Essay guideWriting like a historian

Prompt – What reasons lead the American colonists to take on the British militarily?• What does the question ask? • You must reference the question in the first paragraph – this indicates

to the reader where you intend to go in your essay

Central idea of a thesis

• Your thesis is not a stand-alone concept…it is the reinforcement to your entire essay• Everything you write must be in support of your thesis statement• The central ideas of your thesis are woven throughout the essay• (Don’t just write it and abandon it at the top of the page)

Avoid (as in never do)

• Ask a question - you are answering a question • Use folksy introductions• Ramble on • Fail to create an argument• Create a hook (this is not English class)

Active voice, powerful adjectives

• The American colonists were going to be unhappy by the decision of the British parliament when they found out about the new acts to raise taxes.

• This is a dull, passive sentence.zzzzzzzzz

Active verbs are more effective

• New taxes imposed by the British angered American colonists.

Narrative flow

• Make your choice of words flow smoothly • Choose wisely – don’t get bogged down• Keep it succinct

Evidence, evidence

• Without clear evidence linked to your thesis, you just have a narrative• Evidence bolsters your thesis, strengthens your essay• (Of course, it is factually accurate)

Analysis

• Your analysis of the evidence demonstrates your knowledge, understanding and your ability to make the case.

Bring in the historians’ perspective

• How have historians interpreted events? • Their perspectives add weight to your arguments• (Remember they have Ph.D. and have published books – they know

their stuff --- you get to look good by referring to their positions in support of your own).

Synthesis

• You have the facts, you have pulled from multiple perspectives, now show what you have done with it.• Your synthesis of the information in support of your thesis is key to a

strong essay.

Conclusion

• Revisit your thesis but restate it in a different way

Next round of edits

• 1 - For Monday, edit into your essay citations.• Every claim or position that is made must be sourced.• For example: By establishing the Proclamation line, the British

alienated many new settlers (Schweigart, p. 59)• Edit these into your saved version BUT DO NOT PRINT IT OUT• 2 – Create a bibliography.• 3 – Review your opening for any no-nos and rewrite as necessary• 4 – Double-spaced, 12pt font, 2-3 pages• 5 – Count the words in the essay, excluding the prompt, your name etc.

IB essay rubric

• See the class web site for details on how IB assesses Paper 3 essays• Here is a preview