Gilded Age Essay Outline
 I. Introduction (1 paragraph): In this paragraph you should address the prompt and set
the stage for the reader. This means describing the big picture so the reader has a
foundation for your discussion. Also, you must state a thesis. What’s a thesis? It’s an
answer to the question- tell the reader exactly what it is you are going to prove in your
writing. In this case: ~ paraphrase the idea that fast-paced industrial growth led to
unchecked business practices and corruption in government. This created an environment
for a flood of immigration, labor abuses and a huge gap between the very, very rich and the
very, very poor.
 II. Body (3 paragraphs):
~ First, describe the changes in technology, industry and business that resulted in
the Industrial Revolution and the birth of America’s first multi-millionaires.
Include how this rapid industrialization caused dramatic shifts in demographicsmeaning how thousands of Americans now worked in factories instead of the
fields. How did this affect their quality of life?
~Second, explain why the expansion of industry resulted in an immigration boom.
Describe the consequences of this immigration, like racism, urbanization and
political corruption. Why were city bosses and party bosses able to get away with
fraud and extortion?
~Third, explain that because of few government regulations on big business,
major industrialists were able to become exceedingly wealthy. (How were
politicians and businessmen able to control policy in govt.?) By making deals with
crooked politicians, the system became protected by the US govt. With this govt.
protection, labor unions and other organizations fighting for reforms struggled to
see any real change.
 III. Conclusion (1 paragraph): In this paragraph summarize “the big picture” like you
did in your introduction. Then, finish with a clear response to the question by re-stating
your thesis. (i.e.: Thus, at the end of the 19th century most Americans came from
immigrant backgrounds, were very poor and worked very hard while a very few Americans
were ridiculously rich. This can be traced back to the fact that government struggled to
keep up with the pace of industry and had to learn how to deal with unchecked
capitalism.)
TIPS: Don’t say “I”; write in third person.
Don’t say, “In this essay . . .”
Avoid run-on sentences.
Avoid using the same word over and over again.
Write out numbers under a thousand. (2 = two)
Check spelling! (their, they’re and there; where and were; to, too and two)
PROOFREAD, PROOFREAD, PROOFREAD!!!!
Don’t be lazy- if it sounds wrong, re-write it!!