Essay Format for Social Studies Assignments and Tests

To prepare 8th graders for the challenges of the high school essay tests and writing, below are 6 +1 Writing Traits, format requirements, and some helpful hints to answer essay questions in social studies class this year.

6 +1 Traits & Additional Focus Areas

  1. Conventions: Paragraphing, spelling, grammar, and punctuation will be taken into consideration.
  2. Ideas: Complete, complex sentences using informative details will be needed to fully develop your answer using historical evidence.
  3. Organization: Organization is key. Make sure your answer is organized, concepts flow, and make sense together.
  4. Introduction & Thesis Statement: The thesis sentence is your controlling idea. It gives a conciseexplanation of the main idea of the essay.

Format

  1. Introduction

-find a way to hook your reader OR

-give a basic overview of your topic

  1. Thesis statement

-tells the focus/main idea of the essay

- is short, but has enough specific details that the reader knows what the essay will be about.

  1. Answer the question.

-There is no specific amount of sentences, but make sure you answer ALL parts of the question.

-Use facts/information from textbook, notes, and lectures to support your answer. THIS IS KEY!!

  1. Conclusion

-End the essay with a short conclusion sentence that wraps up the main points.

  1. You should use no pronouns in the essay, unless instructed to give your opinion.

You will be graded on not only how you answer the question (if it is correct), but also if you follow the format.

Helpful Hints

-Introduction Paragraph Hints:

1. The first sentence should be a statement that grabs the

readers attention or lets them know what the essay will be about.

2. Your thesis sentence is almost always the final sentence in the

introductory paragraph.

4. The thesis sentence tells in a short way the whole point of your essay.

-Answering the Question Hints:

1. Make sure you answer all parts of the question.

(For example if it asks you compare and contrast, make sure you do both.)

2. Unless the question asks for your opinion, DO NOT use any pronouns.

3. Adding details is how you get your points.

Here are some ways to add more details:

8 Ways to Add More

-add a number (weight, quantity, size, year, value)

-add a description (describe it using sensory details)

-add a comparison (similes, metaphors, analogies)

-add a “how” (answer a ”how” question…how many? How come? How do you know? How often? How did it start?)

-add a clarification (clarify, restate or define your point…say it again in another way)

-add proof (give concrete examples for your reasons/opinions)

-add support (answer the question: Who else says so?)

-add a real life example (add a short story that relates to your point)

-Conclusion Paragraph

1. Don’t use the exact same sentences you used for your introduction. (Use the ideas, but not the exact same words.)

2. Review your main points.