Week+3

toc = = = = = =
 * __Essay Writing & Test Taking__**

Monday July 18th
= =
 * [[image:http://www.cartoonstock.com/newscartoons/cartoonists/rma/lowres/rman3179l.jpg width="349" height="307"]] || [[image:http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-76B1a9aEekM/TWQ6KjO757I/AAAAAAAAACc/MDdtMym_E3g/s1600/writing%2Bcartoon.png width="300" height="382"]] ||


 * **Create a new page entitled “Essay Writing” **

ACTIVITY 1 //Opener://
 * In general, what are the key characteristics of excellent writing? What are additional keys to excellent writing in social studies? Answer by making a list in your new Essay Writing page, label your answer “Activity 1”.

//Introduction: // One major key to success in AP classes and on AP exams is writing well. Writing well means writing thoughtfully, clearly, and powerfully. It means writing in an organized and sophisticated fashion while directly and appropriately responding to the question, assignment or prompt at hand. Writing is a skill, it is an art form, it is extremely difficult to master or even excel at. Let’s take a look at how to become a better writer:

15 keys to excellent (social studies) essay writing:

*bonus 16th key ACTIVITY 2
 * 1) Be knowledgeable about your content
 * 2) Read the directions / prompt / question carefully
 * 3) Brainstorm & Outline
 * 4) Have an appropriate title
 * 5) Directly answer the question / respond to the prompt
 * 6) Use a strong, clear thesis statement
 * 7) Prove your thesis statement throughout the essay
 * 8) Make sure your arguments are presented in an organized way
 * 9) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Include evidence/examples <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">//and// <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> analysis of them
 * 10) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Include key terms, academic vocabulary, appropriate research/documents/sources
 * 11) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Provide context
 * 12) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Acknowledge other POVs / opposing arguments (and disprove them, if possible)
 * 13) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Use correct grammar and spelling
 * 14) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Make sure the paragraphs and sentences flow together, that it’s a smooth read
 * 15) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Finish with something profound
 * 16) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Proofread and revise*
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Copy and paste our list of 16 keys to excellent writing into your virtual notebook and mark it up with questions, comments, and connections (in a different color). Then, highlight the three keys you think are the most important and explain why they are the most important in a brief paragraph below the list.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">ACTIVITY 3
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Under a heading of “Activity 3,” write a paragraph reflection on your strengths and weaknesses as a social studies essay writer. Make sure that you reference some of the items on the list of keys to excellent essay writing, you might want to especially consider your use of thesis statements, your organization and grammar, your use of academic vocabulary, evidence, examples, key terms, your abilities to analyze evidence and examples, etc...What are you good at? What do you need to improve on? What don't you really understand?

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">ACTIVITY 4 <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">For the next activity, you will need to access the link below, <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">//make sure you give it time to load// <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">: <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">__[]__


 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Add the link above to your Essay Writing page under a new heading of “Activity 4”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The first page of the link shows you one open response essay prompt from the 2010 AP US History exam along with the rubric used for evaluating the essays written in response to it. Notice that the essay prompt does not ask a question, instead it assigns the test-taker to analyze.


 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Underneath your “Activity 4” heading, generate a list of things you need to know and be able to do in order to respond to this prompt.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Clearly, the test-taker must understand the content and know how to analyze that content. The test-taker must also know the academic vocabulary used in the prompt (e.g. “diplomatic”) and have strong background content knowledge about the American Revolution.


 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Think about the following:
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Do you know what analyze means?
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Can you analyze?
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Do you know what diplomatic means?
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Could you respond to this essay prompt?

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Read through the list of characteristics for the 8-9 essay (the best score you can earn is a 9).


 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Underneath your “Activity 4” heading, answer: which parts of essay writing does the 8-9 essay incorporate? In other words, when you read the requirements for an 8-9 essay for this particular prompt, what are you reminded about excellent writing in general?
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Next, read the characteristics of a 5-7 essay and answer: what are the main differences between an 8-9 essay and a 5-7 essay?

