Strategies for Writing

Document Based Essays…

STEP 1: Prewriting• Read the historical context

and the task- MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR!!!

• Complete the graphic organizers– Web of outside knowledge is

completed BEFORE you read the documents

– Chart is completed AFTER you read and answer questions about the documents

Do I Understand the Historical Context and Task?

Historical Context:During the 17th and 18th Centuries, England joined other European countries in setting up colonies in the New World. Between 1607 and 1732, the English established thirteen colonies along the east coast of North America.

Task: •Discuss where and why different religious groups settled in the English colonies.•Describe the economic opportunities available to settlers in the English colonies.

Where and why

different religious groups

settled in the

colonies

Economic opportunities available to settlers

  BODY PARAGRAPH #1 BODY PARAGRAPH #2

Topic Sentence

Topic Sentence 1: People of many different religious groups settled in the colonies.

Topic Sentence 2: There were many economic opportunities available to settlers in the colonies.

OutsideKnowledge

   

Document#1

  

   

Document#2

   

   

Document#3

    

Document#4

    

Document#5

   

Closing Sentence

Closing Sentence 1: The English colonies became home to many different religious groups in the 1600s.

Closing Sentence 2: Settlers in the colonies found many new ways of earning a living in the New World.

STEP 2: Introduction

• Do not just re-write the historical context!!!

• Sentences 1-2: Put the historical context in

your own words

• Sentence 3:Thesis Statement which addresses the task (what are you going to write about in your essay?)

Do I Understand the Historical Context and Task?

Historical Context: In 1492, Christopher Columbus discovered the Americas and sparked an era of exploration and trade that would lead to colonialism. Some view Columbus as a hero, while others believe he harshly treated the Native Americans. Today Columbus’ legacy continues to be debated.

Task:•Identify and discuss TWO results of Columbus’ discovery of the Americas. (PARAGRAPH 1)•Explain how these results prove whether he should or should not be remembered as a hero. (PARAGRAPH 2)

Historical Context:In 1492, Christopher Columbus discovered the Americas and sparked an era of exploration and trade that would lead to colonialism. Some view Columbus as a hero, while others believe he harshly treated the Native Americans. Today Columbus’ legacy continues to be debated.

Task:•Identify and discuss two results of Columbus’ discovery of the Americas. •Explain how these results prove whether he should or should not be remembered as a hero.

The 1492 discovery of the Americas by Christopher Columbus began a time of exploration and trade. This led to the colonization of the New World. Since Columbus opened up this New World to Europeans, he is viewed by many as a hero. However, others believe that Columbus mistreated Native Americans, and he should not be seen as a hero. Even though Columbus discovered the Americas, the negative effects of the Columbian Exchange and the loss of Native American land prove that he should not be remembered as a hero.

STEP 3: Body Paragraphs• Use your organizer to help you write the

body paragraphs

• Each body paragraph should have– Topic sentence– Supporting details- documents (text based

evidence) AND outside knowledge (historical content)

– Concluding sentence

• Cite your documents (Doc 1) NOT In document 1…

Do I Understand the Historical Context and Task?

Historical Context: In 1492, Christopher Columbus discovered the Americas and sparked an era of exploration and trade that would lead to colonialism. Some view Columbus as a hero, while others believe he harshly treated the Native Americans. Today Columbus’ legacy continues to be debated.

Task:•Identify and discuss TWO results of Columbus’ discovery of the Americas. (PARAGRAPH 1)•Explain how these results prove whether he should or should not be remembered as a hero. (PARAGRAPH 2)

Christopher Columbus should be viewed as a hero. His discoveries paved the way for future explorers to leave their homes in Europe and find new land for their countries. His lasting legacy has made a strong impact on the people in the United States. After Columbus came to the New World, millions of people from all over the world from many cultures immigrated here. These people are responsible for a lot of discoveries in science, mathematics, medicine and philosophy in the United States (Doc. 3). It also encouraged a worldwide exchange, known as the Columbian Exchange, that continues today. Not only did he impact the future but he also made Spain a very profitable country. He travelled back and forth from Spain four times, bringing the riches he received from the land. He brought back gold which made the Spanish have resources that other European countries didn’t have and made them very wealthy(Doc. 5). Columbus should be viewed as a hero because of the influence he had both on Spain and the future of the world.

STEP 4: Conclusion• The conclusion should borrow some

material from the introduction, each of the body paragraphs, and the conclusion– 1st Sentence: Summarize the

historical context– 2nd-3rd Sentence: Summarize each of

the body paragraphs– 4th Sentence: rephrase thesis

statement• Avoid writing

– In conclusion– You have read– As you can see– NO OPINIONS

Christopher Columbus was one of the first European explorers to come to the New World. Due to his efforts the Columbian Exchange led to the worldwide spread of goods and ideas. He also contributed to the wealth of Spain by finding gold and other resources. Christopher Columbus is a hero because he set the foundation for people to come and build the United States.

Things to Keep in Mind…

• No-no words/phrases: very, big, got, stuff, thing(s), I, You, in conclusion, you will read, I think, in my opinion

• Punctuation such as ! and ? should not used in a fact based writing assignment

• This is a fact based writing assignment- NOT a narrative