How To DoHow To DoHow To DoHow To Do

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1. Read the question or prompt carefully: The basic purpose is to answer the question. Read the question three 1. Read the question or prompt carefully: The basic purpose is to answer the question. Read the question three times times

and be able to paraphrase the question and know the essential task demanded by it. Answering the question will and be able to paraphrase the question and know the essential task demanded by it. Answering the question will be the be the

central focus of your essay. Many essay prompts will "suggest" a particular format to follow for organizing your central focus of your essay. Many essay prompts will "suggest" a particular format to follow for organizing your response. response.

Create a framework or hypothesis for answering the question. Create a framework or hypothesis for answering the question.

• • Break the question down with dates, points asked for, make sure you are aware of the entire question Break the question down with dates, points asked for, make sure you are aware of the entire question

• • Be mindful of the verb – what exactly are you supposed to do? Be sure that you understand the required task. Be mindful of the verb – what exactly are you supposed to do? Be sure that you understand the required task.

• • Look for words that need defining: words like "effective", liberal/conservative, imperialism, etc. Look for words that need defining: words like "effective", liberal/conservative, imperialism, etc.

• • Look for ways to answer the question in a sophisticated manner; not with a simple yes or no, or right or wrong – it Look for ways to answer the question in a sophisticated manner; not with a simple yes or no, or right or wrong – it is is

more comfortable to stick with black and white; as historians we must learn to dwell in the gray more comfortable to stick with black and white; as historians we must learn to dwell in the gray

• • Look for multiple points of view. Look for multiple points of view.

2. Brainstorm on paper everything that comes to mind regarding the topic at hand. What do you know about the 2. Brainstorm on paper everything that comes to mind regarding the topic at hand. What do you know about the

topic? Put this down on paper to get your brain in gear for writing the essay. topic? Put this down on paper to get your brain in gear for writing the essay.

3. Organize your thesis, develop three main points (if not already provided), and put your brainstormed 3. Organize your thesis, develop three main points (if not already provided), and put your brainstormed

information in a chart format for your three body paragraphs. information in a chart format for your three body paragraphs.

4. Write your introductory paragraph. Your introduction is essentially your thesis… nothing more. No flowery set 4. Write your introductory paragraph. Your introduction is essentially your thesis… nothing more. No flowery set

up, no meaningless elaboration. Just your THESIS! up, no meaningless elaboration. Just your THESIS!

step 1step 1

Read and analyze the question. Determine what the question is asking you to do. Pay close attention to the Read and analyze the question. Determine what the question is asking you to do. Pay close attention to the verb used in the prompt. verb used in the prompt.

Step 2Step 2

Make a list of relevant information before you read the documents. Write down everything you think is important Make a list of relevant information before you read the documents. Write down everything you think is important about this time period or event.about this time period or event.

Step 3Step 3

Read the documents. Underline information that is relevant to the question. It is important to consider the point Read the documents. Underline information that is relevant to the question. It is important to consider the point of view of the documents, including who wrote it and under what circumstances. The context of the document is of view of the documents, including who wrote it and under what circumstances. The context of the document is just as important as the information it contains.just as important as the information it contains.

Step 4Step 4

Write the introductory paragraph. This paragraph should include a general introduction to the period or event, a Write the introductory paragraph. This paragraph should include a general introduction to the period or event, a statement of two or three key issues or aspects of the topic, and a thesis sentence.statement of two or three key issues or aspects of the topic, and a thesis sentence.

Step 5Step 5

Write the body paragraphs. Each issue or aspect that you listed in the introductory paragraph should get its own Write the body paragraphs. Each issue or aspect that you listed in the introductory paragraph should get its own body paragraph. Provide support explaining why each issue is important, using both the documents given and body paragraph. Provide support explaining why each issue is important, using both the documents given and your list of relevant information.your list of relevant information.

Step 6Step 6

Write the conclusion. Restate the thesis from the introductory paragraph now that you've supported it. In some Write the conclusion. Restate the thesis from the introductory paragraph now that you've supported it. In some cases it's appropriate to explain how this issue is relevant today.cases it's appropriate to explain how this issue is relevant today.

A “Dazzling” D.B.Q.A “Dazzling” D.B.Q.Is Like a Tasty Is Like a Tasty

HamburgerHamburger

A “Dazzling” D.B.Q.A “Dazzling” D.B.Q.Is Like a Tasty Is Like a Tasty

HamburgerHamburger

The The “Top Bun”“Top Bun” of your essay! of your essay!

4-6 sentences4-6 sentences

The Introductory The Introductory ParagraphParagraph

The Introductory The Introductory ParagraphParagraph

1.1. Establish Establish TIME & PLACETIME & PLACE..

2.2. Create a clear, Create a clear, THESIS THESIS STATEMENTSTATEMENT..[underline or highlight it!][underline or highlight it!]

3.3. Allude to the Allude to the SUB-TOPICSSUB-TOPICS or or categories you will discuss to categories you will discuss to support your thesis statementsupport your thesis statement

4.4. Focus on the question at hand—Focus on the question at hand—do NOT begin with a “flowery” do NOT begin with a “flowery” sentence!sentence!

The Introductory ParagraphThe Introductory ParagraphThe Introductory ParagraphThe Introductory Paragraph

No “laundry No “laundry list!”list!”

The The “tasty” part“tasty” part of your of your essay!essay!

8-12 sentences+ per 8-12 sentences+ per paragraphparagraph

The “The “””MeatMeat””” Paragraphs” ParagraphsThe “The “””MeatMeat””” Paragraphs” Paragraphs

1.1. Identify your sub-topic or category Identify your sub-topic or category in the first sentence.in the first sentence.