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">*Note: we will skip the next two pages of the link, which are the “Fact Sheet” pages listing potential key terms that could be used in responding to this essay prompt.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">ACTIVITY 5 <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Proceed to page 4 of the link, which provides you with the first page of a sample essay response (sample 2A) to the prompt on the Revolutionary War.
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Read through this sample essay (it is 3 pages). Keeping in mind the rubric, decide whether you would categorize it as an 8-9 essay or a 5-7 essay. Underneath a heading of “Activity 5” explain your choice in detail, making sure to reference back to the rubric and to our list of traits of excellent essay writing in social studies.
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Next, skip ahead to page 11 of the link and read the paragraphs under “Overview” and “Sample 2A” to get a feel for how the essay was actually evaluated. Return to your notebook and add your thoughts after having read the official response to the sample (2A) essay - do you agree with the official evaluation? How was it similar and/or different to your evaluation of the essay?

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">//Overview of Essay Structure// - what a social studies essay should “look” like

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">ACTIVITY 6
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">From your experience and background knowledge, describe the proper structure of a (5 paragraph) social studies essay. Under a heading of “Activity 6” use bullet points to make your outline of proper essay structure.


 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Next, read through the outline below for social studies essay structure, then copy it into your notebook.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Essay Structure <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">__Title__ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> – always have a title that you have created

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">__Intro Paragraph__ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">:
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Introduce the topic with a general topic sentence.
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Include a year or time frame.
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Provide context: explain key background and related info for the time period and topic.
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Transition into a brief, general mention of the specific topic of the essay.
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Provide a <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">__Thesis Statement__ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> that clearly responds to the essay question or topic.
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Make sure the sentences connect, that the paragraph flows.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">__Body Paragraphs__ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">:
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Break the essay into specific subtopics (which should have been mentioned in your thesis statement)
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Begin each body paragraph with a TOPIC SENTENCE that is basically a thesis statement for that paragraph’s subtopic
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Topic sentences should bridge the previous paragraph (may require only one word to make a bridge (e.g. “also”))
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Follow general topic sentences with specific details, examples, evidence (from documents/research if applicable)
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Include key terms, names, dates, events, and data (#s)
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">ANALYZE your evidence and examples - why are they important? what do they show? So what?!
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">PROVE YOUR THESIS throughout each paragraph

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">4) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">__Conclusion Paragraph__ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">:
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Summarize some of the most important information from the essay.
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Acknowledge opposing arguments (and refute, if possible).
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Restate your thesis in different words.
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Explain why your topic is important in the big picture of history (so what?) and/or give a preview of what is or may be next to come...give your audience something strong to leave with.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">ACTIVITY 7
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Mark up the essay structure outline (in a different color) with any comments, questions, and/or other thoughts you have about it, essay structure and essay writing.
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Below that, under a heading of “Activity 7,” write another brief paragraph reflection on your strengths and weaknesses as a social studies essay writer, especially taking into account the most recent information we have studied.

**Tuesday July 19th**
Thesis Statements Overview

ACTIVITY 8
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Underneath a heading of “Activity 8,” brainstorm: What is a thesis statement? Why are thesis statements so important?
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Next, return to the link from Activity 4 and find essay Sample 2A again. Answer: what is the thesis statement used in that essay? What is your evaluation of that thesis statement?

Thesis Statements a. What is my topic? b. What argument am I prepared to make? c. How can I state my argument as clearly and powerfully as possible? d. Is my statement a direct answer to the question or response to the prompt or claim about the topic?
 * 1) A thesis statement is an argument. It is a 1-2 sentence statement of the purpose of your essay: what will you be proving to the reader in the essay?
 * 2) It should be toward the end of an introductory paragraph and include enough specifics that the reader has a general idea of the key points you will make to support your biggest claim.
 * 3) Your thesis statement should likely be a compound sentence, including a preview of the major points you will make to support your big claim. So, instead of writing a simple thesis statement like "The end of World War II brought about major consequences" you should probably write something like "When World War II ended in 1945, the major consequences included the division of Germany, the start of the United Nations, and the beginning of the Cold War."
 * 4) To write your thesis, ask yourself 4 questions:

ACTIVITY 9
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Underneath a heading of “Activity 9”, copy and paste the thesis statement overview above. Then, below that:
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: circle; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: -27pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">define “compound sentence”
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: circle; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: -27pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">explain why the second thesis statement example in #3 is better than the first

