ESSAY PREPARATION

QUESTION ASSESSMENT Ask yourself- what does the question want me to do? Circle all catch words- particularly verbs and adverbs Create a quick list of possible areas to analyze- if not provided Identify time period Make a quick list of all terms related to the question

Step Two- Writing a Thesis Every thesis should Specifically address the question asked Provide categories to analyze the question Pick a side

Step Two- Writing a Thesis Thesis Dos Be focused and brief Use quantifiers If dates are used in the question- use era title in the thesis Write your practice thesis on the exam question page first Thesis Donts Restate the question- Use the same verbs and catch words as the question Use first person

PRACTICE QUESTION 1 Analyze the extent to which the American Revolution represented a radical alteration in American political ideas and institutions. Confine your answer to the period between 1775 and 1800.

PRACTICE QUESTION 2 Discuss with respect to TWO of the following, the view that the 1960s represented a period of profound cultural change.

Writing the essay Paragraphs should be based on the categories established in your thesis. –The British North American colonies developed experience in and an expectation of self government politically and socially but were not as economically independent.

Writing the essay The main idea sentence of each paragraph should indicate the focus of the paragraph and link back to the thesis. –During the colonial period many of the British colonies began to experiment with and establish their own political institutions. –Develop a main idea sentence for the next two paragraphs

Writing the essay Which specific facts would prove this statement? –House of Burgesses APPLICATION –The House of Burgesses, established in 1619, served as the first legislature in the colonies.

Writing the essay When including facts dont –Go through a full explanation of the fact only explain how it is relevant to your thesis –Work outside the time period –Fail to put them in, some papers include no actual information just theory DONT –Make it a laundry list of facts. They must be linked to the thesis. –Use big words just because you can.

Writing the essay OTHER HELPFUL HINTS –Stay on topic- watch out for the random ramble –Dont use first person –Remember the catch words and double check to make sure you answered them. –Get to the point!!!- None of us is theorist- JUST ANSWER THE QUESTION, dont be like Wilson. –BE CONFIDENT- –Pace yourself-