to the question

2.Transition from thesis to first piece of evidence

3.Evidence

1.Quote OR paraphrased

2.Cite with attributive tag OR internal citation

4.Reasoning

1.Explain your evidence + how it supports your argument

5.Evidence 2

6.Reasoning 2

7. Evidence 3- this can be a counterargument that you refute (prove incorrect), OR you can choose another piece of evidence to support your own thesis

8. Reasoning 3

9.Conclusion sentence

1.Transitions from this body paragraph to your second body paragraph

Directions

You are going to answer the question "What caused the Sepoy Rebellion?" using primary sources. These primary sources are from the perspectives of the British in India, people living in India, as well as a historian.

For each document | For the Paragraph (Day 4, 12/10) | What am I turning in?

Read through the document carefully- read through as many times as you need to!

Circle words you don't know. Then, look up their definition and write it on the paper.

Highlight at least two important or significant phrases

Write two (2) notes in the margins

Answer all of the analysis questions

First, write a final claim (thesis) answering the question: What caused the Sepoy Rebellion?

Then, do a mini-outline of what your body paragraphs would be about if you were writing an essay on this topic.

Reminders about thesis statements and the mini outline are below!

Thesis due by 11:59pm Wednesday 12/10

Paragraph due to Canvas by11:59pm Thursday 12/11

Due to the BOX by the start of class Friday 12/12

All 5 annotated documents (5 pts)

Completed analysis questions (20 pts)

Day 1: Friday 12/5

Document A, analysis questions (PDF)

Today, you are reading through documents A and B. For each document, remember to annotate and answer the analysis questions.

If you finish early, move on to Documents C and D

Day 2: Monday 12/8

Documents A, B, and C , analysis questions (PDF)

Today, you are reading through documents A, B, and potentially C. For each document, remember to annotate and answer the analysis questions

If you finish early, move on to Document D and E

Day 3: Tuesday 12/9

Finish Documents C and D, move to Document E and the claim

Today, you are reading documents C, D, and E. Remember to annotate and answer the analysis questions.

After you finish analyzing all 5 documents, you are..

Keeping the papers with you, so we can use them tomorrow

Day 4: Wednesday 12/10

Use documents as well as thesis statement (from Tuesday) to write a paragraph that answers the question "What caused the Sepoy Rebellion?

Review of how to write a thesis statement

What is a thesis?

A thesis is your argument that answers an essential question

It is one sentence long

A thesis has 3 main parts

Part 1: What is your answer to the question?

Part 2: How your claim is supported.

This is your reasoning, and the section often starts with “because”

Part 3: So what- why does your argument matter, or why is the argument important?

Make sure to color code your thesis

Yellow = Your answer to the question

Purple = Your reasoning

Blue = So what: Why does your argument matter? Why is what you are talking about significant?

Example thesis: The best candy is Starburst because it comes in a variety of flavors and does not have chocolate in it, which means that it would appeal to more people than any other candy.

Example Thesis: African empires used architecture to show their power by building large structures because it displays their land, materials, and wealth which allows outsiders to look at these buildings and recognize the power and status of that empire.

How to write a "Single Paragraph Outline"

A thesis is an argument that is often used to guide an argumentative paragraph or essay

A single paragraph outline will help you organize your paragraph

For each point in your single paragraph outline, write what documents you would use in that paragraph

When you complete outline, you may find that your thesis needs revision. It is totally okay to revise your thesis! :)

For example, you may need to add more detail to your thesis or change a topic to match your thesis

Fill-in-the-Blank Single Paragraph Outline

Thesis (1-2 sentences): Your argument / answer to the question

Background Information

Point 1

Evidence 1

Evidence 2

Point 2

Evidence 1

Evidence 2

Point 3

Evidence 1

Evidence 2

Conclusion sentence: Restates argument in new words, and emphasizes why the topic is important

NOTES:

Thesis and Conclusion sentence are full sentences

Points should NOT be in full sentences, think of them as brief notes to yourself about details, evidence, or a part of your argument. Include the evidence you want to use

Make sure points/details are in a logical order. Chronological (time) order is usually best Reorder if needed

Example Single Paragraph Outline

Question: Why is the time period between 1750-1850 known as the “Age of Revolution”?

Thesis: This time is known as the “Age of Revolution” because of the amount of Enlightenment inspired revolutions that transformed political systems and advocated for people’s rights. While the legacy of these revolutions is challenged today as some democracies erode, it is imperative to understand the sacrifices made to implement democratic governments and the responsibility people have to maintain and better those systems.

Background Info: Enlightenment ideas challenged/critiqued things (like absolute monarchies) + inspired revolutions.

Point 1: US Revolution- replaced colonial monarchy with representative democracy (separation of powers)

Evidence 1: "insert quote here" (Doc A)

Evidence 2: Paraphrased evidence here (Doc C)

Point 2: French revolution- replaced absolute rulers (monarch) with democracy, advocated for equal rights for all

Evidence 1: "insert quote here" (Doc B)

Evidence 2: Paraphrased evidence here (Doc B)

Point 3: Haitian revolution- Equal rights didn’t apply to enslaved people in Saint Domingue. Went from a French colony to an independent nation- enslaved people liberated

Evidence 1: "insert quote here" (Doc E)

Evidence 2: Paraphrased evidence here (Doc A)

Conclusion: These global political revolutions replaced authoritarian governments with democracies where elected leaders represented their people and fought for their rights.

How to write a paragraph

Start paragraph with your thesis statement

Should be 8-10 sentences, 12 max

End with a conclusion sentence that wraps up your paragraph

Paragraph Outline:

1.Thesis, 1 sentence (2 max)

1.Your answer to the question

2.Transition from thesis to first piece of evidence

3.Evidence

1.Quote OR paraphrased

2.Cite with attributive tag OR internal citation

4.Reasoning

1.Explain your evidence + how it supports your argument

5.Evidence 2

6.Reasoning 2

7. Evidence 3- this can be a counterargument that you refute (prove incorrect), OR you can choose another piece of evidence to support your own thesis

8. Reasoning 3

9.Conclusion sentence

1.Transitions from this body paragraph to your second body paragraph