Write an essay on your takeaways from the slideshow on writing fundamentals and how to improve your history essays. In essence, what did you learn? Do not use chat gpt or you will not get paid.
How to Improve Your History Essays Writing Fundamentals & Essay Writing Tips A well-written essay… Answers the question or prompt completely and comprehensively Presents a clear thesis (central argument) Is well organized and supported by evidence Expresses ideas clearly and concisely Clarity Tips for Writing Clear Sentences – Grammar Sentence Structure Untangle your sentences by putting words in the correct order. Subject – Verb – Object or Who – Is Doing What – To Whom. Note: This will also help you avoid passive voice. Sentence Structure Example Instead of: The declaration of independence was written by Thomas Jefferson. Use: Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence. Subject/Verb Agreement: Make sure your subjects and verbs agree in number. Singular subjects need singular verbs. Plural subjects need plural verbs. Subject/Verb Agreement: Examples In his article “The Pueblo Revolt and its Aftermath,” Ramon A. Gutierrez discusses the Pueblo Revolt as a significant turning point for Spanish colonization in New Mexico. Borderlands historians often discuss the social, political, and cultural interactions and exchanges between various groups who interact with one another within a shared region. Parallel Structure: Use the same pattern of words when combining two or more words, phrases, or clauses. Instead of: “Educated women formed reading circles, established benevolent societies, and were founding voluntary organizations.” Use: “Educated women formed reading circles, established benevolent societies, and founded voluntary organizations.” Prepositions: Avoid ending sentences with prepositions (to, for, about, with, by, from, in, of, on). Instead of: “Liberty is something Thomas Jefferson fought for.” Use: “Thomas Jefferson fought for liberty.” Pronouns with Unclear Antecedents: If you are using a pronoun (he, she, it, they, them, etc) to replace a noun in a sentence, make sure it is clear to your reader which noun you are replacing. Instead of: “Although French colonizers and Algonquians often compromised to find solutions to conflicts by attempting to understand their cultural practices, they still believed they were superior to them.” Use: “Although French colonizers often compromised with Algonquians to find solutions to conflicts by attempting to understand their cultural practices, the French still believed they were superior to the Algonquians.” Clarity Tips for Writing Clear Sentences – Style Passive Voice (any form of the verb to be + past participle): Passive voice can weaken your writing and lead to unclear sentences. Use active voice whenever possible. Instead of: “It was argued by St. Clair that Native Americans were incapable of organizing a coordinated, multi-tribal attack.” Use: “St. Clair argued Native Americans were incapable of organizing a coordinated, multi-tribal attack.” Note: There are exceptions, but this is generally a good rule to follow. Keep It Simple: Avoid overly long and complex sentences that reduce clarity. a. Delete words that are meaningless, redundant, or implied. Examples actually, really, past history, period of time, continue on, large in size Keep It Simple: Avoid overly long and complex sentences that reduce clarity. b. Replace a phrase with a word when you can. Instead of: “Despite the fact that…” or “In the event that…” Use: “Although…” or “If…” Keep It Simple: Avoid overly long and complex sentences that reduce clarity. c. Limit the number of unnecessary phrases, particularly “of” phrases that can be replaced by a possessive noun. Instead of: “Walter Johnson showcases the dependence of slaveholders on slaves.” Use: “Walter Johnson showcases slaveholders’ dependence on slaves.” Writing Your Essay Getting Started Read the Question/Prompt Identify the question Look for clues Answer the question in 1-2 sentences (Thesis) What is a Thesis? A thesis statement expresses the main argument or central claim of your paper. (Hint: It should answer the question/prompt directly and completely) A strong thesis statement contains a “what” and a “why,” as well as addresses the counterargument. When putting these elements together to form a thesis statement, use the formula Although “A” (counterargument), “B” (what) because “C” (why). USING A SERIES OF QUESTIONS TO DEVELOP A THESIS STATEMENT Sample Prompt: To what extent was the United States becoming more democratic between 1790 and 1860? In your answer, discuss three of the following, political, social, cultural, and economic changes during the period. Questions What is your topic? Sample Responses The democratization of the United States between 1790 and 1860. What is your stance on the topic? The United States became increasingly democratic between 1790 State this as a complete sentence. and 1860. (B) Why do you believe this? State because deferential attitudes towards authority declined as equality your