Writing for Social Studies
When you face a writing assignment, do you think, “How will I ever get through this?” Research shows that writing about what you have read actually helps you remember new content. And, of curse, good writing skills are important for doing well on tests. Here are some tips to guide you through your social studies writing assignment whether they are short-answer questions on a test, essays, or research papers.
Types of Writing
There are many different types of writing. Here are six types that are most often assigned:
1. Narrative Essay- Writing in which you tell a story about a personal experience.
2. Persuasive Essay- Writing in which you support an opinion or a position.
3. Expository Essay- Writing in which you explain a process, compare and contrast, explain causes and effects, or explore solutions.
4. Research Paper- Writing in which you conduce research and write about a specific topic.
5. Writing Extended Responses on a Test- Writing essays for a test.
6. Writing Short Answers on a Test- Writing briefly to respond to short answer questions.
Narrative Essay
Writing a narrative essay is a natural form of expression because it involves putting onto paper what we normally do when we tell a good story.
Step 1: Select & Narrow Your Topic
A narrative is a story. In social studies, a narrative essay might focus on how a historical event affected you or your family.
Step 2: Gather Details
Brainstorm for a list of details you want to include in your narrative.
Step 3:
Start by writing a simple opening sentence that will catch your reader’s attention while conveying the main idea of your essay. Continue by writing a colorful story that has interesting details. Write a conclusion that summarizes the significance of the event or situation described in your essay.
Step 4: Revise and Edit
Check to make sure you have not begun sentences with the word I. Replace general words with more specific, colorful ones.
Persuasive Essay
A persuasive essay is writing in which you support an opinion or a position.
Step 1: Select and Narrow your Topic
Choose a topic that provokes an argument and has at least two sides. Your task will be to persuade most of your readers to understand your point of view.
Step 2: Gather Evidence
Create a table that states your position at the top and list the pros and cons for your position beneath it.
Step 3: Write a First Draft
Write a strong thesis statement that clearly states your position. Continue by presenting the strongest arguments in favor of your position. Take time acknowledge and refute opposing arguments, too.
Step 4: Revise and Edit
Check to make sure you have made a logical argument and that you have not oversimplified the argument. Add the following transition words to make your reasoning more obvious:
To show contrast- however, although, despite
To point out a reason- since, because, if
To signal a conclusion- therefore, consequently, so, then
Expository Essay
An expository essay is writing in which you explain a process, compare and contrast, explain causes and effects, or explore solutions to a problem.
Step 1: Select and Narrow Your Topic
Expository writing is writing that explains something in detail. It might explain the similarities and differences between two or more subjects (compare and contrast). It might explain how one event causes another (cause and effect), or it might explain a problem and describe a solution.
Step 2: Gather Evidence
Create a graphic organizer that identifies details to include in your essay. You might create a Venn diagram for a comparison-and-contrast essay, a diagram showing multiple causes and effects for a cause-and-effect essay, or a web for defining all the aspects of a problem and possible solutions.
Step 3: Write a First Draft
Write a strong topic sentence. Then, organize the body of your essay around the similarities and differences, causes and effects, or problem and solutions. Be sure to include convincing details, facts, and examples.
Step 4: Revise and Edit
Revise to include transition words between sentences and paragraphs.
>>To show similarities- all, similarly, both, in the same way, closely related, equally
>>To show differences- on the other hand, in contrast, however, instead, yet
Research Paper
A research paper is writing in which you conduct research and write about a specific topic. Research papers are very different from other types of writing. People who enjoy creative writing may find this form of writing more challenging. Others who do not enjoy creative writing may excel at writing research papers.
Step 1: Select and Narrow Your Topic
Choose something you are interested in, but make sure that the topic is not too broad. For example, instead of writing a paper on Panama, write about the construction of the Panama Canal. Ask yourself; what do I want to know about the topic?
