1. Introduction: Re-word/restate the historical context
2. Thesis statement (sentence about exactly what you're going
to prove (your task).
Example introduction paragraph w/thesis:
Around 3500 B.C. in Southwest Asia, three civilizations began to form: Egypt, China and
Mesopotamia. Each of these civilizations influenced future societies. The introduction of the first
system of writing, the world’s first set of laws, advances in architecture and an increase in trade in
Asia and Europe would make a lasting impact on future civilizations.
Body paragraph #1 (Remember each body paragraph needs an intro sentence, details from 2
documents, outside information, and a closing sentence)
The Code of Hammurabi, the world's first set of laws, greatly impacted future civilizations.
As stated in document #2, "the laws helped to govern a civilization, while protecting people even
if they had little political power." Hammurabi included consequences with his laws, much in the
same way that our society has consequences for our laws. The Sumerian system of writing (the
world's first) as seen in document #1, was called cuneiform and also influenced future
civilizations. Hammurabi's laws were written in cuneiform. In modern society people have rights
when they are arrested (Miranda rights), or are a victim of a crime (fair trial). During Hammurabi's
time, people were made aware of their rights by the Code of Hammurabi, which was written in
stone for all citizens to see. The code of Hammurabi and Sumerian cuneiform made an impact on
future civilizations.
Remember the format:
1. Introduction
a. restate the historical context
b. add thesis sentence (what you intend to prove)
2. Body paragraph #1(each includes topic sentence/document
details/outside information and a closing sentence)
3. Body paragraph #2
4. Body paragraph #3
5. Conclusion (basically restating the introduction and then
adding a “thought provoking question”.