ESSAY+WRITING

In general, what are the key characteristics of excellent writing?
 * ACTIVITY #1**
 * Answering the question
 * Topic sentence
 * stays on topic
 * engaging
 * good flow

What are additional keys to excellent writing in social studies?
 * reference to text
 * key terms
 * Supporteed main idea


 * ACTIVITY # 2 **
 * 15 keys to excellent (social studies) essay writing: **


 * 1) Be knowledgeable about your content--
 * 2) Read the directions / prompt / question carefully . it is important to know which question you are answering and what it is asking of you.
 * 3) Brainstorm & Outline
 * 4) Have an appropriate title
 * 5) Directly answer the question / respond to the prompt
 * 6) Use a strong, clear thesis statement. ﻿stating your argument gives the reader an idea about what you are writing about.
 * 7) Prove your thesis statement throughout the essay
 * 8) Make sure your arguments are presented in an organized way
 * 9) Include evidence/examples //and// analysis of them
 * 10) Include key terms, academic vocabulary, appropriate research/documents/sources
 * 11) Provide context--WHAT IS AROUND IT... ex war of 1812... talk a little about what came before and what came after.
 * 12) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Acknowledge other POVs / opposing arguments (and disprove them, if possible)
 * 13) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Use correct grammar and spelling
 * 14) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Make sure the paragraphs and sentences flow together, that it’s a smooth read. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #0000ff; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline;">
 * 15) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Finish with something profound <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #0000ff; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline;">﻿---"something deep, thought provoking"
 * 16) <span style="background-color: #ffff00; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Proofread and revise*<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #0000ff; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline;">is super important because it could make a huge difference from getting a perfect score and a good score.

When writing an essay it is really important to read the directions, and questions carefullly so one can know what to do, and how to answer the question they are being asked. If you don't read the question one cannot know how to write the essay that supports one's answer to the question. Another key important key while writing an essay is making sure one proves his or her statement throught the essay to ensure that one doesn't digress to much. Last but not least proofreading and revising is essential because if you have a great essay but you make a few grammar or punctuation mistakes you score could be affected.

Some of my strengths as a social studies essay writer is answering the question and stating my thesies. I usually have trouble with using evidence/examples and analysis of them to support my thesis. If I use a piece of text sometimes I use too much or too little and I don't support my main idea. Another weakness I harbor is making sure my agruments are presented in an organized way. I sometimes, don't arrange my evidence in any order and I find my writing bouncing all over because my context doesn't flow.
 * ACTIVITY #3**

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">__[]__
 * ACTIVITY #4**

generate a list of things you need to know and be able to do in order to respond to this prompt


 * what were some military tactics the United States used against Britain?
 * what diplomatic solutions were suggested by both country's? were there any?.
 * what were some political debates that took place about the revolutionary war?

Which parts of essay writing does the 8-9 essay incorporate? Thesis statement,being knowlegable about the content, including evidence and examples, flowing writing, and proofreading and revising are the parts of essay writing that an 8-9 point essay should incorporate.

What are the main differences between an 8-9 essay and a 5-7 essay? In an essay that scores 5-7 the writer doesn't complete all of the writing parts 100%, for example an 8-9 essay is more organized, it flows better and it has a powerful theisis statement, but in the 5-7 to essay the theisis statement isn't as convincing, nor is the evidence that supports it.The 5-7 essay doesn't flow andit has multiple mistakes.

I would give this essay an 8.5 because the thesis statement that adresses the potical, diplomatic, and military reasons why the U.S. won the Revoluntionary war. The essay contains evidence supporting all three parts of the thesis statement. The essay includes the analysis of the evidence and examples. The essay is very well written and it flows really well. lastly the essay has minor errors but it doesn't take away from its context.
 * ACTIVITY #5**


 * ACTIVITY # 6**
 * Proper structure of a 5 paragrapgh social studies essay.**

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Essay Structure <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">__Title__ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> – always have a title that you have created
 * Title-**
 * Introduction**
 * **Topic sentence answering the question**
 * **context**
 * **thesis**
 * Main Body Paragraphs(3)**
 * **proving thesis**
 * **using evidence/examples, analysis of evidence**
 * **key terms, acedemic vocabulary**
 * Conclusion**
 * **Wrap up the essay**
 * **connect to present**
 * **profound ending**

