February 16, 2017

OK, I have been making notes on essays all day long and have come to the conclusion that I have made the same few notes over and over and over.  So instead of posting comments on each paper as I had planned, I want to make a few specific observations I want you all to focus on for tomorrow:

• Your intro paragraphs should END with your thesis statements.
  
• Read your thesis statements carefully after you write them as ask yourself "does it answer the question?"  Many of these thesis statements did not, even after I gave you notes to fix them.  If the questions asks "patterns," that is NOT "causes," "motives," or "goals."  Most of you were answering a "how" question with "why" responses.
  
• Your body paragraphs are not for dumping facts.  Use the facts to create an argument.  Just like your thesis should have a phrase like"although..." or "while some evidence supports..." followed by a SPECIFIC counterpoint to set up argument, your body paragraphs should follow through on that argument.  Think about how your essay would change with the inclusion of phrases such as "this implies that..." or "which illustrates that..." or "which indicates that..." after you list and explain a piece of evidence!  That turn it into an argument because now you are forced to explain how your evidence ties to your thesis argument.
• To answer a few questions folks have asked:  The MINIMUM requirements for full credit on the essay tomorrow are
  
  • A GOOD, SOLID thesis which 1) answers the question, 2) sets up argument with a specific counterpoint, and 3) includes two to three SPECIFIC main points which the essay will explore.
  • At LEAST two body paragraphs, each focusing on developing the argument in support of one of your main points by 1) setting up the argument with a topic sentence, 2) identifying a FEW SPECIFIC pieces of historical evidence, 3) explaining or analyzing that evidence and 4) tying that evidence to your thesis using one of the phrases I shared above or one similar.
  • Takes a few (2-3) sentences to explain the counterpoint in more detail and explain why it is less significant than the main points you offer in support of your argument.

OK, I think I have ranted enough in my flu-ridden state.  Heed this advice and you will do FINE tomorrow!

​H