1. Take a Position on the Question
Using Qualifiers

2. How?
Responds to prompt with a historically defensible thesis that establishes a line of reasoning.
Line of reasoning = what examples/evidence support your thesis?
Thesis IDENTIFIES this evidence; essay EXPLAINS evidence
Make an argument
Merely stating similarities or differences or changes and continuities is NOT an argument; that’s stating facts
Thus…

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4. Provide 3 Organizational Categories

5. How? Thesis should consist of 3 parts:
Answer question using language of prompt without merely restating prompt
First piece of evidence
Second piece of evidence
Example Prompt: How does Petrarch relate humanism and religion?
Petrarch reconciles Christianity and humanism; this reconciliation paved the way for Christian humanists such as Thomas More and Erasmus and, ultimately, the Protestant Reformation.

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7. Question by Using the Language of the Question
Fully Answer the
Question by Using the Language of the Question

8. How? Thesis address ALL parts of question
Go beyond repeating/restating the question

9. THESIS STATEMENT