Writing for Social Studies

1. Writing for Social Studies By Heather Norris McNeil High School Austin, TX

2. Writing for Social Studies Essays in Social Studies are logical & analytical They do not retell a story/history Rather, Social Studies essays analyze through critical thought and evidence They are written in active voice and third person to assist in the analysis The past is written in past tense All types of Social Studies essays share a core structure The Thesis Body/Supporting Paragraphs Conclusion

3. Writing for Social Studies: Core Structure The Thesis An introductory paragraph includes the thesis A strong thesis is extremely important in setting the tone and level of analysis in the essay Can be one or more sentences Jobs of a thesis Responds appropriately to the prompt/question Shows analysis/critical thought Makes an argument Introduces the body paragraphs/talking points

4. Writing for Social Studies: Core Structure Body/Supporting Paragraphs There should be two to three good talking points/concepts Remember, quality matters & going for the shortest route to the finish line isn�t necessarily the best option Organization of talking points/concepts Strongest goes first to best support the thesis/argument Talking points/paragraphs get weaker as you write Chronology is important as well

5. Writing for Social Studies: Core Structure Body/Supporting Paragraphs Jobs/components Topic sentence introduces the major topic/talking point of the paragraph with analysis & relating to thesis Evidence Logically organized facts that support the thesis/argument of the paragraph Being specific is a good thing� this helps you show your knowledge of the subject matter Includes critical thought/analysis of the evidence Clincher sentence Closes the paragraph while linking to the thesis & transitioning to the next paragraph

6. Writing for Social Studies: Core Structure Conclusion Is a paragraph that reinforces the significance of the evidence Does NOT restate the thesis Reinforces the thesis Synthesizes the clincher sentences Answers the �So what?� question Stays on topic Does NOT show PERSONAL OPINION

7. Writing for Social Studies: Steps in Writing Read the prompt/question carefully This is important� if you know what the prompt is asking you to do, you are more likely to stay on topic Brainstorm Write down & think through facts you�d like to include Organize information Put your brainstorming information into talking points/concepts

8. Writing for Social Studies: Steps in Writing Outline the information Make sure that your strongest argument/talking point comes first The weakest argument/talking point goes next to the conclusion Develop the thesis Again, it answers the prompt, makes an argument, shows analysis, & introduces the talking points/concepts of the body paragraphs Write the essay Develop the argument by analyzing specific evidence

9. Writing for Social Studies: Essay Tasks Explain Make clear/tell the meaning of Ex.) Explain the extent to which the 1950s deserves its reputation as an age of political, social, and cultural conformity. Describe Give an account of/tell about This is not commonly used in Social Studies Discuss Consider or examine by argument or from various points of view; debate; present different sides for consideration Ex.)Discuss the political, economic, and social reforms introduced in the South between 1864 and 1877.

10. Writing for Social Studies: Essay Tasks Compare/Contrast Examine the similarities AND differences Contrast: more specifically addresses differences Ex.) Compare the expansionist foreign policies of Presidents Thomas Jefferson and James K. Polk Analyze Determine the nature of relationship of the component parts; explain & break down Ex.) Analyze the reasons for the emergence of the Populist movement in the late nineteenth century.

11. Writing for Social Studies: Essay Tasks Assess Judge the value or character of something; appraise; evaluate Ex.) Although the 1960s are usually considered the decade of greatest achievement for black civil rights, the 1940s and 1950s were periods of equally important gains. Assess the validity of this statement. Evaluate Give the positive & negative points; appraise; discuss the advantages & disadvantages Ex.) Evaluate the relative importance of domestic and foreign affairs in shaping America politics in the 1790s.

12. Writing for Social Studies: Other Important Things Sentence Fluency Spelling & Capitalization Grammar Avoid writing rhetorical questions Write in third person This means NO first or second person pronouns that detract from the argument Using third person improves the ability to sound authoritative on a subject This means no I, you, we, me, your, our, or us Write in active voice This means NO helping verbs that are in passive voice

13. Spelling- Know words associated with the unit of study. Be able to distinguish their, they�re, and there Be able to distinguish your and you�re, its and it�s. Do not use spelling shortcuts learned in text messaging Grammar � Use parallel construction Make sure verb tenses agree Do not abbreviate or use contractions. Do not use this as a noun. When it is an adjective, it needs a noun to modify it. Person and one are singular. So are everybody, everyone, no one, and nobody. These words must be followed by singular pronouns like he or she. Avoid Writing Rhetorical Questions Ex. ) �What else could I do? � �You know what I mean.� Note: these sentences are not in the third person Additional slides added by Rachel BrooksAdditional slides added by Rachel Brooks

14. Write in the active voice (short, direct, to the point) Examples Passive � Brett was able to burp. Active � Brett burped. Passive � Ralph was a person who snored Active � Ralph snored. Passive � The paper was written by Bubba Active � Bubba wrote the paper

15. Phrases to Avoid Using 1. An author goes on to say� 2. The question I choose to answer is� 3. This paper is about� 4. _______ and ______ are very different but they also have similarities 5. Still seen today 6. Throughout history 7. etc. (ask your teacher for his/her least favorite phrase)