Step 1: Understand the Question
Read the question carefully. Make sure you
understand the question. Underline key
words and phrases. Make a decision on the
direction you are going to take in answering
the question.
Step 1: Understand the QuestionExample
1. Explain how John Calvin is a significant figure in U.S. History, and how his followers have had such a huge impact on American ideas especially during the early colony days. In your essay please mention the impact of politics, economy, religion and government.
Step 1: Understand the QuestionExample
1. Explain how John Calvin is a significant figure in U.S. History, and how his followers have had such a huge impact on American ideas especially during the early colony days. In your essay please mention the impact of politics, economy, religion and government.
Step 1: Understand the QuestionExample
2. Please explain the origins and give the essence of each of the three regions of colonial America. Please discuss in your essay the ideas of: politics, economy, government and society for each of the regions. Regions discussed should be, New England, Southern/Plantation, Middle colonies.
Step 1: Understand the QuestionExample
2. Please explain the origins and give the essence of each of the three regions of colonial America. Please discuss in your essay the ideas of: politics, economy, government and society for each of the regions. Regions discussed should be, New England, Southern/Plantation, Middle colonies.
What is significant about England's defeat of the Spanish Armada, and how did this defeat led to the English dominance and the British Empire during the colonial period?
◦What do you need to answer here?◦How would you answer the question? ◦What are the key words?
Step 1: Understand the QuestionExample
What is significant about England's defeat of the Spanish Armada, and how did this defeat led to the English dominance and the British Empire during the colonial period?
◦What do you need to answer here?◦How would you answer the question? ◦What are the key words?
Step 1: Understand the QuestionExample
Step 2: Pre-writing
Brainstorm Ideas - List down notes, key words, facts and phrases that relate to the topic of your essay.
Sort-Sort and group notes and words together under possible topics. Eliminate unrelated or unusable facts and phrases.
Step 2: Pre-writing
Outline-Make an outline of the points you want to cover in your answer.
Intro-Body-Conclusion
Step 2: Pre-writing
Thesis- Create a working thesis try to answer the question in one sentence. ◦“ Its okay to keep it simple”◦“Its okay to use the question in the thesis”
John Calvin was a significant person in US
history because of his impact on thePuritans who were influential settlers of
theAmericas
Step 2: Pre-writingExample: Calvinism in America
OutlineI. Intro (1paragraph)
A. What Calvinism isB. Summary of his followersC. Intro into what his followers
believedD. Thesis
Step 2: Pre-writingExample: Calvinism in America
OutlineII. Body (2-3)A. Impact- Politics &
Government1. Examples of Calvinism in politics
a) Policy of living of people who disobeyed
2. Examples of Calvinism in government
a) Puritans developed a logical system of government based on democracy—like a good Christian you should value all people.
Step 2: Pre-writingExample: Calvinism in America
OutlineB. Impact-Economy
1. Examples of Calvinism in the Economy a) Hard-working business people ,
economy was based on practical items that can be produced with hands.
C. Impact- Society2. Examples of Calvinism in Society
a) Society was equal in the eyes of God, the preachers were thought to have a direct line to god. People who were preaching against their religion were thrown out.
Step 2: Pre-writingExample: Calvinism in America
OutlineB. Conclusion1. Impacts2. Summary of his followers3. Restate Thesis
Step 3: Develop Your Thesis
Define and refine your personal opinion on
the given topic. Are for or against the
statement or question presented? Do
accept, reject, or qualify the proposed
argument? You must take a stand, and define
your thesis! An essay without a thesis is not
only boring but also bound to fail.
Step 5: Write
Introduction (1 Paragraph)
◦ Opening ◦ Paraphrase the essay/state
what your going to say◦ Thesis
Step 5: Write
Body (2-3 Paragraphs)◦ Opening sentence◦ How your fact or example
relates to the topic ◦ Wrap up sentence relating
to the thesis
Step 5: Write
Conclusion (1 Paragraph)
◦ Reversed introduction◦ State what you said and
short summary of why it is important
◦ Closing statement
Step 5: Write Write logically and use reason, use
transitions when going to the next paragraph.
When writing always remember what the topic was stated and don’t write about something that is not in the topic.
Insert your knowledge and research in order, don’t just write it all down, because it won’t make sense
One or two ideas=one paragraph DON’T DIGRESS!
Step 5: Write
Remember when writing a historical essay
◦Examine the past critically, but try to avoid judging the past by today’s standards.
◦Read the past in the context of the time.
◦Base your judgments on the weight of evidence. Be prepared to change your mind about things.
Step 5: Write
Write your essay. Remember when writing a
historical essay ◦Examine the past critically, but try to
avoid judging the past by today’s standards.
◦Read the past in the context of the time.
◦Base your judgments on the weight of evidence. Be prepared to change your mind about things.