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Essay Test Modeling Exercise

The document provides guidance on answering history essay questions that ask "how" something was achieved or occurred. It explains that a "how" question requires an account or explanation, but adding a word like "successfully" turns it into a question that requires making a judgment and providing reasons to support that judgment. An example essay question is then given that asks how successfully the US extended its military and economic influence after the Spanish-American War. Structural guidelines for writing the essay are then outlined.

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Jeffrey S. Hyer
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108 views

Essay Test Modeling Exercise

The document provides guidance on answering history essay questions that ask "how" something was achieved or occurred. It explains that a "how" question requires an account or explanation, but adding a word like "successfully" turns it into a question that requires making a judgment and providing reasons to support that judgment. An example essay question is then given that asks how successfully the US extended its military and economic influence after the Spanish-American War. Structural guidelines for writing the essay are then outlined.

Uploaded by

Jeffrey S. Hyer
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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From the I.B.

Guidebook for History Teachers


HOW?
On its own this is a straightforward invitation to present an account of a given situation or development.
Often a second part will be added to such an essay question to encourage analysis.
Adding a second word such as "successfully", "effective", "accurate", or "far" turns a "how" question
into one that requires a judgment. The candidate is now expected to provide his/her detailed reasons for that
judgment.

Essay Question

How successful was the United States in extending its worldwide military and economic influence
immediately following the Spanish-American War?

Structure
1. Tell me what you are going to tell me. (Introduction – Last sentence is Thesis Statement, which is re-
worded from essay prompt.)
2. Tell me what you want to tell me.
a. Evidence #1 that supports your thesis (Paragraph 1)
i. Supporting Detail (Sentences explaining why evidence support thesis.)
ii. Supporting Detail
iii. Supporting Detail
b. Evidence #2 that supports your thesis (Paragraph 2)
i. Supporting Detail (Sentences explaining why evidence support thesis.)
ii. Supporting Detail
iii. Supporting Detail
c. Evidence #3 that supports your thesis (Paragraph 3)
i. Supporting Detail (Sentences explaining why evidence support thesis.)
ii. Supporting Detail
iii. Supporting Detail
d. Evidence #4 that supports your thesis (Paragraph 4)
i. Supporting Detail (Sentences explaining why evidence support thesis.)
ii. Supporting Detail
iii. Supporting Detail
3. Tell me what you’ve just told me. (Conclusion)

Acquiring New Lands


Chapter 18-3 Outline

I. Ruling Puerto Rico

II. Cuba and the United States

III. Philippine-American War

IV. Foreign Influence in China

V. Impact of U.S. Territorial Gains

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