Essay Questions

--A good essay answer has an Introductory Paragraph, a Middle Section of several paragraphs that fill in details, and a Concluding Paragraph.

--The Introductory Paragraph
          --Should start with a sentence that shows you've read and understood the question.
          --The other sentences should say what you are going to do in the rest of the essay.

--The Middle Section
          --Should include several paragraphs, each on one point you have set out in your Introductory Paragraph

--Concluding Paragraph
          --Can be short--just a sentence or two.
          --Either sums up what you've said in the essay, or raises questions for the future.
 

Example of how an essay could be written

Sample Essay Question:   Compare and contrast the 1890's with the 1990's politically, socially, economically, diplomatically and culturally.

Sample Introductory Paragraph:
          A hundred years separates the 1890's from the 1990's.  Many things have changed in that time.  Looking at the two decades together, we see that there are many differences, but there are also a surprising number of similarities.  This essay will explore the similarities and differences between the two decades politically, socially, economically, diplomatically, and culturally.

Sample of what now should be in the Middle Section:
           A paragraph or more on politics in the two decades (e.g. Democrats, Republicans differences then and 1990's; Populists vs. Reform Party)
           A paragraph or more on society in the two decades (e.g. immigration, segregation)
           A paragraph or more on economics (e.g. types of industry, importance of farming)
           A paragraph or more on diplomacy (e.g., the Spanish-American War vs. the Gulf War)
           A paragraph or more on cultural issues (e.g., Nativism, Social Darwinism vs. Conservatism)

Sample of Concluding Paragraph:  [Sum up]
           As this essay shows, there are more differences than similarities between these two decades [or vice versa, whatever you've found].  In all five areas, politics, society, economics, diplomacy, and cultural issues, the decades are far apart.  Yet enough similarities exist to make the 1890's seem hauntingly familiar to us in the year 2001.

Or [Ask a question]--After comparing these two decades, it seems there are many questions in our own decade that we can look at through the lens of the past.  What questions will people a hundred years from now be asking of us?

  Matching

    Keep notes as you read on names, important places, and events.  Put a brief description next to each.  You might want to try flash cards to help you learn and remember them.