A Historiographical essay

Getting Started• Read the WHOLE question thoroughly.

• Code what is being asked.–question is about (A, B OR C)

• answer by talking about this (1)• and this (2)• and this (3)

Sample QuestionCode the following:

"Throughout the colonial period, economic concerns had

more to do with settling British North America than did

religious concerns." Assess the validity of this statement

with specific references to economic and religious concerns.

Sample Question

•Analyze the difference between the New England

settlements in the South and those in New England in

the seventeenth century in terms of TWO of the

following:

Politics religion economic development

Before Writing•Plan what you are going to write•Better thought out = Better written essay. •Brainstorm the answer to the question:

BrainstormBrainstorm:

“How are S & NEng col diff in politicsand economic development?” Diff by

Sample Question

Although New England and the Chesapeake region were

both settled largely by people of English origin, by 1700

the regions had evolved into two distinct societies. Why

did this difference in development occur?

Before Writing•Brainstorm:

“Why did VA & Mass dev diff?” B/C of

Types of settlers GeographyMotives for colonization

Thesis Development

• Does it answer all the question? (apply code)

• Does it list your ideas for your middle paragraphs?

Complete thesis?

Although both English based, the regions

of New England and Chesapeake evolved

into two distinct societies because of the

types of settlers that colonized the area,

their motives for colonization and the

geography of the area they settled.

Complete thesis?

Analyze the difference between the England settlements in the South and the English colonies in New England in the seventeenth century in terms of TWO of the following:

Politics religion economic development

Complete thesis?

Throughout the colonial period, economic

concerns had more to do with settling British

North America than did religious concerns. Assess

the validity of this statement with specific

references to economic and religious concerns.

• The first sentence includes an attention getting statement about the question.

• Following sentences should include the time, subject, place.

• The LAST SENTENCE, the thesis statement, is the answer supporting your position.

Introduction

Sample Into & Thesis

By the turn of the seventeenth century twelve of the English colonies were well on their way to surviving in the New World. The only colony not begun before 1700 was Georgia. These twelve colonies though unique as individual colonies several began to form similarities. Although by the 18th century Eastern America had been colonized by Englishmen, motives, geography, and settlers themselves created two distinct societies, New England and Chesapeake.

Before WritingMatch ideas to evidence and history

Concept (category) 1 = __________ Evidence:

1. 2. 3.

Analysis1.

2.

3.

Concept (category 2) = __________ Evidence:1. 2.

3.

Analysis1. 2.

3.

Concept (category 3) = __________ Evidence:1.

2.

3.

Analysis1.

2.

3.

Before Writing

•Brainstorm what you know

•(TERMS! explanations (how/why)

• Good, relevant, evidence, not fluff.

A MOTIVES B SETTLERS C GEOGRAPHYProof 1

Proof 2

Proof 3

Before Writing

Religious persecution& profit = Puritans

Profit = Virginia Company

Religious persecution = Roger Williams

A MOTIVES B SETTLERS C GEOGRAPHY Proof 1

Proof 2

Proof 3

Before Writing

Single malesJamestown

Indentured servantsJamestown

families= Plymouth

A MOTIVES B SETTLERS C GEOGRAPHYProof 1

Proof 2

Proof 3

Before Writing

Ports, lumberS At trade; MB, NE

Land suitable forPlantations, Car, Va

Swamp; growingJamestown, MD

Analyzing Evidence

• How does proof answer the question and thesis?

• Is it a quality argument (show cause/effect)?Profit was definitely a motive that caused the two regions to develop differently. Because the Virginia Company, a joint stock company that established Jamestown was in the Americas to make a profit their focus was on gold and not setting up a colony. This lack of attention to food and shelter caused many to die the first winter which was not experienced in the New England colonies. Because of the lack of gold found, they had to find another way to survive, curing tobacco. Tobacco needed large areas to grow and much manpower to harvest which led to the plantation system and slavery being connected with the region.

• Is there relevant and specific proof ?

• Is there proof throughout the entire essay?

• Is each proof defined accurately?

• Is each proof explained HOW it answers

the question and follows the thesis?

Body of FRQ

Conclusion

• Review main points once more.

• Do not include proof in the conclusion or introduction.

• An impressive conclusion can relate the thesis towards living today; or show the historical future.

• Write legibly, neatly and to the point.

• Ask: “Am I answering the question?”

• Write in third person, always.

• Use correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Good content can not make up for poor writing.

Writing Guidelines

Tips for Survival

•Budget your time.

•Long essays are not always good essays, but

short essays are never good essays.

•Stay confident! You can write a FRQ!

•Best advice is to be prepared.

•We will practice, practice, practice

PPP modified from original source: Matt Tassinari, Palmdale H.S. School House Rock Video