Should I move to America? Where should I live, how should I make my living? Should America try and rid itself of British control? Should I remain loyal to Britain or should I revolt? Is this Constitution a good one? Should we approve it? Is democracy a good framework for our new government?

R – Restate the question I – Interpret what is being asked. C – Connect to the text. E – Explain your response.

1.Carefully read the Historical Background It provides valuable information. 2. Read the question Make sure you know what it is asking. 3. Read the documents Consider the question and how the document adds to the question. 4. Answer the questions and fill in the chart They are there to help you better understand the document.

Document NumberDocument…believes…because…Documents that agree Document 1According to document 1, the author believes the colonists should rebel against the British because the taxes they were putting in place were unfair. 3,5

5. Formulate a thesis One that directly answers the question 6. Outline your essay Choose evidence from the text that supports your thesis as well as your own prior knowledge 7. Write your essay Cite documents that support your thesis Don’t refer to them as documents Don’t say, “In document 4 it says…” instead say, “In Patrick Henrys speech he says…”

Question: Were the American colonists right to rebel against the British Thesis: The American colonists were right to rebel against the British because….