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">__Intro Paragraph__ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">:
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Introduce the topic with a general topic sentence.
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Include a year or time frame.
 * Provide context: explain key background and related info for the time period and topic. A little of before and a little of the after the specific you are  writing about. give the reader some background information about your topic.
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Transition into a brief, general mention of the specific topic of the essay.
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Provide a <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">__Thesis Statement__ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> that clearly responds to the essay question or topic. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #0000ff; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">﻿ Include subtopics.
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Make sure the sentences connect, that the paragraph flows.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">__Body Paragraphs__ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">:
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Break the essay into specific subtopics (which should have been mentioned in your thesis statement)
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Begin each body paragraph with a TOPIC SENTENCE that is basically a thesis statement for that paragraph’s subtopic
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Topic sentences should bridge the previous paragraph (may require only one word to make a bridge (e.g. “also”)) <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #0000ff; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline;">makes the paragraphs flow
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Follow general topic sentences with specific details, examples, evidence (from documents/research if applicable)
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Include key terms, names, dates, events, and data (#s)
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">ANALYZE your evidence and examples - why are they important? what do they show? So what?!
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">PROVE YOUR THESIS throughout each paragraph

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">4) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">__Conclusion Paragraph__ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">:
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Summarize some of the most important information from the essay. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #0000ff; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Your main arguments.
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Acknowledge opposing arguments (and refute, if possible).
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Restate your thesis in different words.
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Explain why your topic is important in the big picture of history (so what?) and/or give a preview of what is or may be next to come...give your audience something strong to leave with. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #0000ff; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">﻿Profound ending.


 * ACTIVITY #7**

I usually have trouble with making my paragraphs flow, so my writing isn't smooth, and also have trouble coming up with captivating topic sentences. I make up titles pretty good that is usually my favorite part of writing an essay. writing is part of the reason why I am not sure I want to take AP U.S. history. My U.S. I teacher said that I should wait until my writing gets better.


 * ACTIVITY #8**

What is a thesis statement? Why are thesis statements so important? A thesis statement is a sentence that potrays a writer's opinion on an arguement or in a situation. Thesis statments are important because they let the reader know where they stand regarding a specific subject.

what is the thesis statement used in that essay? What is your evaluation of that thesis statement? " A myriad of political, diplomatic, and military advantages all eventually produced a republican experiment that would shake the balance of power for centuries." Since the student was asked to analyze the political,diplomatic, and military reasons why the U.S won the revolutionary war I think thesis statement is good because states his or her purpose for writing the essay.


 * ACTIVITY #9**

Thesis Statements a. What is my topic? b. What argument am I prepared to make? c. How can I state my argument as clearly and powerfully as possible? d. Is my statement a direct answer to the question or response to the prompt or claim about the topic?
 * 1) A thesis statement is an argument. It is a 1-2 sentence statement of the purpose of your essay: what will you be proving to the reader in the essay?
 * 2) It should be toward the end of an introductory paragraph and include enough specifics that the reader has a general idea of the key points you will make to support your biggest claim.
 * 3) Your thesis statement should likely be a compound sentence, including a preview of the major points you will make to support your big claim. So, instead of writing a simple thesis statement like "The end of World War II brought about major consequences" you should probably write something like "When World War II ended in 1945, the major consequences included the division of Germany, the start of the United Nations, and the beginning of the Cold War."
 * 4) To write your thesis, ask yourself 4 questions:

Compound Sentence- two sentences that both incomplete but are combined with a semicolon--- includes two independent clauses that are joined together by a coordinator or conjuctio (and, but, therefore,

The Second thesis statement is bettet than the first because it explains the writer's argument and it includes the subtopics that they will be talking about to help prove their argument.


