General Rules

1.Essays should consist of five paragraphs

            (1 introduction, 3 body, & 1 conclusion)

2.          General length should be two to three typed pages.

 Steps in Writing an Essay

1.          Analyze the Question

A)        Without a clear understanding of the questions you cannot write an adequate answer.

B)         Understand key terms: assess, explain and define.

 2.          Develop a Thesis

A)        Thesis: your perspective on the given topic.

B)         Thesis must be in the opening paragraph.  The reader must immediately know your position on the question.

 3. Writing the Introduction

A)        Restate question: do not recopy the question word for word.

B)         State your thesis.

C)         Indicate major points to be discussed in body paragraphs

 4. Writing the Body Paragraphs

A)        Provide factual information to prove your thesis.

B)         Facts should be organized in logical sequence.

C)         Each set of facts should be in a separate paragraph.

D)         Refute arguments contrary to your thesis.

E)          Illustrate your essay with substantive examples where appropriate.

 5. Writing the Conclusion

A)        Conclusion should bring the reader back to your thesis and the question.

B)         Do not introduce new evidence

 (source: Conforti, Daniel A. Advanced Placement American Government: A Practical  Curriculum Guide for Teachers. Yorba Linda, California: DAC Educational Publications, 1989.)

A          Strong analytical focus.  Exhaustive breadth, responds to all elements asked for in the question.  Marshalls in a convincing way evidence to support a thesis.  In some cases, shows signs of original thinking and creativity.

 B.        Presents a thesis.  Marshalls evidence in an organized fashion to support the thesis.  Adequate in breadth responding to most of the important issues raised in the question.

 C+        States rudiments of a thesis or argument.  Cites facts appropriate to the development of the thesis but does not clearly link these to the thesis.   Discusses some of the major issues.  Incorrect factual illustrations and/or faulty or incomplete logic may be encountered.  Argument appears incomplete

 C-             Demonstrates comprehension of pertinent concepts and facts.  Presents descriptive narrative with little or no reference to an organizing principle.  Responds to some of the issues raised in the essay question.  May contain some factual errors.

 D+        Weak or implausible thesis.  Breadth of coverage and depth of information may be adequate but contains factual errors.  Information may not fit the thesis.

 D-         Weak thesis that is unsustained in discussion.  Offers few, it any, factual illustrations to support the thesis.  Includes irrelevant information.

 F.             Attempts to respond to the question.  However, fails to provide detail and breadth of coverage.    (Or) No attempt to answer the question in any meaningful way.

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