Step 2: Acquire information
Use several sources of information about the topic from the library, the Internet, or an interview with someone knowledgeable. Before you use a source, make sure that it is reliable and up to date. Take notes using an index card for each detail or subtopic, and note the source of the information. Use quotation marks when you copy the exact words from a source. Create a source index card for each resource, listing the author, title, publisher and date of publication.
Step 3: Make an Outline
Decide on the organization of your report by creating an outline. Sort your index cards into the order of your outline.
Step 4: Write a First Draft
Write an introduction, body, and conclusion. Leave plenty of space between lines so you can go back and add details that you may have left out. Make sure that you have at least one new paragraph on each double spaced page. If you don’t, your paragraphs are probably too long and your reader may get lost or lose interest.
Writing Extended Responses on a Test
Step 1: Choose a Writing Prompt and Budget Time
In some testing situations, you may be given a choice of writing prompts, or topics. Before choosing one, consider how much you know about a topic and how much a topic interests you. To budget time, allow about:
¼ of your time to prepare to write
½ of your time to writing a draft
¼ of your time revising and editing
Step 2: Carefully Analyze the Question or Writing Prompt
Pay special attention to key words that indicate exactly what you are supposed to do:
Explain- Give a clear, complete amount of how something works or why something happened.
Compare and Contrast- Provide details about how two or more things are alike and how they are different.
Describe- Provide vivid details to paint a word picture of a person, place, or thing.
Argue and Convince- Take a position on an issue and present strong reasons to support your side of the issue.
Summarize- Provide the highlights or most important elements of a subject.
Classify- Group things into categories and define the categories using facts and examples.
Persuade- Provide convincing reasons to accept your position.
Step 3: Gather Details
Take a few minutes to divide your topic into subtopics. Jot down as many facts and details as you can for each subtopic. Create a graphic organizer to organize the details.
Step 4: Write a First Draft
Write a single sentence that sums up your main point. Use this sentence as the centerpiece of an introductory paragraph. Then, consider the best plan for organizing your essay.
-For a summary or an explanation, organize your details in chronological order, as on a time line.
-For a comparison-and-contrast essay, present similarities first and then differences.
-For a persuasive essay, organize your points by order of importance.
Use the organization you’ve selected to write your first draft.
Step 5: Revise
Read your response to make sure that
-The introduction includes a strong main idea sentence and presents subtopics.
-Each paragraph focuses on a single topic.
-You have included transition words between sentences and paragraphs, such as “first” “for example” “because” and “for this reason.”
-You have revised your word choice by replacing general words with specific ones.
Step 6: Edit and Proof
Read your response to make sure each sentence
-Contains a subject and a verb
-Begins with a capital letter
-Ends with a period, question mark or exclamation point.
Correct any spelling or punctuation errors.
Writing Short Answers on a Test
These are questions that require either filling in blanks, paragraph answers or bullet point answers.
Step 1: Use Key Words from the Question
Read the question carefully, noting key words.
Step 2: Write in Complete Sentences
When answering a short-answer question, always be clear and concise. Practice writing a structured response. Begin by introducing the key topic words you have jotted down.
Question: What was the Great Britain’s response to the Boston Tea Party?
Fragment: The Intolerable Acts
Complete sentence: Great Britain responded to the Boston Tea Party by passing a series of laws known as the Intolerable Acts.
Step 3: Follow the Pattern of the Question in Your Answer
Include specific, precise and detailed information that reflects the wording of the question. Avoid vague answers.
Question: Who was Thomas Jefferson, and why is he remembered today?
Vague response: Jefferson was a Virginian who did may important things in the early days of American history.
Precise response: Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence and was the third President of the United States.
Step 4: Write a Draft
Write an introductory sentence. Then, provide an illustration or example that supports the introductory sentence. Be sure to answer only what the question asks.
Evaluating your Writing: Rubrics
Most essays are scored on the following elements:
Purpose- distinct main idea, theme, or unified point
Organization- clear beginning, middle, and end; obvious relationship between one point and the next and between sentences and paragraphs using transitions.