 * ACTIVITY #10**

Prompt A: choice 1 because the student states his/her argument and explains the reasons to support her thesis statement. Prompt B:choice 1 because the student answers directly to the prompt or question and he/she goes further and explains how the abolitionist movement was divided. Prompt C:choice 1 because thee student answers the question and aknowledges other POVs. Choice 2 thesis statement didn't even answer the question and they said that Andrew Jackson was the 8th president which is wrong because Andrew Jackson was the 7th President of the U.S.


 * ACTIVITY #11**

United States should not deny people the chance to come to America just because they cannot speak English because they could always learn English, they could help our economy by getting jobs that depend on the languages they speak, and it is discrimination. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: lower-alpha; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Burger King is the best fast food restaurant operating today because the burgers that are made in Burger King are delicious, they are bigger and they look better. The United States should never attack another country that has not directly threatened it, because it isn't it isn't fair for the other country, Many innocent people will die by getting caught in the cross fire, and the United States does not have a right to attack another country with being threatened first, unless a genocide is occurring. Education does not discriminate but some teenagers often drop out. They think school is not for them and they think getting their GED is a better option, some teenagers drop out of school to help support their families, and others drop out because of peer pressure or they have just fallen into the wrong paths. Movies should have sequels because the sequel continue the stories, they have different story plots, and they bring different characters as well as the old ones.
 * Should immigrants be allowed into the United States if they cannot speak basic English?
 * What is the best fast food restaurant operating today?
 * Should the United States ever attack another country that has not attacked the U.S. first?
 * Analyze the reasons for which some teenagers drop out of school
 * Asses this statement: no movie should ever have a sequel.


 * ACTIVITY #12**

ACCESS DENIED
People say the best way to learn a new language and a new culture is to put yourself right in the middle of it. Immigrants have always looked to the U.S as a safe haven when running away from economic issues, poverty, hunger, and wars. Despite how well immigrants speak basic English they look forward to coming to the U.S. because they know they will have endless opportunities. The United States should not deny people the chance to come to America just because they cannot speak English because they can always learn English, they could help our economy by getting jobs that depend on the languages they speak, and it is not the right thing do as people. Most people around the world know English and those people who come to the United States without knowing English should not be denied access into the land of opportunities. If people who are trying to get into the U.S. do ,not know how to speak English we should be welcoming them in and helping them learn English so they can take advantage of the opportunities that are available. If people run away to the U.S. from wars, hunger, poverty, or fear of their government and they are denied the chance to have a better life and if we turn our backs on them, that makes us as a country worse than the place they are running from. Therefore it is not right for us to do that to people.


 * ACTIVITY #13**


 * Below are some very specific tips on writing. These tips are mostly meant for formal social studies essay writing, not your notes (notes should be more informal). Most of these apply most of the time, not all the time, you still must make your own decisions during your writing.**
 * **Read through the tips below. Then copy them into your notebook under a heading of "Activity 13" in your Essay Writing page.**
 * 1) Learn the commonly misspelled words: their vs. there vs. they're, are vs. our, led vs. lead, etc...and then pay attention to these in your work! Confusing Words.com!might be a helpful site for you.
 * 2) Don't use don't: DO NOT use conjunctions (don't, can't, won't, etc). Use do not, can not, will not, etc.
 * 3) Use __ACADEMIC LANGUAGE__: always use key terms AND words like significant, important, aspect, factor, etc. instead of words like big, thing, etc. and use the vocabulary of your topic, including key terms.
 * 4) Learn to write mostly in __compound sentences__, they are usually required in order to write thoughtfully.
 * 5) Become adept at using words and phrases such as: because, however, though, including, along with, for example, similar to, different than, etc...which help create compound sentences and good arguments.
 * 6) Avoid absolutes. Try not to use the words such as never, always, all, none, etc. Instead, use words like most, some, few, almost all, many, etc.
 * 7) Don't use "etc." Instead use "and others" or "and many more" or something similar.
 * 8) Use the __past tense__. Start in the past tense. Stay in the past tense. (You may need to write in another tense, but the key is to not jump around among tenses).
 * 9) Call historical figures by their full name once and then by their last name. Abraham Lincoln should be discussed as Abraham Lincoln once and then called Lincoln after that.
 * 10) Call Americans Americans. Don't call Americans "us" or "we".
 * 11) The United States is a country. Americans are people. A country is "it" whereas a people is "they."
 * 12) Don't use "I" or "In my opinion" or "The two topics I am choosing are _". Just write what you would write after those items.
 * 13) Learn the difference between "between" and "among." Between is for two items, among is for more than two.
 * 14) Every time you make a general point, support it with at least one example or piece of evidence.
 * 15) Recognize (and refute, if possible) at least one argument that opposes the one(s) you are making


