Welcome to the Advanced Placement

Essay

A.P. U.S. History IMr. Clark

EVERY essay written in Mr. Clark’s Advanced Placement History class will follow the traditional FIVE-paragraph essay structure:

Paragraph 1: IntroductionParagraph 2: Body Paragraph #1Paragraph 3: Body Paragraph #2Paragraph 4: Body Paragraph #3Paragraph 5: Conclusion

We begin learning how to write the A.P. Essay by breaking it down into 3 steps: (1) How to write the Introductory Paragraph, (2) How to write the Body Paragraphs, and finally (3) How to write the Conclusion.

INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH

EVERY essay written in Mr. Clark’s Advanced Placement History Class will follow the designated introductory paragraph format!

Each and every introductory paragraph will consist of 6 sentences… NEVER more… NEVER less!!

The following is the proper format for the A.P. U.S. History introductory paragraph:

Background Sentence 1: ________.Background Sentence 2: _______.Thesis Statement: _______. Body Sentence 1: _______. Body Sentence 2: _______ Body Sentence 3: _______.

We begin learning how to write the Introductory Paragraph by breaking it down into 3 steps: (1) How to write the Thesis Statement, (2) How to write the Body Sentences, and finally (3) How to write the Background Sentences.

Background Sentence 1Background Sentence 2

Thesis StatementBody Sentence 1Body Sentence 2Body Sentence 3

THESIS STATEMENT• The THESIS STATEMENT is the MOST important sentence of your introductory paragraph, because it IS THE answer to the essay question.• The “reader” of your essay can tell what your entire essay is trying to prove just by reading your thesis statement. • Therefore, we MUST write a correct thesis statement without spending a lot of time on it.

THESIS STATEMENT• The THESIS STATEMENT is simply a restatement of the essay topic.• You must turn the essay question into POSITIVE Thesis Statement!• For the most part, this will be an easy task…

THESIS STATEMENTSAMPLE ESSAY TOPIC:

What social, economic and political effects did the French and Indian War

have on the British colonies in the New World?

THESIS STATEMENTANSWER:

There were numerous social, economic and political effects

that the French and Indian War had on the British

colonies in the New World.

EASY!!!!

Huh???

THESIS STATEMENTEXAMPLE:

Why did slavery in the colonies grow more rapidly in the last decades of the 17th century

than in the earlier decades of that century?

THESIS STATEMENTEXAMPLE: The so called, Indians arrived in the Americas over a 30,000 year period. Discuss some possible theories of their migration to America?

THESIS STATEMENTEXAMPLE: How might have the cultural attitudes of the Indians and Europeans lead to ethnocentric conflict?

THESIS STATEMENTEXAMPLE:

Vine Deloria (a Native American) points out that the history of Native

Americans was, for the most part, not written by them. Who wrote it? How do you think this fact might influence our judgment and understanding of

Native Americans?

THESIS STATEMENTEXAMPLE:

Francis Jennings says, “that America's discovery and exploration was really an unprovoked act of aggression (an

invasion) that displaced and destroyed a resident people." Explain what he means by this

statement?

THESIS STATEMENTEXAMPLE:

What events were occurring in Europe between 1400 and 1600 that

promoted exploration and discovery? Comment in each of the

following areas: religion, political power, technology & commerce and

trade.

Background Sentence 1Background Sentence 2

Thesis StatementBody Sentence 1Body Sentence 2Body Sentence 3

BODY SENTENCES• The BODY SENTENCES are the “roadmap” for your entire 5-paragraph essay.• The “reader” of your essay can tell what your entire essay is trying to prove and the order in which you will prove it by reading your body sentences.• Therefore, we MUST write three solid body sentences that will directly parallel your three body paragraphs.

BODY SENTENCES• The first step in developing your three body sentences begins with the essay topic (and your thesis statement).• You must re-read your essay topic, and thesis statement, to find THREE (NEVER more… NEVER less!) areas that you will focus on when trying to prove your thesis.• These THREE areas will be the basis for your three body sentences as well as your three body paragraphs

BODY SENTENCESSAMPLE ESSAY TOPIC:

What social, economic and political effects did the French and Indian War

have on the British colonies in the New World?