2.2. Include the documents that are Include the documents that are relevant to support the ideas in the relevant to support the ideas in the paragraph.paragraph.

3.3. Use most of the documents given.Use most of the documents given.

4.4. Bring in supportive outside Bring in supportive outside information. information. This is criticalThis is critical!!!! * * o.i.’so.i.’s = “ = “ooutside utside iinformation”nformation”

5.5. Why were these documents Why were these documents selected?selected?

The “The “””MeatMeat””” Paragraphs” ParagraphsThe “The “””MeatMeat””” Paragraphs” Paragraphs

1.1. Attribution Attribution Who is this person? Who is this person?

2.2. Why might they be significant?Why might they be significant?

3.3. What is the point of view (POV) of the What is the point of view (POV) of the author?author?

4.4. How reliable and accurate is the source?How reliable and accurate is the source?

5.5. What is the tone or intent of the What is the tone or intent of the document author?document author?

6.6. What other information does this What other information does this document call to mind? Use all available document call to mind? Use all available clues.clues.Remember, docs. can be used in a variety of Remember, docs. can be used in a variety of

ways!ways!

Questions to Ask Yourself About Questions to Ask Yourself About the Documentsthe Documents

Questions to Ask Yourself About Questions to Ask Yourself About the Documentsthe Documents

1.1. Thomas Paine, Thomas Paine, in his pamphlet, in his pamphlet, Common SenseCommon Sense,, said: “………………….” said: “………………….”

2.2. Joe Smith, Joe Smith, a mid-Western delegate to a mid-Western delegate to the Republican convention in 1912the Republican convention in 1912, , agreed with…..agreed with…..

3.3. The The 1919cc historian, Frederick Jackson historian, Frederick Jackson TurnerTurner, felt that …………………. , felt that …………………. (Doc. E)(Doc. E)

NEVERNEVER begin with: In Document 3, begin with: In Document 3, ……

How to Reference a How to Reference a Document in Your EssayDocument in Your Essay

How to Reference a How to Reference a Document in Your EssayDocument in Your Essay

The The “Bottom Bun”“Bottom Bun” of your of your essay!essay!

It holds it all together!It holds it all together!

3-4 sentences3-4 sentences

The Concluding The Concluding ParagraphParagraph

The Concluding The Concluding ParagraphParagraph

1.1. Start with a “concluding phrase.”Start with a “concluding phrase.”

2.2. Restate your thesis statement Restate your thesis statement a bit a bit differentlydifferently..

3.3. Put your essay answer in a larger Put your essay answer in a larger historical perspective.historical perspective.

End of some trend/movement/idea, End of some trend/movement/idea, etc.etc.

Beginning of some Beginning of some trend/movement/ideatrend/movement/idea

End of one & beginning of another.End of one & beginning of another.

Do NOT end on the note that this is Do NOT end on the note that this is the reason we are where we are the reason we are where we are today!today!

The Concluding” ParagraphThe Concluding” ParagraphThe Concluding” ParagraphThe Concluding” Paragraph

Put It All Together, And . . . .Put It All Together, And . . . .Put It All Together, And . . . .Put It All Together, And . . . .

Write out your introductory paragraph in full, Write out your introductory paragraph in full, underlining your thesis statementunderlining your thesis statement..

¶¶1 1 sub-topic title sub-topic title Information from a document (Doc-B)Information from a document (Doc-B) Information from another document (Doc-Information from another document (Doc-

E)E) Some outside information (OI)Some outside information (OI) Different info. from the same document Different info. from the same document

(Doc-E)(Doc-E)

¶¶2 2 sub-topic title sub-topic title Information from a document (Doc-A)Information from a document (Doc-A) Some outside information (OI)Some outside information (OI) Some outside information (OI)Some outside information (OI) Information from another document (Doc-Information from another document (Doc-

H)H)

Outline FormatOutline FormatOutline FormatOutline Format

¶3¶3 sub-topic title sub-topic title Information from a document (Doc-C)Information from a document (Doc-C) Information from another document Information from another document

(Doc-D)(Doc-D) Some outside information (OI)Some outside information (OI) Information from another document Information from another document

(Doc-F)(Doc-F) New information from the same New information from the same

document (Doc-F)document (Doc-F) Some outside information (OI)Some outside information (OI) Some outside information (OI)Some outside information (OI)

Write out your concluding paragraph in full.Write out your concluding paragraph in full.

Outline FormatOutline FormatOutline FormatOutline Format

Create a rough draft in outline form using this Create a rough draft in outline form using this format:format:

Skip a line from your intro. Skip a line from your intro. ¶¶

Identify the “theme”/thesis of this first Identify the “theme”/thesis of this first “meat” “meat” ¶ ¶ [underline or highlight it][underline or highlight it]

Indent bullets listing all facts/doc. info. Indent bullets listing all facts/doc. info. and other and other “o.i.”s“o.i.”s that you will need in that that you will need in that ¶¶

When done with that When done with that ¶¶, skip a line and do , skip a line and do the same for the other “meat” the same for the other “meat” ¶s¶s

1.1. Write out your introductory Write out your introductory paragraph.paragraph.

2.2. Create a loose outline of your “meat” Create a loose outline of your “meat” ¶¶s in this manner:s in this manner:

DO-NOW In Class:DO-NOW In Class:DO-NOW In Class:DO-NOW In Class:

3.3. Skip a line after your last “meat” ¶ and write Skip a line after your last “meat” ¶ and write you concluding ¶ out in full.you concluding ¶ out in full.