 * 1) Based on the 2008 election maps the American people believed Presindent Obama had their best interests at heart when they voted him into office, but in 2010 the people of Amerca believed that President Obama has led them into a bigger hole rather than leading them out.
 * 2) Some people like William McGurn and Daniel Kutzman do not believe that President Obama has done anything productive as President so they realease political cartoons and articles that show that President Obama can not fix the economy.
 * 3) The Hope poster was significant to President Obama's campaign because it put him as the new face of hope and change.
 * 4) Everyone has their own view of President Obama, some people completely agree with his decisions, others disagree with everything he does, and some are in the middle and they disagree and agree with his decisions.
 * 5) President Obama has passed the health bill, and killed Osama bin Laden. however people are still loathe the decisions he is making for the country.
 * 6) In the 2010 House of Representative elections most of the people had changed their viewpoints and voted for republican representatives.
 * 7) During President's Obama Inagauration speech he mentions the wars, the loss of jobs, the bad education and many more issues America is facing.
 * 8) After the photo of the situation room was released to the world we knew that the President, the Vice-President, the Secretary of State and the rest of National defense team watched the raid of Osama bin Laden's home in Pakistan.
 * 9) Norm Smallwood wrote about the different attributes President Obama posses and he also tries to figure out if Obama's economic results will be equal with his character attributes.
 * 10) Americans have the future of their country in their hands. Will President Obama be reelected into office again or will America have a new President.
 * 11) The United States should not attack a country that has not threatened the American people first.
 * 12) William McGurn does not believe that President Obama is a good president because he has not fullied his promises, he has brought any hope, and he is making the economy worse.
 * 13) I cannot wait to be among the people who take part in their government and vote for senator, representatives, and president.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT VIEWPOINTS OF BARACK OBAMA? WHAT ARE THE MAJOR REASONS FOR THESE VIEWPOINTS?
 * ACTIVITY #14**


 * Thesis**: People either think Barack Obama is a great president a horrible president, or both, the reason for these extreme viewpoints is because of how people percive him.


 * Introduction:**
 * 1) campaing (hope)
 * 2) celebrity or presidencial candidate
 * 3) face of hope, change, and progress,
 * 4) campaing
 * 5) thesis
 * Paragraph one Great President:**
 * 1) Face of hope
 * 2) Inagural speech-promises to fix issues
 * 3) months into presidency(judging Obama as a leader)
 * 4) Situtation room picture
 * 5) election map
 * 6) wrap it up proves Obama is well-liked, he promises to change important issues that America is facing, and he is productive(stimulas bill, death of Osama bin laden, health care)
 * Paragraph two Horrible president:**
 * 1) Only good at making speeches and making slow decisions(two modes of Barack Obama.
 * 2) He didn't keep his promises.. the economy is worse(Are you Better off? william Mcgurn)
 * 3) the American people don't like him anymore they need more republicans to stop him(2010 election map)
 * 4) wrap up--President Obama wasn't sure about the economic crisis before he started making promises he can't keep
 * Paragraph three both**:
 * 1) Hope posterObama is going to bring America change
 * 2) Election maps show he had the support of the American people in 2008 but people weren't so sure about democrats in 2010 so they voted republican representatives.
 * 3) he said he wasn't sure how bad the economic crisis was until he really got into it.
 * Closing:**
 * 1) **Restate thesis**
 * 2) cover main points(well-liked, doesn't keep promises, )
 * 3) reflect on present future
 * 4) profound ending...

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