Learning Targets
 Choose a position on a historical issue.
 Compose an essay which defends your position.
 Defend your position with three reasons which are
supported with accurate historical facts.
1. THE TOPIC SENTENCE
 Should NOT be one word!
 i.e. “No.” “Yes.”
 Should NOT include “because”
 Should NOT begin with “I think” or “I believe”
 Should be specific and explain your position
 Example: Current legal immigration policies
are fair.
2. Reasons
 Should include AT LEAST THREE reasons
 Should support your topic sentence
 Could start with a transition word/phrase
 EXAMPLE: First, the United States allows a certain number
of refugees in each year.
 Note: It fits with the topic sentence: Current legal
immigration policies are fair.
3. Supporting Examples and
Explanations
 Should use SPECIFIC examples from the unit for each
reason
 Can use “because” or “so” to link them to the reason
 EXAMPLE: First, the United States allows a certain number
of refugees in each year so some immigrations who need
protection from persecution have a refuge.
3. Supporting Examples and
Explanations
 Can also be a separate sentence, but make sure it
specifically explains the reason
 EXAMPLE: First, the United States allows a certain number
of refugees in each year. This protects people from
persecution and shows that the United States welcomes
immigrants who need a safe refuge.
4. Conclusion
 Should wrap up the essay and let the reader know that
the essay is done.
 Should sound different than your topic sentence
 EXAMPLE: Although our government does not allow
unlimited immigration, the fair policies it uses ensures that the
United States remains a land of immigrants.
The Topic Sentence &
the Conclusion
NOTE: See how these connect, but do not repeat
one another:
TOPIC SENTENCE:
Current legal immigration policies are fair.
CONCLUSION:Although our government does not allow
unlimited immigration, the fair policies it uses ensures
that the United States remains a land of immigrants.
Working on your own
conclusions ….
Paragraph Essay Example
Current legal immigration policies are fair. First,
the United States allows a certain number of refugees in
each year. This protects people from persecution and
shows that the United States welcomes immigrants who
need a safe refuge. Secondly, the United States allows
immediate family members of citizens and legal
residents to immigrate here. This allows families to be
together in the same country, instead of unfairly living
apart. Finally, the United States holds a Diversity Visa
Lottery. The lottery allows people from
underrepresented countries an equal chance of being
allowed into the United States. Although our
government does not allow unlimited immigration, the
fair policies it uses ensures that the United States
remains a land of immigrants.
U.S. HISTORY ESSAY EVALUATION
______/ 10
Name
______________
PART
0 Points
1 Point
2 Points
Topic
Sentence
-- one word or missing
-- does not meet
requirements.
-- states position but begins
with “I” “no,” “yes,” or
“because” OR
--is connected to a reason
(doesn’t stand alone)
Reason 1
and Example
-- both reason and
example are either too
general or are missing
AND/OR
-- major historical
error(s)
-- reason may be too
general/missing/a repeat OR
-- supporting example may be
too general/missing/a repeat
OR
-- reason or example may have
minor historical error
-- effective and clear topic
sentence; stands alone
AND
-- original and
thoughtfully
worded
-- original reason with
strong
historical evidence
AND
-- a specific example
supports the reason well
AND
-- historically accurate
-- original reason with
strong
historical evidence
AND
-- a specific example
supports the reason well
AND
-- historically accurate
-- original reason with
strong
historical evidence
AND
-- a specific example
supports the reason well
AND
-- historically accurate
-- ends clearly and
strongly AND
-- refers to the main
position
without restating the
topic
sentence
Reason 2
and Example
Reason 3
and Example
Conclusion
be
-- both reason and The
example are either too
general or are missing
AND/OR
-- major historical
error(s)
--- reason may be too
general/missing/a repeat OR
-- supporting example may be
too general/missing/a repeat
OR
-- reason or example may have
minor historical error
-- both reason and The re ---reason may be too
example are either too
general/missing/a repeat OR
general or are missing
-- supporting example may be
AND/OR
too general/missing/a repeat
-- major historical
OR
error(s)
-- reason or example may have
minor historical error
-- missing or unclear The -- states position but begins
with “I” “no,” “yes,” or
“because” OR
-- is too close to the topic
sentence