Making historical arguments and evidence specific

Specific Topic Sentence Arguments

Instead of…WWI was different from wars before it because

trenches were used.

Choose one way trenches made war different…WWI was different from wars before it because

trenches led to a more depressing war for soldiers.

Prove T.S. Arguments with Specific Evidence

Example of specific evidence to prove that trenches made war depressing:

• “The poignant misery of dawn begins to grow...We only know war lasts, rain soaks, and clouds sag stormy.” –From Wilfred Owen Poem

• By the end of World War One, the [British] army had dealt with 80,000 cases of 'shell shock'.

The more specific your topic sentence argument, the easier it is to prove with specific evidence.

The Essay Question

What were the (three) most significant ways WWI was different from the wars before it?