1. United States History Bluebook Preparation
Bluebook Exam on
November 29, 2017
Mt. Lebanon High School

2. Today’s Goals View and understand sample practice thesis statements
Review your practice thesis statements
Understand what you “need” for the Bluebook essay
Understand how to proceed in your preparations

3. Knowing the prompt
Prompts will include “why” or “why not” (if only implicitly)
3 options on day of exam
Here’s a non-history example:
Has the immediacy of electronic devices ruined our critical thinking abilities? Why or why not?

4. Sample Thesis Statements
Advanced: Although the availability of electronic devices has shortened our attention spans, it can more accurately be credited for an increase in task management and grappling.
Prompt: Has the immediacy of electronic devices ruined our critical thinking abilities? Why or why not?

5. Proficient: While electronic devices can be blamed for a decrease in thought, the accessibility of information the devices creates outweighs the distractions.

6. Below Basic: The immediacy of electronic devices has ruined our critical thinking abilities greatly.

7. Concession clause AKA: Concession or the “yes, but”
Speaks to “why or why not?”
Examples
Advanced: Although the availability of electronic devices has shortened our attention spans, it can more accurately be credited for an increase in task management and grappling.
Proficient: While electronic devices can be blamed for a decrease in thought, the accessibility of information the devices creates outweighs the distractions.

8. Do you have what you need?

9. Includes insight rather than being factual Concession
Let’s see . . .
Position on prompt
Includes insight rather than being factual
Concession
Prior to today, you were assigned to write a thesis for the sample prompt. Check it now to see if you have the above elements.
Prompt: Has the immediacy of electronic devices ruined our critical thinking abilities? Why or why not?
marieclaire.com
Students may think in terms of the three parts of a thesis as typically taught in English 9: Observation, how/why, but concession is new regardless

10. Sample breakdown
Although the availability of electronic devices has shortened our attention spans, it can more accurately be credited for an increase in task management and grappling.
Position
Concession
Aim for insight

11. is caring

12. Introduction
Sets the scene (either by providing info on applicable history regarding the topic or introducing the big idea of your concept); 3-4 sentences
Transitions between the above bullet and thesis
Ends with an effective thesis
Sets up your essay properly
Ask students to set context for sample prompt below. Discussion rather than the creation of such an introduction should be sufficient as a review. Some possibilities may include the idea that even 2 decades ago few people had cell phones so the gathering information was much slower and more laborious. Games had to be played on televisions, research needed to be done at a computer or a library, etc.
Prompt: To what extent has the immediacy of electronic devices ruined our critical thinking abilities?
princetontutoring.com

13. No dumping!

14. Body Paragraphs
There will be 2-3 of them that do all of the following:
Have a topic sentence
Include carefully selected details that advance the argument using the most important historical evidence
Touch on 1 major topic each with 2-3 examples as support
Consider the opposing side of your position, examining and developing the “why” part of the prompt
Make use of thoughtful, effective analysis
Maintain accuracy of all historical events and references
Have topic sentences to drive the argument within your position
nanga.myfreeip.me
Concession in one paragraph

15. Conceptual Layout for Sample Thesis
Thesis: Although the availability of electronic devices has shortened our attention spans, it can more accurately be credited for an increase in task management and grappling.
Paragraph 1: Productivity for businesses (pre 2007); concession-technology makes me lazy
Paragraph 2: Task management for groups non business (2007); concession-makes me isolated from others
Paragraph 3: Problem-solving through grappling (circa 2011); concession- technology makes me selfishly gratified

16. Conclusion Restates the thesis first
Reviews the basis of your position next, summarizing the rationale part of your thesis
Establishes a broader historical
Consider the connection to “what’s next”
If we look at WWI in isolation, the effect of breadth is less caustic than if we look at WWI’s being a partial catalyst to WWII

17. Don’t leave your money on the table!

18. McCloskey’s Strategy: 1950s as “best of times”
My answer: the best
Keyword: Stability
Historical details to consider:
Corporate affluence; Cold War
What else?
My concession: not-so- good
Keyword: Conformity
Historical details to consider:
Gender spheres, Minorities
What else?

19. ~Revise
~Create practice outlines
~Create practice thesis statements
~Consult your history teacher for content
~Consult an English teacher for additional writing tips