WELL-WRITTEN PARAGRAPHTHE WAR OF 1812

In order to change our research into a paragraph, we must first decide what information we need to use.

• We want our paragraph to include information that works together.It is important to decide which sub-topics should be grouped together.

vs.

Now that we have our information organized, it is time to start thinking about how it connects to the Canadian Identity.

Our Canadian Identity is the legacy of this war.

Canadian Identity:multiculturalbilingualgender equalityaboriginal understandingindustrialurban & ruralnot Americantough

Still arrange juicy details like a story – beginning, middle & end

However, instead of telling a story for this paragraph, we are focusing on explaining the impact a defining moment had on our personal identity.

The Canadian Identity has been shaped by many different moments in history. One of the most defining moments was the War of 1812. This war began when the Americans decided to attack British North America (present-day Canada) in retaliation for the British theft of their ships and sailors. One of the most important people who fought against the Americans was Tecumseh. This Shawnee chief fought with the British as part of his goals of uniting the First Nations Tribes and gaining territory and recognition from both Britain and the USA. Tecumseh and Sir Isaac Brock became friends as they fought the Americans together. British victories at both Fort Detroit and Queenston Heights, own a debt to the valiant efforts of Tecumseh and his Native warriors. Unfortunately, the death of his friend, Sir Isaac Brock, and the American victory on Lake Erie would eventually lead to Tecumseh’s own death before the war ended. Tecumseh had a strong impact on the Canadian Identity. His efforts helped to force the American invaders back and kept Canada independent from the United States. Because he was recognized as a hero, he also started the process of aboriginal understanding and multiculturalism in Canada. In Canada, we know the value of different cultures working together because of the example Tecumseh and Brock were able to set during the War of 1812. It is clear that this war, and the heroic people fighting it, like Tecumseh, was a very defining moment for the Canadian Identity.

Topic sentence introduces the main

ideas of the paragraph War of 1812 Canadian Identity Defining moment

similar, but not the same as, the concluding sentence

Topic Sentence example:The Canadian Identity has been shaped by many different moments in history. One of the most defining moments was the War of 1812.

Idea #1 – The beginning: sets up a specific battle or person; this idea focuses on information found under the questions:Why is this person

fighting?Why are they fighting

here?

Idea #1 - ExampleThis war began when the Americans decided to attack British North America (present-day Canada) in retaliation for the British theft of their ships and sailors. One of the most important people who fought against the Americans was Tecumseh. This Shawnee chief fought with the British as part of his goals of uniting the First Nations Tribes and gaining territory and recognition from both Britain and the USA.

Idea #2 – The middle: this idea is focused on the specific information about the person and/or battle; answers:What did they achieve?

How was it won?

Idea #2 - ExampleTecumseh and Sir Isaac Brock became friends as they fought the Americans together. British victories at both Fort Detroit and Queenston Heights, own a debt to the valiant efforts of Tecumseh and his Native warriors. Unfortunately, the death of his friend, Sir Isaac Brock, and the American victory on Lake Erie would eventually lead to Tecumseh’s own death before the war ended.

Idea #3- The end: this idea reflects on the Canadian Identity and how the people and battles of 1812 impacted it; answers:What is the legacy?What aspect of the Canadian identity is important?

Idea #3 - ExampleTecumseh had a strong impact on the Canadian Identity. His efforts helped to force the American invaders back and kept Canada independent from the United States. Because he was recognized as a hero, he also started the process of aboriginal understanding and multiculturalism in Canada. In Canada, we know the value of different cultures working together because of the example Tecumseh and Brock were able to set during the War of 1812.

Concluding sentence – wraps up the ideas of the paragraph; returns to:Canadian identitySpecific

person/battleDefining moment

Similar, but not the same as the topic sentence

Concluding Sentence example:

It is clear that this war, and the heroic people fighting it, like Tecumseh, was a very defining moment for the Canadian Identity.