ACTIVITY 10 <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: -27pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Example: <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">//Prompt// <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">: Explain the relationship between nationalism and sectionalism in 1850s America. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0pt -27pt 0pt 36pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Choice 1: In 1850s America, nationalism was being overshadowing by growing sectionalist developments as the debate over the spread of slavery reached its highest points and set the stage for the start of the Civil War. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0pt -27pt 0pt 36pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Choice 2: American nationalism grew after the victory in the Mexican-American War in 1848 and the resulting land acquisitions. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: -27pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Answer: Choice 1 - The first thesis statement is better because it directly responds to the essay prompt, is clearly written, and includes specifics of the argument that will be made in the essay. Meanwhile, the second choice seems to be off in terms of time period and does not include enough specifics.
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">For each essay question or prompt below, choose the better thesis statement from the two options that follow the question/prompt. For each choice, explain your reasoning.

__Student work__: <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">//Prompt A// <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">: Why were the American colonists successful in winning independence from the British in the late 18th century? <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: -27pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Choice 1: Aid from the French helped turn the tide of the American Revolution toward victory for the colonists. This, in addition to their previously held advantages of strong military leadership and homeland advantage, led the colonists to win the war and gain their independence. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: -27pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Choice 2: In the late 18th century, after years of protesting unfair laws and many key battles, the American colonists won independence from their mother country of Great Britain. //Prompt B:// In what ways was the abolition movement of 19th century America divided? Choice 1: The abolition movement of 19th century America was divided in terms of both tactics and goals, as there were strong, differing opinions over how to most effectively make abolition occur and the process by which complete abolition should be sought. Choice 2: Leading up to the Civil War, the abolition movement in America was divided, but ultimately remained united enough to push leaders of the country to end slavery forever. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">//Prompt C// <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">: To what extent did Andrew Jackson’s presidency benefit the United States of America? <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Choice 1: Despite his record on treatment of Native Americans, Andrew Jackson’s presidency greatly benefited the U.S. due to his administration’s work on expanding voting rights and economic policies. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Choice 2: Andrew Jackson was the eighth president of the United States and known for being the symbol of Jacksonian Democracy.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">*Before moving on, make sure you have created a heading of “Activity 10” and that you made a choice for prompt A, B, and C, with an explanation of each choice.

ACTIVITY 11
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">//Choose five// <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> of the topics/questions/prompts below to create a thesis statement in response to. Under a heading of “Activity 11” write these 5 thesis statements. Remember to review the material that we have worked on throughout this topic before beginning. You may do a bit of research on any or all of them to help with your thesis statement creation, if you feel it necessary and/or helpful.


 * 1) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: lower-alpha; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">What is the best fast food restaurant operating today?
 * 2) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: lower-alpha; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Asses this statement: no movie should ever have a sequel.
 * 3) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: lower-alpha; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Should immigrants be allowed into the United States if they cannot speak basic English?
 * 4) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: lower-alpha; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">What are the reasons that a ratings system has been implemented for video games?
 * 5) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: lower-alpha; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Why are there different age limits set on driver’s licenses (varies by state), voting (18), and alcohol use (21)?
 * 6) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: lower-alpha; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Should the United States ever attack another country that has not attacked the U.S. first?
 * 7) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: lower-alpha; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">To what extent is Malden High School a great place to go to school?
 * 8) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: lower-alpha; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Compare apples and oranges.
 * 9) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: lower-alpha; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Analyze the reasons for which some teenagers drop out of school.

ACTIVITY 12
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Under a heading of “Activity 12,” choose one of the thesis statements you wrote in the previous activity and write two paragraphs surrounding it. Include the statement you choose in an introduction paragraph and then write one body paragraph to continue the response. MAKE SURE YOU REVIEW all of the work and guides and tips before beginning.

Wednesday July 20th



 * Create a new page in your notebook entitled "Test-taking Skills"

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The majority of your AP exam will be composed of multiple choice questions. In order to do any multiple choice question well, you need several types of skills and lots of practice. These questions require careful reading of all directions, questions, and each possible response. They also require a certain depth of knowledge on the content and application. We will identify the possible types of multiple choice questions that appear on AP exams and Social Studies tests, strategies for taking these types of tests, and also strategies and tips for what to do when you don’t know the answer and have to guess.