Elaboration- important details and specific, thorough and correct word choices to explain the topic.
Language- strong command of punctuation, capitalization, sentence structure, and spelling.
Types of Writing
There are many different types of writing. Here are six types that are most often assigned:
1. Narrative Essay- Writing in which you tell a story about a personal experience.
2. Persuasive Essay- Writing in which you support an opinion or a position.
3. Expository Essay- Writing in which you explain a process, compare and contrast, explain causes and effects, or explore solutions.
4. Research Paper- Writing in which you conduce research and write about a specific topic.
5. Writing Extended Responses on a Test- Writing essays for a test.
6. Writing Short Answers on a Test- Writing briefly to respond to short answer questions.
Narrative Essay
Writing a narrative essay is a natural form of expression because it involves putting onto paper what we normally do when we tell a good story.
Step 1: Select & Narrow Your Topic
A narrative is a story. In social studies, a narrative essay might focus on how a historical event affected you or your family.
Step 2: Gather Details
Brainstorm for a list of details you want to include in your narrative.
Step 3:
Start by writing a simple opening sentence that will catch your reader’s attention while conveying the main idea of your essay. Continue by writing a colorful story that has interesting details. Write a conclusion that summarizes the significance of the event or situation described in your essay.
Step 4: Revise and Edit
Check to make sure you have not begun sentences with the word I. Replace general words with more specific, colorful ones.
Persuasive Essay
A persuasive essay is writing in which you support an opinion or a position.
Step 1: Select and Narrow your Topic
Choose a topic that provokes an argument and has at least two sides. Your task will be to persuade most of your readers to understand your point of view.
Step 2: Gather Evidence
Create a table that states your position at the top and list the pros and cons for your position beneath it.
Step 3: Write a First Draft
Write a strong thesis statement that clearly states your position. Continue by presenting the strongest arguments in favor of your position. Take time acknowledge and refute opposing arguments, too.
Step 4: Revise and Edit
Check to make sure you have made a logical argument and that you have not oversimplified the argument. Add the following transition words to make your reasoning more obvious:
To show contrast- however, although, despite
To point out a reason- since, because, if
To signal a conclusion- therefore, consequently, so, then
Expository Essay
An expository essay is writing in which you explain a process, compare and contrast, explain causes and effects, or explore solutions to a problem.
Step 1: Select and Narrow Your Topic
Expository writing is writing that explains something in detail. It might explain the similarities and differences between two or more subjects (compare and contrast). It might explain how one event causes another (cause and effect), or it might explain a problem and describe a solution.
Step 2: Gather Evidence
Create a graphic organizer that identifies details to include in your essay. You might create a Venn diagram for a comparison-and-contrast essay, a diagram showing multiple causes and effects for a cause-and-effect essay, or a web for defining all the aspects of a problem and possible solutions.
Step 3: Write a First Draft
Write a strong topic sentence. Then, organize the body of your essay around the similarities and differences, causes and effects, or problem and solutions. Be sure to include convincing details, facts, and examples.
Step 4: Revise and Edit
Revise to include transition words between sentences and paragraphs.
>>To show similarities- all, similarly, both, in the same way, closely related, equally
>>To show differences- on the other hand, in contrast, however, instead, yet
Research Paper
A research paper is writing in which you conduct research and write about a specific topic. Research papers are very different from other types of writing. People who enjoy creative writing may find this form of writing more challenging. Others who do not enjoy creative writing may excel at writing research papers.
Step 1: Select and Narrow Your Topic
Choose something you are interested in, but make sure that the topic is not too broad. For example, instead of writing a paper on Panama, write about the construction of the Panama Canal. Ask yourself; what do I want to know about the topic?
Step 2: Acquire information
Use several sources of information about the topic from the library, the Internet, or an interview with someone knowledgeable. Before you use a source, make sure that it is reliable and up to date. Take notes using an index card for each detail or subtopic, and note the source of the information. Use quotation marks when you copy the exact words from a source. Create a source index card for each resource, listing the author, title, publisher and date of publication.
