ARGUMENTATIVE WRITING GUIDE HOW TO WRITE ARGUMENTS IN HISTORY

ARGUMENTATIVE WRITING GUIDE HOW TO WRITE ARGUMENTS IN HISTORY

OVERVIEW OF AN ESSAY Introduction - where you will put your thesis statement (claim) Body paragraphs - the bulk of your paper where you provide evidence to your claim Conclusion - restatement of main ideas from your essay

INTRODUCTION 3-5 SENTENCES

HOOK EM, DON T CHASE EM (AS IN AWAY) Hook your reader 1-2 sentences use a quote ask a question set the scene or event use a fact or statistic

PROMPT EXAMPLE What impact did the Catholic Church have on Europe during the Middle Ages? Examples of possible hooks: Beginning under the Roman Empire, intellectual leadership in the West had been provided by Christianity. In the middle ages, who invented the first universities - in Paris, Oxford, Cambridge? The church. Nancy Pearcey once spoke of the Middle Ages as reliant upon the Catholic Church. OR Fighting and chaos, turmoil and lawlessness reigned during the Middle Ages. What could provide hope, leadership and learning? The Catholic Church. OR By the year 1000, Europe reached a population of 38 million. The Catholic Church became a unifying element for the people of many different countries.

TRANSITION TIE YOUR HOOK TO YOU THESIS STATEMENT Transition 1-2 sentences allows your paragraph to flow into your thesis statement can give background information bridge your hook to your thesis

LET S ADD ON TO OUR EXAMPLE ONE TRANSITION COULD WORK FOR ANY ONE OF OUR HOOKS Beginning under the Roman Empire, intellectual leadership in the West had been provided by Christianity. In the middle ages, who invented the first universities - in Paris, Oxford, Cambridge? The church. Nancy Pearcey once spoke of the Middle Ages as reliant upon the Catholic Church. To Europeans living during medieval times, the Church was the center of life. Fighting and chaos, turmoil and lawlessness reigned during the Middle Ages. What could provide hope, leadership and learning? The Catholic Church. To Europeans living during medieval times, the Church was the center of life. By the year 1000, Europe reached a population of 38 million. The Catholic Church became a unifying element for the people of many different countries. To Europeans living during medieval times, the Church was the center of life.

THESIS STATEMENT WHAT IS YOU ESSAY ABOUT? Thesis Statement 1 sentence ONLY the main idea of your essay presents your claim to the reader always the last sentence of the introduction only one sentence in length - always

NOW, ADD THE THESIS STATEMENT TO OUR EXAMPLES Beginning under the Roman Empire, intellectual leadership in the West had been provided by Christianity. In the middle ages, who invented the first universities - in Paris, Oxford, Cambridge? The church. Nancy Pearcey once spoke of the Middle Ages as reliant upon the Catholic Church. To Europeans living during medieval times, the Church was the center of life. Throughout the Middle Ages, the Catholic Church played a pivotal role in the political, economic, and social aspects of European life. Fighting and chaos, turmoil and lawlessness reigned during the Middle Ages. What could provide hope, leadership and learning? The Catholic Church. To Europeans living during medieval times, the Church was the center of life. Throughout the Middle Ages, the Catholic Church played a pivotal role in the political, economic, and social aspects of European life. By the year 1000, Europe reached a population of 38 million. The Catholic Church became a unifying element for the people of many different countries. To Europeans living during medieval times, the Church was the center of life. Throughout the Middle Ages, the Catholic Church played a pivotal role in the political, economic, and social aspects of European life.

WHAT DO WE SEE? Each paragraph, regardless of hook, works to introduce the reader to your topic. There is more than one right way to start an essay.

BODY PARAGRAPHS 6-7 SENTENCES EACH

ANATOMY OF A BODY PARAGRAPH FOR ARGUMENTATIVE WRITING 1. Topic Sentence introduces the main idea of your paragraph do not front load topic sentences with everything your are going to talk about in the paragraph that leads to boring writing 2. Evidence provide proof that your claim is correct this should be fact, not opinion 3. Analysis analyze the evidence from the sentence above What does it mean? What does it show? How does this prove your claim? 4. Evidence provide another piece of proof to back up your claim do not just say your first piece of evidence in a new way you need a new fact! 5. Analysis analyze this new piece of evidence 6. Concluding Sentence sum up your paragraph in a different way from topic sentence you may link to next paragraph

LET S REFER BACK TO OUR EXAMPLE Thesis Statement: Throughout the Middle Ages, the Catholic Church played a pivotal role in the political, economic, and social aspects of European life. Topic Sentences for Body Paragraphs: Body Paragraph 1: The Catholic Church fought against European rulers for supreme political control. Body Paragraph 2: Throughout the Middle Ages, the Church controlled large amounts of land and money. Body Paragraph 3: At the center of society was the Catholic Church.

BODY PARAGRAPH ORDER always put paragraphs in chronological order if there is no chronological order: rate your paragraphs place your weakest paragraph in the middle save your strongest paragraph for last

CONCLUSION 3-4 SENTENCES

HOW TO CONCLUDE Sentence 1: Refer back to thesis statement. Sentence 2: Summarize the main ideas or topic sentences from your body paragraphs -could be two sentences Sentence 3: Refer back to hook or give a final thought about the prompt