Topic: Should reparations be paid to individuals who can prove that they are the descendants of persons who were enslaved? Consider calculating the monetary value of an individual’s life given that enslaved persons worked their entire lives in most cases and generated great wealth for their owners but were never financially compensated for their labors. Can the value of a lifetime of labor during slavery be determined and then appreciated to today’s current economic equivalent? Why or why not? Consider the states and cities that are currently considering reparations legislation (including Maryland). Instructions: You are required to answer one of essay questions described below. The essay portion must be 4-5 pages in length, double-spaced, numbered, include 1 inch margins, use 12 point Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman font. Your essay must include a Works Cited page. The citation style of the Works Cited page may be either Chicago, APA, or MLA. The selected citations must be appropriate to the exam topic and the citations must support the assertions made in the exam. Your essay will include three main parts—the Thesis/Introduction, Argument, and Conclusion. The Introduction section should clearly state the thesis within the first 1-2 paragraphs. The thesis must be relevant and appropriate to the argument and demonstrate an accurate and complete understanding of the question. This section should make it clear which question you are answering, but it should do more than restate the question by offering a brief response and it should be free of grammar and spelling errors. The Argument section (3-4 pages) should incorporate pertinent details from the assigned readings but you may also use outside readings. The section must provide relevant historical evidence to support the thesis and the key claims made in the argument as needed. It should maintain focus and avoid sidetracking. It should present your answer to the question clearly and concisely in an organized manner and it should be free of grammar and spelling errors. The Conclusion section should be in the last part of your essay exam within the last 1-2 paragraphs. It should briefly restate the thesis and summarize the main points of the argument. It should also demonstrate insight and understanding regarding the question asked and it should be free of grammar and spelling errors.
