Effects of the Civil War Thesis & Intro Writing Activity

Effects of the Civil War Thesis & Intro Writing Activity

You will write an in-class intro paragraph essay on the effects of the Civil War. You should primarily use class notes (Civil War, Reconstruction, Closing of the Frontier, Industrialization), your homework packets, and your text to guide you in preparing for your essay.  Required: 1. An intro paragraph with a clear thesis statement with three clear subcategories to serve as your body paragraph topics if you were required to write the entire essay. 2. Complete the chart provided with specific evidence you would use to support each body paragraph (minimum 3 per paragraph).

Prompt: What were the three most significant effects of the Civil War on America society between 1861 and 1876?

Effects can be political, economic, & social or any combination thereof.

1. Carefully read and analyze the question

• What is the essence of the question? What task is it asking you to perform? Compare and

contrast?  Cause and effects? etc.

• Define any key terms for yourself that are necessary to understand the question – if any.
• Identify the date parameters. What is the significance of both the start and end date of the range given?

2. Develop a Tentative Thesis/Position

• This is the argument your paper will make and support.
• Make sure your thesis answers all parts of the question and is well developed
• Make sure you take a strong and clear stand
• Introduce the subcategories (usually three) that will serve as your body paragraph topics             (these may be provided for you in the question or you may need to create your own)

3. Brainstorm & Categorize

• Create an organizational chart (provided) – List the subcategories or topics for your body paragraphs                         from your thesis to help organize your ideas.
• List every relevant issue, historical term, name, event (think KEY TERMS) from the time period that                             might apply to your essay.

5. Revise Your Thesis and Categories as Necessary

• Revise your thesis, if necessary, and consider creating a complex type of thesis statement by using a                         key word such as “although,” “despite,” “however,” etc.
• Make sure that each main point is well supported with appropriate analysis and multiple examples.(unique_solution)

6. Proofread

• Use any extra time to reread your essay.
• Make corrections that are neat and easy to read and understand.

Reminders: Avoid 1^st person: I, me, my, our, we. Keep tone formal and avoid slang or informal language

• Make sure you stick to information in the date range. Writing should be in the past tense only

INTRODUCTION FORMAT

* Introduction should be brief – anywhere from 4 to 5 sentences.

* Avoid a silly “Hook” sentence or rhetorical question to begin your essay.

Background Info— Begin with a sentence or two setting up the historical background of the essay – introducing the time and setting.

Thesis—The position you will argue and support. This is definitely the most important sentence in your essay. It should be clear but not short. Well-developed thesis statements often include key words such as “although” and may stretch two or even three sentences in length.

Subcategories—This sentence or group of sentences introduces the reader to the main points that will support your thesis and will be fully developed in your essay. It is best to keep these in the same order throughout your essay.

PREWRITING SHEET

INTRO-THESIS RUBRIC

Thesis

q         Well developed, sophisticated, and clearly focused, clear subcategories (5-6)

• Clear and adequate, clear subcategories (4)
• Basic/lacking sophistication, but clear, vague subcategories (3)

q         Confused-doesn’t clearly answer question, limited, no subcategories (2-)

q         No thesis or provides an inappropriate response (0-1)

Background Info & Evidence

• Abundant, appropriate, dealing with all aspects of question (5-6)
• Substantial, but inconsistent use of concrete details (4)

q         Uses some factual information, argument lacks details and development 3)

q         Superficial evidence or missing key supporting information (2)

q         Little or no specific evidence (0-1)

Writing Style

• Well organized and sophisticated writing (5-6)
• Well organized, clearly written (4)

q         Acceptable organization and writing (3)

q         Disorganized and/or awkwardly written, confusing (2)

q         May be incomprehensible, unclear (0-1)

Error Level

q         No errors or errors are insignificant (5-6)

• May contain very minor errors (4)
• Has some errors, but argument is still clear (3)

q         May contain major errors, or errors distract from argument (2)

q         Has substantial factual errors (0-1)

Overall Score:     0        1        2        3        4        5        6

5+ to 6+ = A

4-5 = B

3= C

2 = D

0-1 =  F