1. Topic Sentence: Irrigation, the wheel, the plow, and the domestication of animals helped the growth of Mesopotamian civilization. 1

2. Main Point #1: First, irrigation helped the growth of Mesopotamian civilization.2

3. Evidence and Explanation: Because it was between two rivers, Mesopotamia used irrigation to grow crops. 3

4. Evidence and Explanation: By growing more crops, Mesopotamia fed its own people and created a surplus for trade. 4

5. Main Point #2: Seond, the wheel helped the growth of Mesopotamian civilization.5

6. Evidence and Explanation: The wheel was invented in Sumer, a society in Ancient Mesopotamia.6

7. Evidence and Explanation: The wheel was used for chariots, which made Sumer’s military stronger.7

8. Evidence and Explanation: The wheel was used for pulling plows, which made the land more fertile.8

9. Main Point #3: Third, the plow helped the growth of Mesopotamian civilization.9

10. Evidence and Explanation: The plow was invented in Mesopotamia.10

11. Evidence and Explanation: The plow turned over dirt as it was dragged over land.11

12. Evidence and Explanation: By turning over dirt the plow made the land more fertile, which helped to feed the population of Mesopotamia and create a surplus. 12

13. Main Point #4: Fourth, the domestication of animals helped the growth of Mesopotamian civilization.13

14. Evidence and Explanation: Oxen were first domesticated in Mesopotamia.14

15. Evidence and Explanation: Oxen pulled heavier plows than humans.15

16. Evidence and Explanation: Oxen pulled plows more quickly than humans.16

17. Evidence and Explanation: By domesticating oxen to pull plows, Mesopotamia grew more food.17

18. More Fertile Mesopotamia
Conclusion: In conclusion, irrigation, the wheel, the plow, and the domestication of animals helped the growth of Mesopotamian civilization by making the area more fertile.
More Fertile Mesopotamia 18