Process Paper
Why I chose this topic:
This year in American Literature, we are reading the crucible and we became so fascinated with the tragedy. Especially considering the fact that my mom grew up in Salem but we had not learned ample details regarding the trials. After learning different opinions and taking a trip to Salem we found contradictions in the research. Most sources believed that it was a false occurrence and a scheme due to those suffering from land lust and those bored with their normal lives. These scholars believed there never were witches in Salem and the vindictive people who said otherwise had seventeen innocent people killed and two dogs. However, the people of Salem believe that witches still roam Salem today, hiding in the shadows, fearing another witch trial. Therefore, we decided to reevaluate the mystery of 1692 by making it my topic for our National History Day project.
How I conducted my research:
First, we went on the internet at school. Then after consulting with the school librarian she directed us towards a few websites to use as secondary sources. Later on at home, we found a number of sources from a librarian in Salem, Massachusetts who led us to a website with first hand transcripts from the court trials. This was a crucial primary source. After checking out a few books from both our school library and public libraries in the area we had enough information to begin our website on the witch trials.
How I created and developed my exhibit;
First, we went to weebly.com, which is website a created to help you form a free website. We created several different tabs, which are available for viewing and contain important information. This includes, but is not limited to: home, background, and sources. The site is extremely dynamic with a plethora of pictures and is aesthetically pleasing.
How My Project Relates to the Theme:
The theme of this year’s National History Day project is rights and responsibilities in history. The Salem witch trials fits this topic because the townsfolk of Salem believed it was their responsibility to cleanse their community of lowly beggars. Native Americans, diseases, crimes or satanic behaviors such as witches were all forms of evil the Puritans needed to exterminate. However, in doing so they violated certain civil rights of those accused of witchcraft. Their lives, property, and reputations were destroyed beyond repair. Therefore, seventeen innocent people and two dogs were wrongfully murdered.
Why I chose this topic:
This year in American Literature, we are reading the crucible and we became so fascinated with the tragedy. Especially considering the fact that my mom grew up in Salem but we had not learned ample details regarding the trials. After learning different opinions and taking a trip to Salem we found contradictions in the research. Most sources believed that it was a false occurrence and a scheme due to those suffering from land lust and those bored with their normal lives. These scholars believed there never were witches in Salem and the vindictive people who said otherwise had seventeen innocent people killed and two dogs. However, the people of Salem believe that witches still roam Salem today, hiding in the shadows, fearing another witch trial. Therefore, we decided to reevaluate the mystery of 1692 by making it my topic for our National History Day project.
How I conducted my research:
First, we went on the internet at school. Then after consulting with the school librarian she directed us towards a few websites to use as secondary sources. Later on at home, we found a number of sources from a librarian in Salem, Massachusetts who led us to a website with first hand transcripts from the court trials. This was a crucial primary source. After checking out a few books from both our school library and public libraries in the area we had enough information to begin our website on the witch trials.
How I created and developed my exhibit;
First, we went to weebly.com, which is website a created to help you form a free website. We created several different tabs, which are available for viewing and contain important information. This includes, but is not limited to: home, background, and sources. The site is extremely dynamic with a plethora of pictures and is aesthetically pleasing.
How My Project Relates to the Theme:
The theme of this year’s National History Day project is rights and responsibilities in history. The Salem witch trials fits this topic because the townsfolk of Salem believed it was their responsibility to cleanse their community of lowly beggars. Native Americans, diseases, crimes or satanic behaviors such as witches were all forms of evil the Puritans needed to exterminate. However, in doing so they violated certain civil rights of those accused of witchcraft. Their lives, property, and reputations were destroyed beyond repair. Therefore, seventeen innocent people and two dogs were wrongfully murdered.