BODY SENTENCESSAMPLE ESSAY TOPIC:

What social, economic and political effects did the French and Indian War

have on the British colonies in the New World?

BODY SENTENCES• Now that we have identified our THREE areas that will serve as the basis for our THREE body sentences and subsequently our THREE body paragraphs, we can write our BODY SENTENCES.• SOCIAL: The French and Indian War caused numerous social changes within the British colonies in the New World.• ECONOMIC: The economy of the British colonies in the New World was impacted by the French and Indian War.• POLITICAL: Finally, the political structure within the British colonies in the New World was altered as a result of the Seven Years’ War.

BODY SENTENCES• There will be occasions where the essay topic does NOT offer THREE obvious choices for your THREE body sentences / body paragraphs.• In these cases, we will ALWAYS refer to:S*P*E*R*M

S* … SOCIALP* … POLITICALE* … ECONOMICR* … RELIGIONM* … MILITARY

BODY SENTENCES• You can ALWAYS find at least THREE aspects of S*P*E*R*M in each and every thesis question. • If the essay question itself does not give you an obvious three areas to discuss in your body sentences and body paragraphs, then turn to S*P*E*R*M

BODY SENTENCESSAMPLE TOPIC:

Why did slavery in the colonies grow more rapidly in the last decades of the 17th century

than in the earlier decades of that century?

BODY SENTENCES• In this topic there are NO obvious THREE areas that will serve as the basis for our THREE body sentences and subsequently our THREE body paragraphs… so let’s S*P*E*R*M!!!

BODY SENTENCESSAMPLE TOPIC:

Why did slavery in the colonies grow more rapidly in the last decades of the 17th century than in the earlier

decades of that century?• SOCIAL: Social changes within the colonies caused slavery to grow more rapidly in the late 17th century than in earlier decades.• POLITICAL: Political acts passed by the American colonies aided in the growth of slavery.• ECONOMIC: The growing economy of the American colonies in the late 17th century colonies led to a rapid expansion of slavery.• RELIGION: Religious justifications for slavery lead to its growth in the latter decades of the 17th century.JUST PICK THREE!!

BODY SENTENCESEXAMPLE: The so called, Indians arrived in the Americas over a 30,000 year period. Discuss some possible theories of their migration to America?

BODY SENTENCESEXAMPLE: How might have the cultural attitudes of the Indians and Europeans lead to ethnocentric conflict?

BODY SENTENCESEXAMPLE:

Vine Deloria (a Native American) points out that the history of Native

Americans was, for the most part, not written by them. Who wrote it? How do you think this fact might influence our judgment and understanding of

Native Americans?

BODY SENTENCESEXAMPLE:

Francis Jennings says, “that America's discovery and exploration was really an unprovoked act of aggression (an

invasion) that displaced and destroyed a resident people." Explain what he means by this

statement?

BODY SENTENCESEXAMPLE:

What events were occurring in Europe between 1400 and 1600 that

promoted exploration and discovery? Comment in each of the

following areas: religion, political power, technology & commerce and

trade.

Background Sentence 1Background Sentence 2

Thesis StatementBody Sentence 1Body Sentence 2Body Sentence 3

BACKGROUND SENTENCES• The TWO background sentences are a chance to show off your knowledge of the topic, while also throwing out some USELESS information that you may not be able to use in your actual essay• These two sentences should contain at least one fact AND relate to the topic in some fashion

BACKGROUND SENTENCESSAMPLE TOPIC:

Why did slavery in the colonies grow more rapidly in the last decades of the 17th century

than in the earlier decades of that century?

BACKGROUND SENTENCESPOSSIBLE BACKGROUND SENTENCES:1.Slavery was introduced in the American colonies in 1620.2.The first slaves to arrive in America came to the English colony of Jamestown.3.The 20 slaves who were introduced in the colony of Jamestown were brought by Dutch traders.

BACKGROUND SENTENCESEXAMPLE: The so called, Indians arrived in the Americas over a 30,000 year period. Discuss some possible theories of their migration to America?

BACKGROUND SENTENCESEXAMPLE: How might have the cultural attitudes of the Indians and Europeans lead to ethnocentric conflict?

