Writing for AP/Social Sciences

1. Writing for AP/Social Sciences 5 Paragraph Essay

2. 5 Paragraph Format • Traditional style of argumentative writing. • Most typical in higher education and beyond • Focus is on an “argument” or “position” taken by the author. • Entire exercise is to PROVE the argument or position taken • NOT descriptive • NOT narrative

3. Basic Structure • Paragraph 1-Introduction • Thesis statement (roadmap for entire essay) • Paragraph 2-data supporting argument • Evidence and information supporting thesis • Paragraph 3-data supporting argument • Evidence and information supporting thesis • Paragraph 4-data supporting argument • Evidence and information supporting thesis • Paragraph 5-Conclusion • Summary of data and illustration of proof

4. The THESIS-Paragraph 1 • The CORE/CENTAL argument of the essay. • The answer to the question posed. • DIRECTLY responds to the question. • Serves as a “roadmap” for both the reader and the author • If YOU get lost in the process of writing your essay, go back and look at your thesis. • ALWAYS found in the INTRODUCTION • In reality, preparing a thesis is the most difficult aspect of writing an essay.

5. Example Thesis Statements • “The main cause of the American Revolution was the increasing development of an American character and identity separate from that of England” • “The geography of the new world ultimately led to the development of two distinct societies in the Americas”

6. Essay Body-Rule of 3 • Your thesis must be supported by three lines of evidence that illustrate the validity, truthfulness and accuracy of the thesis. • These three lines of evidence are discussed in the BODY of the essay. • DON’T discuss any information or data that does not support the argument made in the thesis statement. • If it isn’t relevant or helping you argue the position you took in the thesis, DON’T mention it.

7. Essay Body-Paragraphs 2-4 • Each of these paragraphs begin with a TOPIC sentence that presents ONE piece of data that SUPPORTS the thesis statement/argument made in the introduction. • Only discuss ONE piece of data per paragraph • Use that data to illustrate why the thesis statement is valid • DON’T discuss any other information in that paragraph. • Don’t generalize or draw conclusions that aren’t or can’t be supported.

8. Sample Essay • The question: “What factors contributed to the development of differing societies in the New World despite the fact that a majority of the early settlers where English” • Basic Thesis: The 1 geography of the new world, the people’s 2 reasons for settling, and 3 who they were resulted in the development of three distinct societies in the new world” • More Advanced: The geography of the new world, specifically the 1 Appalachian Mountains, coupled with the colonist’s 2rationale and 3demographic composition, resulted in the creation three distinct societies.

9. Sample Essay: Plug It In • P#1-Introduction: Thesis • The 1 geography of the new world, the people’s 2 reasons for settling, and 3 who they were resulted in the development of three distinct societies in the new world • P#2-Body: Topic Sentence #1 • “The geography of the new world would lead to…” • Data: soil/rivers/mountains/flood plains • P#3-Body: Topic Sentence #2 • “The reasons for why the colonists settled would impact…” • Data: religious freedom/fame/money/long-term/short-term • P#4-Body: Topic Sentence #3 • “Who these groups of settlers where ultimately led to…” • Data: families/individuals • P#5-Conclusion • “Clearly, by looking at these three factors…”