Anson's RA Essay Historical Context Layout
Introduction
What to think about during writing
Body Paragraphs
Conclusion
Make sure not to summarize, but analyze.
Start with a hook
Similar to the introduction
Introduce the historical event
Transition into some background information on the author.
Thesis
Arguable point - should answer a question
Connection to certain historical events
Touch on the intended audience
How this all relates toward a message
Using evidence from the original text to prove how the rhetor is proving a message using the historical event
End the essay with some type of question, call to action, or reverse funnel.
Reiterate the thesis.
Weave in information on the historical event from another source.
Pick out quotes from secondary sources. Analyze them and connect how they work towards the rhetor's message.
Write something the reader can take away, do not restate the thesis.
Topic sentence that makes a debatable claim from the thesis
Every evidence needs to have an explanation of why it is there.
How does the text speak or reflect on the historical time period or the event.
Remember the intended audience of the author.
Focus on intended audience and the effect this text may have on them
Make sure the historical events are of the time of the author writing.
Do not use dropped quotes
Use past tense