Best answer gets -paragraph 1: this is where you introduce your topic. the first sentence should be a "hook" sentence where you grab your audience's attention. towards the end, you state the side you are on (ancient asia or ancient africa). also, an introduction that explains the topic of contributions and states both claims -paragraph #2: this is where the bulk of your argument/persuasion will come. you want to use at least 5 examples and elaborate on all five examples to explain how life has changed due to the contributions of either ancient asia or ancient africa. ***this is also where you include your counter argument counter-argument example: for example, the ancient africans were responsible for the production of iron with the kush dynasty. this society because now people could have stronger armor, weapons, and tools. (here comes the counter argument). although africa did provide iron as a valuable resource, they created iron at the expense of the environment. in order to create the iron, the ancient africans had to smelt the iron by cutting down thousands of trees and hurting the environment. on the other hand, the people of ancient china creating things like the compass and the fishing wheel which society grow in terms of exploration and food. (*the counter argument above is simply an example. you will have to use your own) paragraph #3: this is your conclusion. this is where you want to buy in your audience 1 more time. introduce 1-2 new things you did not mention and reemphasize your counter argument. my recommendation, select ancient asia (because they have more examples to choose from): ancient asia contributions (from the course): -silk making -iron-forging -common money and laws -multiplication table -cast iron -stirrups (for riding horses) -magnetic compass -gunpowder -rudder for boats -paper-making -fishing reel -wheelbarrow -compass -hot-air balloon -smallpox vaccine -mechanical clock ancient africa contributions (from the course): -pyramids -papyrus -gold -salt -iron