Writing a DBQ essay Taking SEEI and using that same strategy to write a coherent paragraph.

SEEI Method S – State or Define (word, topic, claim or concept) E – Elaborate or Clarify (expound on the concept, provide clearer background info) E – Exemplify (give a concrete example from the text or real life) I – Illustrate (provide an analogy or metaphor to clarify your position and connect to the claim)

SEEI in paragraph form S – Make your specific claim (one per paragraph) E – Elaborate (provide background on this one claim) Who? What? When? Where? E – Exemplify (provide a concrete example to support this one claim) I – Illustrate (breakdown the example and connect it back to the claim of the paragraph) T – Transition (lead from one claim to the next)

Organizing Your ideas An important step when answering a DBQ question or writing an essay is to organize your evidence into analytical categories or “buckets.” The “buckets” can help you link up common pieces of evidence and help you identify when they may be used appropriately.

P-E-R-S-I-A A commonly used bucketing tool is the acronym PERSIA. P – Politics (references to government, political leaders, war, law/rules) E – Economics (money/wealth, resources, trade) R – Religion (Beliefs, Religious institutions, Religious practices, god(s), etc.)

S – Social Issues (Crime, interaction between races, issues of sexuality, gender relations, age relations, topics relating to culture) I – Ideas/Ideology (Philosophy, Technological advances, Theories, Issues related to math and science) A – Arts/Architecture (Buildings, sculpture, paintings, visual representations) * Assign a category to each of the documents/topics and then attempt to link them.

Outlining … setting up your paper Once you have successfully bucketed your documents … the next step is organizing an outline. Remember the focus question: “How did colonization affect Kenya?”

Setting up your outline First: Determine your position on the central question. Your thesis is your main argument. Second: Determine how you will make your argument. (Roadmap) “I intend to prove {Argument} by demonstrating _____(Claim 1)______, ___(Claim 2)___ and __(Claim 3)__.”

Use your Roadmap to set up your paper Introduction (Thesis & Roadmap) Body Paragraph #1 (Focus on Claim 1) {Include relevant evidence from documents} Body Paragraph #2 (Focus on Claim 2) {Include relevant evidence from documents} Body Paragraph #3 (Focus on Claim 3) {Include relevant evidence from documents} Conclusion (Restatement of thesis and roadmap)

Citing the source Citations: Phrases taken directly from the source (document). Must use quotation marks “ “ Example: “many Africans saw colonization in Africa as a progressive and civilizing force …” (Doc F). * Remember to then explain the meaning of the quote and how it relates to your claim.

Making the transition Transitions sentences: Come at the beginning and end of each paragraph. These are extremely important for bridging one idea to the next. Remember: Your argument needs to make logical sense … it is YOUR job … NOT THE READER’s job… to make these connections. Example: The Romans not only had a high tolerance for violence, like Americans, they also spent a large amount of their resources on warfare.

Introduction Grabber Statement (attempts to grab the reader’s attention) Background Information (Time, place, participants) Thesis statement (your main argument) Roadmap (guide for your essay)

Conclusion Restatement of thesis (should not be word for word) Address how you have proven your case (draw on the roadmap) Address any unique points you discussed Explanation of why the question is important today (what will happen if the issue is not addressed?) Final statement (why this particular issue is important)