Evaluate the achievements of the african empires, kingdoms and cities before the arrival of the Europeans?

[candylover]

My teacher gave me this essay to do and we only went over it 1-2 class periods. He wants this done January 30. We won't have classes this week so I can't ask him any questions. Could you please give me an intro or background information, or a thesis statement?

Thx in advance. =]

[factor-fiction]

Which text books have you looked at?
Start by trying to list the achievements- you will have covered them in class I'm sure. Then evaluate them

[WyeDyed]

It's a very broad question. Without knowing which areas you've covered it's is difficult to give any help.
I did put "the african empires, kingdoms and cities before the arrival of the Europeans" into a search engine and there are several hits. See which ones are helpful.

[factor-fiction]

Have you submitted and had any feedback on the other essays you have been asked to do (about which you came on here for help)?

[boxtops]

This is a huge topic - what have you already read up on about the pre-European era in Africa?

[factor-fiction]

I wonder whether the time has come to have a conversation with your tutor as you may need guidance on independent learning and using information you have covered in class

[boxtops]

That sounds like a good idea, factor - I'm not sure how much help candy's been able to glean from here in the past.

[candylover]

@factor30 I don't have a tutor. My teacher hasn't covered anything from this new chapter we are doing.

[boxtops]

I think by tutor, factor means your teacher in this case. It's what I understood from it.

[WyeDyed]

I don't understand why/how you are expected to write an essay, covering such a broad subject, when you have not studied any of the background.
How much are you expected to write and to what depth?

[maggiebee]

Since 21st December to date you have asked for assistance with 13 essays. No matter what stage you are at, do you not think this is rather excessive considering you do not appear to have done any course work. Of course you could just be taking the pi**!

[candylover]

@ Wyedyed I have to write 5 paragraphs
@maggiebee I have only posted 8 and I know that is a lot. The other 5 aren't essay's.

[boxtops]

5 paragraphs isn't exactly an essay then - more like highlights.

How much of Africa are you to include in this summary - can you include all the fabulous achievements of the ancient Egyptians and Ethiopians?

[DTCwordfan]

Why dont you just chose one example like the Ashanti and focus on that....plenty on web searches and I am sure your libraries have material too.

[Andyvon]

Hi Candylover,

'African' is very broad and covers a range of diverse peoples and cultures. If your essays are so short then I suggest you concentrate on just one African culture such as Ancient Egypt. There is such a wealth of knowledge about the Egyptian civilisation, and it is all so readily available, that must be a good start. However, you can't detail the 3000-year history of Pharonic Egypt in just a few paragraphs or pages. You could just concentrate on a few highlights such as pyramid building, mummification and the 67-year rule of King Rameses II.

The medieval trading centre of Timbuktu is one African city worth considering as are the trading routes across the Sahara. The travel memoirs of the Moroccan traveller Ibn Battuta are fascinating and well worth reading from the Internet or your library. Ibn Battuta spent his life travelling 70,000 miles around Africa, Europe, Russia, India and China in the first half of the 14th century and his travelogues are full of humour and detail. Ibn Battuta crossed the Sahara with salt caravans and he visited many African cities. His observations, thoughts and experiences are a very good record of North Africa and it's peoples over 750 years ago.

If you are unsure how to approach your essays, or have difficulty finding a topic to study, then perhaps you should talk with your teacher. After all, they give you these essays to encourage you to do your own research. That's how you learn and gain an education.

Look up and read Ibn Battuta. Good luck.

[Andyvon]

Any feedback from you for all the answers you've received Candy? perhaps we should just await the next essay your teacher set you.