Mr. Walker’s Class

History Essay Assignment #1

--Important Details --

DATE ASSIGNED: FRIDAY 10/16/09

DUE DATE: MONDAY 10/19/09

POINTS POSSIBLE: 20 – (5 points per paragraph)

-- The Assignment --

  • You are required to write a 4-paragraph essay based on the topics and prompts we covered during our literacy initiative work.
  • Your essay should adhere to the following outline:
  • Paragraph #1 – Introduction
  • Paragraph #2 – Example #1
  • Paragraph #3 – Example #2
  • Paragraph #4 – Conclusion

*More info on paragraph structure on the opposite side of this sheet!

  • Your essay must include, an underlined thesis statement and 2 examples that support your thesis statement.

-- The Prompts --

  • Your essay must address the following prompt:

African American History:

  1. Describe Olaudah Equiano’s journey following his capture. Was Equiano’s journey easy or difficult? Be sure to support your answer with 2 supporting examples from the reading.
  2. Consult pages 48-49 for more information.

World History:

  1. Explain how achievements made by the ancient Egyptians have helped us in our modern world today. Give two examples from the reading to support your answer
  2. Consult pages 40 – 41 for more information.

-- Got Questions --

  1. Ask questions in class.
  2. Ask your classmates for help.
  3. Email Mr. Walker
  4. Lecture Slides will be posted online

-- Important Info on Essay Structure --

  1. Essay Outline
  2. Paragraph #1 -- Intro
  3. Paragraph #2 -- 1st Idea (supporting details/examples)
  4. Paragraph #3 -- 2nd Idea (supporting details/examples)
  5. Paragraph #4 -- Conclusion

*Remember each paragraph is about 4—5 sentences (or more)

“What’s a Thesis?”

DEFN: A statement that is made at the beginning of a paper that sets out the author’s argument and opinions.

  • It’s your purpose in your paper
  • The statement/argument that you make is what you will write to support and prove to your reader.

“What’s in an Intro?” Intro Paragraph (4-5 sentences minimum)

1. Introductory topic sentence

  • Introduce the topic of your essay with some brief introductory remarks (1-2 sentences)

2. State your thesis (1 sentence)

  • States your argument/opinion – what you are going to try and prove to your reader.

3. State what ideas/examples you are going to discuss

  • These sentences explain what your examples are, and how they support your thesis (1-2 sentences).

“What’s in a body paragraph?” Idea/Example Paragraphs (2 of these)

  • 1-2 sentences to describe the idea/example.
  • 1-2 sentences that explain how this idea/example supports your thesis.

“What’s in a Conclusion?”

  • DEFN: A recap of your topic that successfully closes your paper.
  1. “Recap your topic” – (1-2 sentences)
  2. Describe the topic similar to how you introduced it.
  3. “Recap your examples”
  4. Describe what your examples were, and how they supported your thesis (1-2 sentences)
  5. Restate Your Thesis (1 sentence)
  6. Restate your argument/opinion and conclude the paper