THE
INTRODUCTION
X
However/Indeed A, B, C et al . . .
Therefore/Consequently, Y.
X: Point of contention
However, A, B, C et al . . . Do you agree or
disagree? Make your stand here WITH
evidence.
Therefore, Y: Your thesis statement; must
include parameter being addressed.
Assess the validity of this statement:
Britain’s actions prior to the outbreak of
hostilities in the American Revolution
were perfectly consistent with any
imperial country controlling her colonial
population. Consequently the fault for the
outbreak of war lie squarely with the
colonists.
X: Some historians have claimed that
Britain’s actions prior to the American
Revolution were consistent with an imperial
mother country and were not responsible for
the outbreak of hostilities. However, due to
(A) British insensitivity to colonial opposition
to imperial taxation, (B) their refusal to
compromise on major points of contention,
and (C) misunderstanding of the effects of
Salutary Neglect, British actions actually
inflamed a situation which could have
otherwise been controlled. Therefore, (Y) the
arrogance and insensitivity of British pre-war
actions were the primary cause of the
American Revolutionary War.
“The 19th century Second Great Awakening offers
an example of the role of religion as a factor in
American Exceptionalism in that it represented a
continuation of the religious dynamic of the 17th
century First Great Awakening in size, scope,
demographic, and effect.”
• Assess the validity of this statement.
• Which of the four parameters best fits this
prompt? You must include this in your thesis.
• Your A, B, C, et al . . . entries must include
specific evidence of your contention
“The primary issue which ignited the Civil War was
Southern opposition to Abraham Lincoln’s policy of
emancipating all African slaves and conferring upon
them all constitutional and civil guarantees of full
equality.”
• Assess the validity of this statement.
• Which of the four parameters best fits this
prompt? You must include this in your thesis.
• Your A, B, C, et al . . . entries must include
specific evidence of your contention
“Contrary to his stated philosophy that standing
military forces were a threat to democracy, President
Thomas Jefferson responded to foreign policy issues
by both subsidizing and utilizing military force as a
diplomatic default.”
Using your knowledge of the Jeffersonian Era (18001808) assess the validity of this statement.
• Assess the validity of this statement.
• Which of the four parameters best fits this prompt?
You must include this in your thesis.
• Your A, B, C, et al . . . entries must include specific
evidence of your contention