**Activity 1: How do you study?** What does it mean to study? How do you study for a test? Write down your suggestions, then share with a partner. Add their techniques in a different color.

**Activity 2: Deconstructing Multiple Choice Questions** <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">There are two basic of every Multiple Choice Question:
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Stem - the actual question - determine what you are being asked to respond to
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Answer options

Some multiple choice questions will have a third part: a root. The question root provides background knowledge and facts before the actual question. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">

Copy the following types of multiple choice questions to your "Test-Taking Skills" page. You will write your answers in a different color. For this section, you will see several different format of multiple choice questions, all on the topic of the Great Compromise during the Constitutional Convention. Some of you may have studied this a long time ago - for this activity, you may look up some information if you don't remember.

//*NOTE: For those of you who are not in class on Wednesday, the answers to these multiple choice questions will be posted in the Discussion Tab of this page. Check there after you have tried the questions on your own*//

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">These are straight forward knowledge questions: do you know specific information about a topic? You need to know key terms, specific facts, basic concepts and principles. Some key terms to look for in the stem to signify a recall question: define, list, state, identify, label, name, who? when? where? what?
 * //<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline;">__Recall__ //**

//<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Sample: // //<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Delegates to the Constitutional Convention of 1787 adopted the Great Compromise to settle differences over // //<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">A. slavery // //<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">B. representation in Congress // //<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">C. interstate trade // //<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">D. taxation //


 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Highlight the answer you think is correct.
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">What are some steps you can do to help you answer a recall based question?
 * Next to the three wrong answer choices, explain why each one is a wrong answer.

//**<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline;">__Odd One Out__ **// <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">This type of questions asks you to establish a pattern among the answer choices and determine which one does not fit with the others.

//<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Sample: // //<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Which of the following ideas was NOT a part of the Great Compromise? // //<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">A. All of the slave population would be counted for both representation and taxation // //<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">B. A bicameral legislature // //<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">C. The number of representatives for each state in the lower house is determined by population // //<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">D. Each state has an equal number of representatives in the upper house //


 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Which one doesn't fit? Highlight it.
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">What is the pattern established here that the other three answer choices have in common?
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">What words should you look for to signify this type if question?

//**<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline;">__Accuracy/Judgement__ **// <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">When there is not an exact, factual answer, some questions will ask you to pick the most or least accurate answer to the stem question.

//<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Sample // //<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Which of the following regions of the country benefited most from the ⅗ compromise? // //<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">A. The North // //<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">B. The South // //<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">C. The West // //<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">D. The East //


 * Which region benefited the most?
 * Which other region would enjoy some benefits of the 3/5 compromise?
 * Why did you pick B over C?
 * What are some key terms to look for in this type of a question?

__//**<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Consequence **//__ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">You will be asked to identify the cause and effect of an event or idea. As a result of one thing, something else changed. Some words to look for: change, challenge, result, effect, outcome, impact, and caused.

//<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Sample // //<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">One result of the Great Compromise was // //<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">A. the creation of a bicameral legislature // //<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">B. the creation of a unicameral legislature // //<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">C. the ⅗ compromise // //<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">D. the Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution //


 * Highlight the correct answer.
 * Give the other three responses the "True/False" test: does it fit with the topic of the Great Compromise? True or false.

__//**<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline;">Comparison **//__ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">These questions will assume you have recall knowledge of several events and then ask you to compare and contrast them. They can also take the form of an analogy.

//<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Sample: // //<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The New Jersey Plan was very similar to: // //<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">a. The Declaration of Independence // //<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">b. The English Bill of Rights // //<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">c. The Articles of Confederation // //<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">d. The Canadian Constitution //


 * Highlight the correct answer.
 * How is this compromise similar to the Great Compromise?

There are many other types of multiple choices questions. The ones listed above are the most common format for social studies AP questions.