BACKGROUND SENTENCESEXAMPLE:

Vine Deloria (a Native American) points out that the history of Native

Americans was, for the most part, not written by them. Who wrote it? How do you think this fact might influence our judgment and understanding of

Native Americans?

BACKGROUND SENTENCESEXAMPLE:

Francis Jennings says, “that America's discovery and exploration was really an unprovoked act of aggression (an

invasion) that displaced and destroyed a resident people." Explain what he means by this

statement?

BACKGROUND SENTENCESEXAMPLE:

What events were occurring in Europe between 1400 and 1600 that

promoted exploration and discovery? Comment in each of the

following areas: religion, political power, technology & commerce and

trade.

Now… let’s put the whole thing together

to make a SPECTACULAR introductory paragraph!

Background Sentence 1Background Sentence 2

Thesis StatementBody Sentence 1Body Sentence 2Body Sentence 3

BBT123

INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPHSAMPLE TOPIC:

Why did slavery in the colonies grow more rapidly in the last decades of the 17th century

than in the earlier decades of that century?

B Slavery was introduced in the American colonies in 1620. B The first slaves to arrive in America came to the English colony of Jamestown. T Slavery in the colonies grew more rapidly in the last decades of the 17th century than in the earlier decades of that century. 1 Social changes within the colonies caused slavery to grow more rapidly in the late 17th century than in earlier decades. 2 Political acts passed by the American colonies aided in the growth of slavery. 3 The growing economy of the American colonies in the late 17th century colonies led to a rapid expansion of slavery.

If you do all these steps, you will write a GREAT introductory

paragraph…And you will make your teacher

HAPPY!

BODY PARAGRAPHS

BODY PARAGRAPHS• Now that we have learned to write our Introductory Paragraph, all that is left is to use the THREE body paragraphs to prove our thesis• Our Introductory Paragraph will

serve as a “roadmap” for the rest of the essay.

BODY PARAGRAPHS•Our THREE Body Sentences

should TELL us what our THREE Body paragraphs should be about (and in what order we should write them)

B Slavery was introduced in the American colonies in 1620. B The first slaves to arrive in America came to the English colony of Jamestown. T Slavery in the colonies grew more rapidly in the last decades of the 17th century than in the earlier decades of that century. 1 Social changes within the colonies caused slavery to grow more rapidly in the late 17th century than in earlier decades. 2 Political acts passed by the American colonies aided in the growth of slavery. 3 The growing economy of the American colonies in the late 17th century colonies led to a rapid expansion of slavery.

B Slavery was introduced in the American colonies in 1620. B The first slaves to arrive in America came to the English colony of Jamestown. T Slavery in the colonies grew more rapidly in the last decades of the 17th century than in the earlier decades of that century. . 1 Social changes within the colonies caused slavery to grow more rapidly in the late 17th century than in earlier decades. 2 Political acts passed by the American colonies aided in the growth of slavery. 3 The growing economy of the American colonies in the late 17th century colonies led to a rapid expansion of slavery.

BODY PARAGRAPH 1: Should discuss the SOCIAL changes caused causing slavery growth

BODY PARAGRAPH 2: Should discuss the ECONOMIC changes causing slavery growth

BODY PARAGRAPH 3: Should discuss the POLITICAL changes causing slavery growth

BODY PARAGRAPHSWhen writing your Body Paragraphs it is important to keep in mind certain things:[1] ALWAYS try and prove your THESIS.. Keep referring back to it (almost once each paragraph)[2] ALWAYS use FACTUAL SUPPORT to prove your point (facts show you learned something)[3] NEVER give an opinion or speak in the 1st person (unless the essay question requires this)

CONCLUSION

CONCLUSION• Your essay conclusion is the LEAST

important of the 5-paragraphs in your essay (you can still achieve a decent grade even if you omit it)• HOWEVER, we always want to try and

throw together some kind of conclusion

CONCLUSION• The conclusion must be a minimum of 3

sentences long (as should all of your paragraphs)• The conclusion should contain a

restatement of your original thesis statement as well as any other sentences you feel are necessary to conclude your essay (“tie up any loose ends”)