1. ESSAY PREP
READ THE QUESTION. Duh.
Gut it like a fish.
Do the Dump The Data Dump.
Categorize, organize, finalize.

2. Using your knowledge of US History assess the validity of this statement: “Britain’s actions prior to the outbreak of hostilities in the American Revolution were perfectly consistent with any imperial country controlling her colonial population. Consequently the fault for the outbreak of war lie squarely with the colonists.”

3. Britain’s actions prior to the outbreak of hostilities in the American Revolution were perfectly consistent with any imperial country controlling her colonial population. Consequently the fault for the outbreak of war lies squarely with the colonists.

4. The Counter-argument Formula: X. However A, B, C (et al) Therefore Y
The Counter-argument Formula: X. However A, B, C (et al) Therefore Y. X: Point to be argued AGAINST. However A,B,C: Evidence for counter- argument (go to the Dump!) Therefore Y: Thesis statement

5. Using your knowledge of US History assess the validity of this statement: “Britain’s actions prior to the outbreak of hostilities in the American Revolution were perfectly consistent with any imperial country controlling her colonial population. Consequently the fault for the outbreak of war lies squarely with the colonists.”

6. X: Some historians have claimed that Britain’s actions prior to the American Revolution were consistent with an imperial mother country and were not responsible for the outbreak of hostilities. However, due to (A) British insensitivity to colonial opposition to imperial taxation, (B) their rejection of the colonists’ offers of compromise, and (C) misunderstanding of the effects of Salutary Neglect, British actions actually inflamed a situation which could have otherwise been controlled. Therefore, (Y) the arrogance and insensitivity of British pre-war actions were the primary causes of the American Revolutionary War.

7. The Verification Formula X Indeed A, B, C (et al) Consequently Y X: Point with which you will agree Indeed A,B,C: Evidence to support agreement (again, the Dump) Consequently Y: Thesis statement.

8. X: Some historians have claimed that Britain’s actions prior to the American Revolution were consistent with an imperial mother country and were not responsible for the outbreak of hostilities. Indeed, (A) British adherence to the established policy of mercantilism, (B) her willingness to recall such obnoxious acts such as the Stamp Act and Townshend Duties, and (C) her decision to address colonial matters in Parliament through virtual representation all indicate that Britain was indeed willing to work with the colonists to alleviate tensions. Consequently, (Y) the fault for the outbreak of war lies with the obstinance and insolence of the colonists.

9. Using your knowledge of US History assess the validity of this statement:
1) “All things considered, the American Revolution was an inevitable occurrence.”
_________________________________
Counterargument intro.
Verification intro.
Data Dump

10. Using your knowledge of US History assess the validity of this statement:
2) “Due to its dedication to the basic rights of man as declared in the Declaration of Independence, the philosophy of the American Revolution guaranteed that the post-war United States would suffer little, if any, social, political, or economic divisions.”
_________________________________
Counterargument intro.
Verification intro.
Data Dump