__//**<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline;">Answer Choices **//__ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Always read through every possible answer choice before you decide which one is right. Answer options that are wrong are called distractors, and they often include information that is close to the correct answer. Sometimes, you will not have any idea what the information in the question is asking you. In this case, you must guess. Do not just guess randomly - make an **educated guess**!

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Copy and past in your notebook these general tips for educated guessing: <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1. Eliminate options you know are incorrect <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2. Eliminate options that are completely unfamiliar to you <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3. Echo options: If two answers contradict each other, one of them is likely to be the correct answer. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">4. Look for “modifiers.” Options that include superlatives (always, never) are usually wrong. Superlatives indicate that the correct answer must be an indisputable fact. As you know, in social studies this is rarely the case!

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Remember to relax as you read each question and answer option carefully, and pace yourself. The best way to improve your multiple choice test taking skills is the practice, practice, practice. Learn from your mistakes. In the next activity, you will apply the techniques above to a series of multiple choice questions. When you have no clue how to answer the question, use an educated guess!

**Activity 3: Practice Multiple Choice Questions** Copy and paste the following practice questions to your virtual notebook. **Highlight** your answer. For each question, list what **question format** it is in, and **your strategy for guessing** an answer.

1. The National Road was constructed primarily for the purpose of (a) demarcating the southwestern boundary of the Louisiana Purchase (b) promoting trade and communication with the Old Northwest (c) opening the Southwest to ranchers (d) assisting the movement of settlers to the Oregon Country (e) relieving overpopulation and crowding in the Northeast

2. At the beginning of the Civil War, Southerners expressed all of the following expectations EXCEPT: (a) The materialism of the North would prevent Northerners from fighting an idealistic war. (b) Great Britain would intervene on the side of the South in order to preserve its source of cotton. (c) Northern unity in the struggle against the Southern states would eventually break. (d) The South’s superior industrial resources would give it an advantage over the North. (e) The justice of the South’s cause would prevail.

3. Before 500 C.E. Judaism and Hinduism were similar in that both (A) had written scriptures and an ethical code to live by (B) spread widely around the Mediterranean (C) promoted teachings about reincarnation (D) advocated a monastic life and a rejection of the world

4. In the period 1450–1750, which of the following, produced on large plantations by slave labor, were significant commodities in the growing world market? (A) Grains such as wheat and barley (B) Tropical fruits such as bananas and oranges (C) Animal products such as wool and beef (D) Cash crops such as sugar and tobacco

5. The Constitution and its amendments expressly prohibit all of the following except (a) slavery (b) double jeopardy (c) cruel and unusual punishment (d) unreasonable searches and seizures (e) sex discrimination in employment

6. Which of the following is NOT a core value of United States political culture? (a) Legal equality (b) Political equality (c) Economic equality (d) Freedom of religion (e) Freedom of speech

7. In psychological research, which of the following is most appropriate for identifying cause and effect? (a) Participant observation (b) Survey methodology (c) Case study (d) Experimentation (e) Correlational techniques

8. An individual who experiences major distortions of reality is most likely suffering from which of the following types of disorders? (a) Anxiety (b) Mood (c) Adjustment (d) Schizophrenic (e) Bipolar

**Memory Principles**



**Activity 4**

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">How do you remember information? What tricks do you use?

** Memory Activity 5 ** <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Copy the following statements into your virtual notebook. Put them in the order with the top one being the one that most relates to you, and list through the last one which least relates to you.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1. “I just can’t remember anything when I take tests.”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2. “I remember the information when I’m studying, but I forget it the day of the test.”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3. “I can’t even remember information while I am studying, much less during the test.”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">4. “My memory is so bad that I can’t even remember three pieces of information!”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">5. “I remember things I read in the textbook, but I can’t seem to remember what the teacher talks about in class.”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">6. “I remember every word the teacher says in class, but I have trouble remembering information from what I read.”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">7. “I’m just so bored with what we have to learn. I can’t remember things if they’re not interesting to me.”

**Activity 6** <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The above statements are common problems students have when trying to prepare for a big exam. There are many ways to handle each issue. Here are some suggestions for helping with each problem above. Save it. Then read this and mark it up using Crocodoc

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">

**Activity 7**

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">You will now look at a list of situations and decide which study technique is the best in each case.

