How to Write a Social Studies

Essay

Mrs.Page

Rule #1

FORGET EVERYTHING

YOU LEARNED IN JUNIOR HIGH

Rule #2

PROOFREAD

EVERYTHING

YOU WRITE!!

Rule #3

NEVER USE:

I, my, I am, you, or any form of “This essay is going to

be about…”

Rule #4

ALWAYS WRITE AS NEATLY AS

POSSIBLE AND BE AS SPECIFIC AS

POSSIBLE

Rule #5

NEVER EVER PLAGERIZE BY

USING THE “THEME”OR THE

“HISTORICAL CONTEXT”!!!!!!

Rule #6

ALWAYS CITE YOUR

DOCUMENTS IN YOUR DBQs

Rule #7

NEVER MAKE UP INFORMATION OR TRY TO “BS” TO

MAKE YOUR ESSAY LONGER

Rule #8ALWAYS USE HISTORICALLY

ACCURATE INFO AND GIVE DETAILED NAMES,DATES, AND

PLACES WHERE YOU CAN

THEMATIC ESSAYS

A Thematic Essay is similar to many other types of essays required in school. However, it also has specific requirements. First of all, it is called Thematic because it identifies a theme from Social Studies (for example- ‘Change’). It also presents some kind of general statement about that theme (for example- ‘The contributions and achievements of ancient civilizations have helped to influence and change the world.’) Then it requires you to complete a specific task in your essay response.

DBQ essaysDBQ Essays are composed of two sections. In the first part, documents are provided for you to read, analyze, and then answer questions about each one. ALWAYS USE COMPLETE SENTENCES WHEN ANSWERING SCAFFOLDING QUESTIONS! In the second part, you are provided with a specific task which must be addressed in an essay response. The essay MUST use evidence from the documents to complete the task.

Whether you are writing a Thematic or a DBQ essay in Social Studies, you will always follow the same essay format. Your essay will always include: an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

Introduction Paragraph MUST include at least THREE sentences• MOTIVATOR – Gets reader’s attention in an

interesting way that is relevant to the topic you will discuss. (This is also known as you topic sentence.)

• THESIS – Clearly states the main idea you will support/prove. In this essay, it will be your controlling idea. (What is the purpose of writing this essay?)

• BLUEPRINT – Specifies HOW you will support your thesis: you will identify the examples you are going to use in your essay

Body ParagraphsBody Paragraphs

• Each begins with a topic sentence • Links ideas together smoothly with transitional words and

phrases.• Each ends with a concluding sentence that sums up your

evidence and re-states its effect.• DBQ Essays: Use specific facts from one more than half

of the documents in part one to answer the task throughout body paragraphs as well as including specific examples of outside information.

• Thematic Essays: Fully answers ALL aspects of the task using historically accurate information that is relevant to the task and theme throughout body paragraphs

conclusion

• Re-states your thesis

• Makes a conclusion based upon the evidence presented – a FINAL comment or evaluative statement

• Should be 3-5 sentences long