1. 3. Writing an Historical Essay
OR How to Write a SUPERIOR Essay to Blow the Potential AP Readers Right off Their Chairs
WITH apologies to English Teachers

2. Read the Question Carefully
Although many Northerners and Southerners came later to think of themselves as having separate civilizations, the Northern and Southern colonies in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries were in fact more similar than different. Assess the validity of this statement.
Read it a second time.
Read it a third time.
Underline words important to thesis

3. Read the Question Carefully
Although many Northerners and Southerners came later to think of themselves as having separate civilizations, the Northern and Southern colonies in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries were in fact more similar than different. Assess the validity of this statement.
Read it a second time.
Read it a third time.
Underline the critical words

4. What are You asked to do? ASSESS!
Which means that you must take a stand either in support or repudiation of the statement.
It does not matter which side you take.
Reader will looking at your evidence in support of your decision.

5. Create a Graphic for Brainstorming
Northern
Southern
Diff / Sim
Political
Economic
Religious
Social
Intellectual
Artistic

6. Create a Graphic for Brainstorming
Southern
Northern
+ or -
Political
White land own
Aristocracy
White male
Town meetings
Economic
Large Plantations
Slavery
Small farms
Some factories
Religious
Puritan and Great Awakening
Traditional sects / English
Social
English and Barbados
English
Family center
Intellectual
No formal educ.
Public schools
Eng. Philosophies
Artistic
Basically English
Climate
Hot and unhealthy
Cold, but healthy

7. Create a strong thesis statement
As early as the 17th century the northern and southern colonies were exhibiting a growing division based on a number of issues. It would be an incorrect statement to portray the Northern and Southern colonies as being more similar than diverse. The early history of these sections point quite clearly to separate civilizations that would lead to years of disagreement between the two as they focused on differences in economic, political , and social structures.

8. Infuse Power Words
As early as the 17th century the northern and southern colonies were depicting a significant division based on a number of key issues. It would be an incorrect statement to indicate that the Northern and Southern colonies were more similar than diverse. The early history of these sections point quite dramatically to separate civilizations that would lead to years of disagreement between the two as they focused on predominate differences in economic, political , and social structures.

9. Create an outline (Graphic)
Introduction (see previous slide)
Economic
Slave / Indentured Servant
Large Plantation/ Small farms
No factories / Ship Building & forestry
Etc.
Social
Aristocracy / family centered
Paternalism of women / Equal partners
No formal education / required
Influence of Barbados
Political
Aristocracy / white male landowner
Control / Expression
Structure / English philosophers
Conclusion

10. Now Write