Go to this QuizEgg and register for a free account. Then go to the link below:

Memory Principles Quiz

Record your score in your virtual notebook under the heading "Memory Principles Quiz."

**Activity 8 Writing Assignment** Now you will share your knowledge of study tips with a friend in need. Open the document below and complete the writing assignment:

**Thursday July 21st**
**BACK TO WRITING! For this work, you will return to your Essay Writing page.**


 * Below are some very specific tips on writing. These tips are mostly meant for formal social studies essay writing, not your notes (notes should be more informal). Most of these apply most of the time, not all the time, you still must make your own decisions during your writing.**
 * **Read through the tips below. Then copy them into your notebook under a heading of "Activity 13" in your Essay Writing page.**
 * 1) Learn the commonly misspelled words: their vs. there vs. they're, are vs. our, led vs. lead, etc...and then pay attention to these in your work! Confusing Words.com!might be a helpful site for you.
 * 2) Don't use don't: DO NOT use conjunctions (don't, can't, won't, etc). Use do not, can not, will not, etc.
 * 3) Use __ACADEMIC LANGUAGE__: always use key terms AND words like significant, important, aspect, factor, etc. instead of words like big, thing, etc. and use the vocabulary of your topic, including key terms.
 * 4) Learn to write mostly in __compound sentences__, they are usually required in order to write thoughtfully.
 * 5) Become adept at using words and phrases such as: because, however, though, including, along with, for example, similar to, different than, etc...which help create compound sentences and good arguments.
 * 6) Avoid absolutes. Try not to use the words such as never, always, all, none, etc. Instead, use words like most, some, few, almost all, many, etc.
 * 7) Don't use "etc." Instead use "and others" or "and many more" or something similar.
 * 8) Use the __past tense__. Start in the past tense. Stay in the past tense. (You may need to write in another tense, but the key is to not jump around among tenses).
 * 9) Call historical figures by their full name once and then by their last name. Abraham Lincoln should be discussed as Abraham Lincoln once and then called Lincoln after that.
 * 10) Call Americans Americans. Don't call Americans "us" or "we".
 * 11) The United States is a country. Americans are people. A country is "it" whereas a people is "they."
 * 12) Don't use "I" or "In my opinion" or "The two topics I am choosing are _". Just write what you would write after those items.
 * 13) Learn the difference between "between" and "among." Between is for two items, among is for more than two.
 * 14) Every time you make a general point, support it with at least one example or piece of evidence.
 * 15) Recognize (and refute, if possible) at least one argument that opposes the one(s) you are making.

Activity 13
 * Under this list in your notebook, practice using tips 1-13. Number this list as well. For the subject matter of this work, use information from the document-based work on President Obama from week 2. __Example__: 1. President Obama has __led__ The United States since being inaugurated in 2009 and he hopes to be reelected so that he can __lead__ the country beyond 2012. __There__ are many critics of President Obama, but __their__ arguments are often based on assumptions, not facts.
 * Once you have practiced tips 1-13, go back to your work from Activities 11 & 12 and edit them based on the tips we have provided.

Activity 14
 * Continue to work with the documents and essay question from week 2 about President Obama. Under a heading labeled "Activity 14," create a thesis statement to answer the essay prompt.
 * Next, try to outline the essay that you would write if you were going to write the full essay. You may bullet this, but make sure that you clearly show which paragraph is which, as well as what points, main ideas, details, and documents would be included in each paragraph.

Activity 15

You took a stab at creating your own outline for what you might write in response to the DBQ from week 2 on the viewpoints of President Obama. Now, you will use a template for creating an outline:
 * To create your outline, you will need to use either a Google Doc, Crocodoc, or Microsoft Word doc.
 * Open our Google document below, copy the outline, then paste it into and save your own version. Then use it to create an outline for the Obama DBQ essay. Make sure that you use either your own Google Doc, Microsoft Word or Crocodoc to do so and upload/embed your outline into your Essay Writing page underneath a heading of "Activity 15."
 * Be sure to take your time with this activity, really look back at the essay question, the documents, our essay writing tips and the work you have done so far this week.

ESSAY OUTLINE TEMPLATE

media type="custom" key="10031645"