Student Example:
Analysis Detailed Paragraph
Topic Sentence:Based on the data collected, the excavated site suggests that it belonged to a family passing by on the Oregon Trail.
Support Sentence #1:One example to support this inference is that there were household objects present, including a metal tool, a tin can, and a frying pan.
Evidence/Direct Quote for Support Sentence #1: As evidence that these objects could have belonged to a family on the Oregon Trail, “Cooking on the trail would require a camp stove, camp kettles, and a tin reflector, plus frying pans” (Peavy 17).
Commentary Sentences: This evidence shows that many Oregon Trail pioneers had to travel with these kitchen items in their wagons to cook with and set up camp with. Furthermore, several of the objects at the site could have been used to set up a kitchen and prepare meals for the family, which supports the inference that these objects were used by a family passing through the area.
Support Sentence #2:Another example to support this inference was the location of the objects in Boise because the Oregon Trail did pass through Idaho –very near where the excavated site was located.
Evidence/Direct Quote for Support Sentence #2:To show the route of the Oregon Trail, the text states, “From there it went southwest toCamas Prairieand ended atOld Fort Boiseon theBoise River. This journey typically took two to three weeks and was noted for its very rough, lava restricted roads and extremely dry climate, which tended to dry the wooden wheels on the wagons, which caused the iron rims to fall off the wheels” (“Route of the Oregon Trail”).
Commentary Sentences:As described, the Oregon Trail ran along the Boise River and even made it to Old Fort Boise, which is only a few miles from the current location of Sage International School. This reveals that this would have been a very plausible stop for families along the way, and in fact, there was a rusted metal hoop at the site that resembled a part of a wheel that could have fallen from the wagon.
Concluding Sentence:Based on the evidence provided and the objects excavated at the site, the archaeological site likely belonged to a family of pioneers headed West on the Oregon Trail.