LET’S WRITE!
“crescit eundo”
Parliamentary taxation
Mercantile system
French/Indian War
Sugar Act
Stamp Act and repeal
Townshend Acts
Intolerable Acts
Boston Tea Party
Sam Adams
Committees/ Correspondence
Restrictions/ Civil Liberties
Tax Laws (?)
Writs of Assistance
Quebec Act
Military occupation
Quartering of troops
Representation question
Port closures
Grievances listed in Declaration
British Military Measures
Intolerable Acts
Boston Massacre
Crispus Attucks
Lexington and Concord
Legacy/ Religious/ Political
John Locke/ Social Contract
Declaration of Independence
Glorious Revolution and rise of middle
class
Whig perspective
Passion for freedom
Great Awakening
Tom Paine – Common Sense
Argument over representation
Go to the next page for help with structure!
Evaluate the relative importance of the following as
factors in prompting Americans to rebel in 1776:
parliamentary taxation; restriction of civil liberties;
British military measures; the legacy of colonial religious
and political ideas. (1992 exam)
YOUR TASK
Construct a 500 word response to this
essay question by 3:30 on the announced due
date!
I’m helping you with possible information that
could be utilized. Also, the diagram on the
reverse should help you figure out how you
“lay out” your essay.
We will work through the intro paragraphs
together. Plan to spend some class time on
this!
Write your essay out (long hand) – that is what
you will do on the semester final and the
national exam.
Rough it out first, then recopy using black or
blue pen and front sides of paper only!
Listen for my explanation as to how these will
be graded!
HERE’S HOW YOU SET UP AN ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY:
NOTE: On this first essay,
do not worry too much
about the conclusion
paragraph!
Lead Paragraph
You need to have a clear thesis statement. In addition you must have “proof”
statements. These can be embodied in one sentence, or several sentences. The point
of the proof statements is to tell the reader where you are going. How are you going
to get from Point A to Point B?
(model lead paragraph)
The rebellion of 1776 was a complex event. While several actions by the British
government certainly helped spur the revolution, it was the legacy of colonial religious and
political ideas that played the primary role. The concept of republicanism, the growth of selfgovernment, and the powerful impulse for religious freedom paved the way for revolution.
(model body paragraph)
Republicanism, a popular idea among political leaders in colonial America, promoted
the idea that power rested with the people themselves, not monarchs or aristocrats.
Enlightenment era political thinkers looked to the ancient republic of Rome for inspiration
in this regard, as evidenced by artwork and architecture of the period. The
Glorious Revolution in England (1688-89), occurring nearly a century prior to our
Revolution, promoted the power of the people as reflected by Parliament’s authority over the
King. The writings of John Locke, especially concerning the Social Contract through
which the leaders and people had mutual responsibilities to one another, clearly influenced our
founding fathers. The point is that by the time specific conflicts between the British King and
the American colonials began to occur after the French and Indian War, there was a
legacy of republicanism already in place.
COMMENTARY: NOTE THE FOLLOWING ABOUT THIS PARAGRAPH:
1. Note that it corresponds with my “proof” statements from the lead paragraph.
2. There are connecting words (I’ve underlined those for the purposes of teaching here,
but you wouldn’t do that when you write). Those are words that will tie your essay
together, remind the reader of the question, and DRIVE HOME YOUR THESIS.
3. Note that my last sentence in the body connects back to the first part of my thesis
statement.
4. ALSO, and this is important, notice that I have PARTICULAR INFORMATION and
EXAMPLES to support what I’m saying. I have those enlarged. This more than anything
else, differentiates an argumentative essay in history from the creative writing style
that you have learned. You must provide historical information.
What would the next body paragraph be about? And, how about the third one? OK, and for those of you that are ready to try
something a little more sophisticated, attempt to use a technique called “looping” in which you connect the next paragraph to
the preceding one by using transitional phrasing. For example, my next paragraph may start like this: “In addition to the
tradition of republicanism, colonial people had been given much freedom to government themselves.” Talk about cool!