Introduction/Thesis Statement Examples
Essay Prompt
Although New England and the Chesapeake region were both settled largely by people of
English origin, by 1700 the regions had evolved into two distinct societies. Why did this
difference in development occur?
Underline your thesis statement in all DBQ and FRQ responses in class and during the AP Exam.
Example 1 (Good)
In the early 1600s, disaffected English emigrants began settling on the eastern seaboard of North
America. Although the initial settlements in New England and the Chesapeake region were
largely settled by people of English origin; regional social, political, and economic differences,
created two distinct societies by 1700.
Example 2 (Better)
In the early 17th century, several factors in England caused the initial colonization of the eastern
seaboard of North America. The first English settlers in the New England region, the Puritans,
immigrated to escape Anglican persecution. In contrast, the initial English immigrants to the
Chesapeake region migrated primarily to amass wealth and escape the primogenitor system in
England. Although New England and the Chesapeake region were both settled by people of
English origin, by the early 18th century, two distinct societies emerged, based on divergent
social, political, and economic systems.
Topic Sentence Example (Social)
Social differences were evident in the New England and Chesapeake regions.
Transition (Social to Political)
The unique social differences in the New England and Chesapeake colonies coincided with
regional political differences.
Topic Sentence Example (Political)
Unique political systems were apparent in the New England and Chesapeake colonies.
Transition (Political to Economic)
Divergent political systems also influenced the economic systems in the New England and
Chesapeake regions.
Topic Sentence (Economic)
Economic differences were the result of geographic and ideological variation.
Transition (Counter-argument)
Even thought the colonies had distinguishable differences, one may argue that the colonies were
more similar than dissimilar.
Topic Sentence Counter-argument)
Although external similarities did exist amongst the New England and Chesapeake colonists,
salient differences greatly surpassed the regional commonalities.