reasons in a “because” became an essential part the United States’ national ideology. clause. (C) Counterargument: Why would Although the United States failed to become a truly egalitarian someone disagree? State the society as racial, gender, and socioeconomic groups continued to be opposing opinion in an marginalized, “although” clause. (A) Although “A,” “B” because “C.” Although the United States failed to become a truly egalitarian society as racial, gender, and socioeconomic groups continued to be Note: It may be necessary to marginalized, the United States became increasingly democratic revise or simplify your final thesis between 1790 and 1860 because deferential attitudes towards statement. authority declined as equality became an essential part the United States’ national ideology. Organizing Your Ideas Find your main points (the ideas that support your thesis) Order your main points from weakest to strongest Create an outline that provides the blueprint for your paper Benefits of Outlining Organizes your ideas Helps prevent writers block Helps prevent stream of consciousness rambling Helps you avoid tangents Helps you avoid redundancies Helps ensure you answer all aspects of the question I.Intro •Address the question •Provide context/main points •Present thesis II. Body A.Main Point 1 Basic Outline Template: Roughly 4-page Analytical Paper 1.Supporting Idea 1 2.Supporting Idea 2 B.Main Point 2 3.Supporting Idea 1 4.Supporting Idea 2 C.Main Point 3 5.Supporting Idea 1 6.Supporting Idea 2 III. Conclusion •Restate your thesis and main points •Present the “So What” Writing Body Paragraphs A body paragraph communicates an idea that helps support the central argument/thesis of your paper. Body paragraphs should not contain more than one main idea. Each body paragraph should consist of 3-6 sentences and be roughly a half page in length (Hint: If you paragraph is longer than this, it probably contains more than one idea and/or irrelevant information). Each of your body paragraphs ought to have the following: a topic sentence, evidence, and analysis. Topic Sentence Topic Sentence: Your body paragraph should begin with a topic sentence. Topic sentences are like mini thesis statements that introduce the main idea of the paragraph. When writing your topic sentences: Ask yourself: Does my topic sentence express the main idea clearly and coherently? Does the main idea support the central argument/thesis of my paper? Avoid: Topic sentences that are unrelated to the paragraph’s main idea. Topic sentences that introduce a theme, example, author, or source. Topic sentences that are overly general or contain quotes. Topic sentences that introduce a point of fact and not an idea. Evidence Evidence: Your body paragraph should have examples that directly support the main idea expressed in your topic sentence. When including evidence: Ask yourself: Do I provide specific examples that prove the main idea? Do I present my examples in a logical order? Avoid: Making unsupported claims. Using evidence that is irrelevant or vague. Adding a quote just to add a quote. Long quotes, especially in short papers. Analysis Analysis: Your body paragraph should have analysis that explains how your examples support the main idea of the paragraph and/or how the main idea supports your thesis. When including your analysis: Ask yourself: Do I clearly explain how each example illustrates the main idea and/or thesis? Avoid: Simply restating your quote or example as analysis. Connecting evidence to a different idea. Presenting examples and analysis out of sequence. Presenting points of fact as analysis. Anatomy a Body Paragraph Plagiarism Plagiarism is presenting someone else’s words or ideas as your own. Plagiarism includes paraphrasing someone else work without citing your source. Use quotation marks and citations to avoid plagiarism. Note: Common knowledge does not require citation. For more information, watch SMC’s video tutorials: http://www.smc.edu/StudentServices/StudentJudicial Affairs/Pages/Plagiarism-Video-Tutorial.aspx Other Things to Avoid Avoid first person: “I,” “we,” “us” Avoid contractions: “don’t,” “can’t,” “it’s” Avoid sweeping generalizations: “always,” “never,” “all” Avoid broad statements: “Throughout history…,” “Since the beginning of time…” Avoid words that imply value judgements: “good,” “bad,” “ugly” Avoid starting your paper or paragraph with a quote Introduction and Conclusion Introduction: Conclusion: Serves as a road map to your paper Wraps up your paper Addresses the question Provides context/main points Presents thesis Restates your thesis and main points Presents the “so what” Note: Do not introduce new ideas your conclusion So, you have finished writing your essay… What are you going to do next? PROOFREAD, PROOFREAD, PROOFREAD!!! Many grammatical errors can be found by proofreading. Take some time away from your paper before you proofread. If you have access to a printer, print out your draft and review the hard copy. Read your draft out loud.
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