Testing Tips:
Expository Essays
Determine the task asked
of you. Make sure you understand all
aspects of the question. This includes
an understanding of any categories given within the question that you should
frame your response around.
Pay attention to every word in the
question. Look carefully at any
conjunction in the question. Does the
question ask you to “compare and contrast” or does the question ask you to
“compare or contrast”.
Underline the directive verb in the
question. Make sure you understand what
is being asked of you. See the last
section of this document, entitled “Directives”, for a full explanation of terms
such as; explain, evaluate, and analyze.
All questions have one thing in common, they demand analysis of historical evidence. A
question is never satisfactorily answered by simply reporting information. If
you think that you can write an essay without making some judgment on the
issue, you have not understood the question.
Once you understand the question,
brainstorm what you know about the topic (people, documents, issues, battles,
social changes, Supreme Court cases, etc.). List everything; then categorize
according to the categories given within the question. If no categories are given, organize in some
meaningful way, such as political, social, economic.
Make a working thesis, a general answer to
the question.
Outlining is important in the pre-writing
stage. It focuses attention on organization of material. The five-paragraph
essay is the expected form of organization.
Anticipate counterarguments. Consider
arguments that are against your thesis, not to prove them, but to show you are
award of opposing viewpoints. The strongest essays confront conflicting
evidence. Include this in your essay somewhere.
Thesis: Your brief
answer to the question given. It generally explains why or how something
happened. Your thesis should take a stand on an issue or historical problem.
A thesis makes an assertion that a reasonable
person could disagree with. It is your claim statement, what you claim to be
true.
A thesis requires some judgment and
interpretation of evidence. Everything that comes after your thesis should
support the thesis.
Here is an approach to constructing a thesis:
1.
A "concessive"
clause: "although such and such"…if you do not concede something, you will appear unreasonable, or
unaware of another side of the issue.
2.
The "main"
clause: the thing you will attempt to prove in your essay.
3.
The "because"
clause: this will force you to summarize supporting arguments (the given
categories or your self-constructed categories such as political, economic,
social).
Establish relevant
background information, i.e., time and place (setting). Define your key terms or those terms that are
vague or controversial (effective, liberal, revolutionary, etc.)
In general, work from broad to specific. The most specific sentence will be the last
sentence of your introduction – the thesis statement.
Begin with two sentences that address the
topic of the question in a general way.
Do not restate the question. Follow
with an organizational statement in which you mention the two or three issues
or aspects of the topic about which you are going to write. Present these points in a logical fashion –
chronological or least-to-most important.
Finish with a clear thesis sentence that
expresses your response to the question.
Remember, to use political, economic, social if
categories are not given within the question.
Begin each paragraph of
the body with a topic sentence. Every sentence that follows within a paragraph
should relate to and support the main idea of that topic sentence.
Each topic sentence should be derived from
the organizational sentence within your introductory paragraph (the sentence
before your thesis statement). Make sure
the order of your paragraphs matches the order established in your
organizational sentence.
Within the body of your essay it is up to you
to prove your arguments. Tell how or why the thing happened.
Provide factual information to prove your
thesis. Each set of facts that supports a category (either self-determined –
Political, Economic, Social; or given categories within the question) should be
in a separate paragraph.
Evidence should be used, such as data (facts
and figures) or authority (what historians know, or think they know). Evidence is detailed information that gives
the reader reason to believe what you tell them. All generalizations and
assertions should be supported by facts.
Use structural indicators (first, in the
second place, etc.) and use transitional devices between body paragraphs.
The conclusion should focus on
the thesis. Restate the thesis in a fresh and interesting manner or explain its
significance. Do
not introduce new evidence.