Madeline Barnard Essays - Religion, Culture, Cultural Anthropology

Madeline Barnard Professor Coffey HS/102/01 September 20, 2016 European Witch Hunts The European witch-hunt lasted for sixty years causing constant turmoil throughout Europe. Due to the constant tension, women started to be accused of witchcraft. Religious conviction and science caused many questions to appear, as people started to panic about the alleged "witches". From 1570 to 1630 women were being targeted for witchcraft. Most people believed these women were witches because of their sex, their economic or social status, or because they were considered vulnerable. Due to the fact vulnerable women were thought to lack power and family support, they were common targets of the accusers. The women that were targeted also were "usually impoverished" (Hoak 1271). Also, Europe during this time period was war stricken and was facing a social upheaval, so resources were very scarce. This is how witch hunters justified their actions of eliminating "witches". People believed that these helpless women wanted more power to control their enemies and that's why they participated in witchcraft. I believe that that the socioeconomic conditions of this time period had a tremendous impact on the witch craze. For example, there was a lack of resources, which made life a challenge for the "witches" but their accusers as well. The accuser had no problem killing off "witches" due to the socioeconomic issues. Additionally, I feel as though the Scientific Revolution and the Reformation both played a major part in the witch craze. For instance, the Reformation made people feel as though god was not present in everyday life. As seen in the textbook on page 49, Protestants thought, " the symbols and rituals have provided a sense of protection" (text) were missing. As more questions arose about science people began to question everyday life and the unknown. Which contributed to the witch-hunt, craze and caused many questions to arise. I think that because everyone was questioning science they needed something to believe and that's were witches came in. By attempting to reconcile religious conviction with science it brought on the witch-hunts. I strongly agree with Dale Hoak's assessment of the witch craze because witch hunting appears to have been a socially destructive by product of the European transition to modernity.

The Difference Between an Informative Essay and a Descriptive Essay

The Difference Between an Informative Essay and a Descriptive Essay The Difference Between an Informative Essay and a Descriptive Essay Essays help gauge a writer’s understanding of a topic, and many teachers require students to submit them as part of their academic curriculum. Essays can improve both written and communication skills, improving a person’s spelling and grammar. In an academic setting, informative essays are usually the most likely to be assigned. However, they are often confused with descriptive essays; both communicate with their audience. Read on to understand the difference between an informative essay and a descriptive essay: Informative Essay This is a piece of writing that educates the reader about a specific topic. An informative essay takes a neutral stand, much like a journalism piece. It doesn’t present arguments or try to persuade the reader to change their opinions or beliefs. It presents facts. Descriptive Essay A descriptive essay gives the readers a vivid depiction of a person, event, object, or place. A good descriptive essay is not necessarily based on statistics and facts, but on an artistic representation of a specific topic. The goal is to give the reader a well-rounded impression of what you are trying to convey. How to Tell the Difference While it may seem difficult to differentiate between an informative essay and a descriptive one, they each have distinctive features: An informative essay is focused on research-based facts and statistics, while a descriptive essay allows the writer more artistic freedom of expression. An informative essay is strictly objective, while a descriptive essay may depend on the perception of the writer. For example, if you’re writing about about the history of Niagara Falls, it would be considered an informative essay. On the other hand, writing about the beauty of the Falls would be considered a descriptive piece. Essay-writing Tips Choose your topic When considering your essay topic, choose a subject you find interesting. A topic that is either too broad or difficult to cover may not be a good choice. Instead, narrow your subject to address a specific question or issue. This also keeps readers engaged and helps them understand what you’re trying to convey. Stay faithful to the essay type Knowing the difference between an informative and descriptive essay will help you comply with the assignment, ensuring that you have a greater understanding of the essay’s ultimate goal. When writing an informative essay, stick to well-researched facts. Review whether the sources you cite are reliable. When writing a descriptive essay, be creative with the words you use. Be mindful that everything is written correctly: review grammar, spelling, and word usage. Incorporate the five senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch) when writing your descriptive piece. Edit your work more than once Your first draft will not be perfect, and that’s okay. Reread your piece and determine how it can be improved. You may wish to ask a trusted friend, fellow student, or loved one to go over what you’ve written to help determine areas that need strengthening. Some students find essay writing difficult, but when you’ve done your research and have chosen a topic that interests you, it can be enjoyable and informative. offers assistance with essay writing at any level.