Making a Strong Argument and Writing a Good Essay

1. Was the Neolithic Revolution a step forward for humankind? Why or why not? Making a Strong Argument and Writing a Good Essay

2. What Do You Need to Prove? • Was the Neolithic Revolution a step forward for humankind? Why or why not? • Define “Neolithic Revolution.” • Define “a step forward/ backward.” • Show how NR is a step forward or backward; show how NR is GOOD or BAD. • CAUSE  EFFECT • Explain why your answer is correct with evidence.

3. BEFORE YOU START WRITING: Categorizing Thesis & Avoiding Redundancy • Brainstorm (and write down!) all possible answers. • More cavities • More diseases • More starchy crops • Dependence on one crop • More pooh around & dead bodies • Women not gathering—less important • Wealth is not even anymore • Division into classes

4. BEFORE YOU START WRITING: Categorizing Thesis & Avoiding Redundancy • Cull possible answers into categories: A. DIET i. More Cavities ii. More starchy crops iii. Dependence on one crop B. DISEASE i. More diseases ii. More pooh around and dead bodies C. INEQUALITY i. Women not gathering—less important ii. Wealth is not even anymore iii. Division into classes

5. Structure • Introduction (say what you’re going to say) I. Introductory information II. Thesis is the last sentence • Body (say it) I. Paragraph 1 is point 1 of thesis II. Paragraph 2 is point 2 of thesis III. Paragraph 3 is point 3 of thesis • Conclusion (say what you just said) I. Conclude what you said in previous paragraphs II. Attempt to make a larger observation about the topic

6. Thesis: state your opinion & supporting arguments in one sentence • “The Neolithic Revolution was a step forward for humankind, because it led to more complex societies, advancements in technology, and healthier lifestyles.” • “The Neolithic Revolution was a step backward for humankind, because it led to more health problems, the division of people into social classes, and the creation of gender inequality.”

7. Writing the Thesis: Series Agreement • The Neolithic Revolution was a step backward for humankind because the human diet became less healthy, starvation increased, and diseases. • The parts: • the human diet became less healthy • starvation increased • Diseases • The Neolithic Revolution was a step backward for humankind because the human diet became less healthy, starvation increased, and diseases became more frequent.

8. Avoid First Person! (It’s Assumed Already that These Are Your Theories) • I believe the Neolithic Revolution was a step backward for humankind because the human diet became less healthy, starvation increased, and diseases became more frequent. • The Neolithic Revolution was a step backward for humankind because the human diet became less healthy, starvation increased, and diseases became more frequent.

9. Topic Sentences: WHAT is the reason and WHY is it a good or bad thing? • THESIS: The Neolithic Revolution was a step backward for humankind because the human diet became less healthy, starvation increased, and diseases became more frequent. • Topic Sentence #1: With the Neolithic Revolution, humans began eating more starches, which led to a less healthy diet. • Topic Sentence #2: Starvation became a new problem for humans in the agricultural period because of the dependence on single crops that could fail. • Topic Sentence #3: Overcrowded conditions, human proximity to domesticated animals, and the increase in rats looking for surplus food all led to epidemic diseases that wiped out thousands and sometimes millions at a time.

10. What Do These Mean? • In the topic sentences, you should make sure to always be pointing back to your thesis. (Was the Neolithic Revolution a step forward for humankind? Why or why not?) • “Mankind progressed immensely in that…” • “Humans made a huge leap forward by…” • “The Neolithic Revolution was an advancement, because…”

11. Using Evidence to Prove Your Pointsand Citing Your Sources • The Neolithic Revolution was a step backward for humankind because the human diet became less healthy, starvation increased, and diseases became more frequent. • Topic Sentence #1: With the Neolithic Revolution, humans began eating more starches, which led to more cavities and a weakened bone structure. • Evidence: Eating starches like grain, corn, etc. • Evidence: Number of average cavities before NR compared to number afterward (Chimp p.2) • Evidence: Comparison of bone structures (Chimp p.4) • Evidence: Bushmen have diverse diet grow taller and live longer (Chimp p.3)

12. Using Evidence • Arguments are strongest when there is convincing evidence. • Make sure that all evidence and arguments in the paragraph point to your topic sentence. • All evidence that comes from other sources should be properly cited. For example: Lack of natural barriers led to widespread trading and interaction. (GGS p.4) Please use this format for this essay: (GGS p.__)/(Chimp p.___)/(Crash)

13. REDUNDANCY IS BAD

14. You Can’t Ignore Inconvenient Evidence! • You must deal with the facts!

15. “So What?” Conclusion • Now that I have proven my thesis… • The Neolithic Revolution was a step backward for humankind because the human diet became less healthy, starvation increased, and diseases became more frequent. …what is the greater lesson to be learned here? THINK: What is the purpose of studying history?

16. It’s All Connected • You need to have a strong, clear and debatable thesis that explains WHY you are right. • Without a good thesis, you can’t make good topic sentences. • Without good topic sentences, you can’t make your points clearly. • If you don’t make your points clearly, you can’t make your argument. • If you have no argument, you can’t explain why your argument is important today or how others can use the knowledge to make their lives better. What’s left?

17. Stylistic Considerations • Section Headings(These become even more useful as you begin to write longer essays.) • Page numbers in bottom right corner • Parenthetical Citations • Indent every paragraph • Skip lines (if hand-written) / Double space (typed) • Try to avoid “I” or “we.” • PROOFREAD for grammar, spelling, etc. • Look over the rubric while preparing for the essay!! And also after you finish writing!