Writing a paragraph Taking SEEI and using that same strategy to write a coherent paragraph.

SEEI Method S – State or Define (word, topic, claim or concept) E – Elaborate or Clarify (expound on the concept, provide clearer background info) E – Exemplify (give a concrete example from the text or real life) I – Illustrate (provide an analogy or metaphor to clarify your position and connect to the claim)

SEEI in paragraph form S – Make your specific claim (one per paragraph) E – Elaborate (provide background on this one claim) E – Exemplify (provide a concrete example to support this one claim) I – Illustrate (breakdown the example and connect it back to the claim of the paragraph) T – Transition (lead from one claim to the next)

Organizing Your ideas An important step when answering a DBQ question or writing an essay is to organize your evidence into analytical categories or “buckets.” The “buckets” can help you link up common pieces of evidence and help you identify when they may be used appropriately.

P-E-R-S-I-A A commonly used bucketing tool is the acronym PERSIA. P – Politics (references to government, political leaders, war, law/rules) E – Economics (money/wealth, resources, trade) R – Religion (Beliefs, Religious institutions, Religious practices, god(s), etc.)

S – Social Issues (Crime, interaction between races, issues of sexuality, gender relations, age relations, topics relating to culture) I – Ideas/Ideology (Philosophy, Technological advances, Theories, Issues related to math and science) A – Arts/Architecture (Buildings, sculpture, paintings, visual representations) * Assign a category to each of the documents/topics and then attempt to link them.

Outlining … setting up your paper Once you have successfully bucketed your documents … the next step is organizing an outline. Remember the focus question: “How should we view the role of Andrew Jackson in American History?”

Setting up your outline First: Determine your position on the central question “How should we view the role of Andrew Jackson in American History?” (Thesis) Second: Determine how you will make your argument. (Roadmap) “I intend to prove ___(Thesis)_____ by demonstrating _____(Claim 1)______, ___(Claim 2)___ and __(Claim 3)__.”

Use your Roadmap to set up your paper Introduction (Thesis & Roadmap) Body Paragraph #1 (Focus on Claim 1) {Include relevant evidence from documents} Body Paragraph #2 (Focus on Claim 2) {Include relevant evidence from documents} Body Paragraph #3 (Focus on Claim 3) {Include relevant evidence from documents} Conclusion (Restatement of thesis and roadmap)

Building the outline Citations: Phrases taken directly from the source (document). These come from the handouts (quote sheet, election of 1828 and movie). Must use quotation marks and identify where the information came from. Example: “To the victors belong the spoils” (Andrew Jackson). * Remember to then explain the meaning of the quote and how it relates to your claim.

Making the transition Transitions sentences: Come at the beginning and end of each paragraph. These are extremely important for bridging one idea to the next. Remember: Your argument needs to make logical sense … it is YOUR job … NOT THE READER’s job… to make these connections. Example: Andrew Jackson attempted to improve upon and expand the role of the common white man while limiting the rights of others.