Step 3: Make an Outline
Decide on the organization of your report by creating an outline. Sort your index cards into the order of your outline.
Step 4: Write a First Draft
Write an introduction, body, and conclusion. Leave plenty of space between lines so you can go back and add details that you may have left out. Make sure that you have at least one new paragraph on each double spaced page. If you don’t, your paragraphs are probably too long and your reader may get lost or lose interest.
Writing Extended Responses on a Test
Step 1: Choose a Writing Prompt and Budget Time
In some testing situations, you may be given a choice of writing prompts, or topics. Before choosing one, consider how much you know about a topic and how much a topic interests you. To budget time, allow about:
¼ of your time to prepare to write
½ of your time to writing a draft
¼ of your time revising and editing
Step 2: Carefully Analyze the Question or Writing Prompt
Pay special attention to key words that indicate exactly what you are supposed to do:
Explain- Give a clear, complete amount of how something works or why something happened.
Compare and Contrast- Provide details about how two or more things are alike and how they are different.
Describe- Provide vivid details to paint a word picture of a person, place, or thing.
Argue and Convince- Take a position on an issue and present strong reasons to support your side of the issue.
Summarize- Provide the highlights or most important elements of a subject.
Classify- Group things into categories and define the categories using facts and examples.
Persuade- Provide convincing reasons to accept your position.
Step 3: Gather Details
Take a few minutes to divide your topic into subtopics. Jot down as many facts and details as you can for each subtopic. Create a graphic organizer to organize the details.
Step 4: Write a First Draft
Write a single sentence that sums up your main point. Use this sentence as the centerpiece of an introductory paragraph. Then, consider the best plan for organizing your essay.
-For a summary or an explanation, organize your details in chronological order, as on a time line.
-For a comparison-and-contrast essay, present similarities first and then differences.
-For a persuasive essay, organize your points by order of importance.
Use the organization you’ve selected to write your first draft.
Step 5: Revise
Read your response to make sure that
-The introduction includes a strong main idea sentence and presents subtopics.
-Each paragraph focuses on a single topic.
-You have included transition words between sentences and paragraphs, such as “first” “for example” “because” and “for this reason.”
-You have revised your word choice by replacing general words with specific ones.
Step 6: Edit and Proof
Read your response to make sure each sentence
-Contains a subject and a verb
-Begins with a capital letter
-Ends with a period, question mark or exclamation point.
Correct any spelling or punctuation errors.
Writing Short Answers on a Test
These are questions that require either filling in blanks, paragraph answers or bullet point answers.
Step 1: Use Key Words from the Question
Read the question carefully, noting key words.
Step 2: Write in Complete Sentences
When answering a short-answer question, always be clear and concise. Practice writing a structured response. Begin by introducing the key topic words you have jotted down.
Question: What was the Great Britain’s response to the Boston Tea Party?
Fragment: The Intolerable Acts
Complete sentence: Great Britain responded to the Boston Tea Party by passing a series of laws known as the Intolerable Acts.
Step 3: Follow the Pattern of the Question in Your Answer
Include specific, precise and detailed information that reflects the wording of the question. Avoid vague answers.
Question: Who was Thomas Jefferson, and why is he remembered today?
Vague response: Jefferson was a Virginian who did may important things in the early days of American history.
Precise response: Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence and was the third President of the United States.
Step 4: Write a Draft
Write an introductory sentence. Then, provide an illustration or example that supports the introductory sentence. Be sure to answer only what the question asks.
Evaluating your Writing: Rubrics
Most essays are scored on the following elements:
Purpose- distinct main idea, theme, or unified point
Organization- clear beginning, middle, and end; obvious relationship between one point and the next and between sentences and paragraphs using transitions.
Elaboration- important details and specific, thorough and correct word choices to explain the topic.
Language- strong command of punctuation, capitalization, sentence structure, and spelling.