Modern Europe
Cooke
Name: _________________________________
Causes of WWII Essay
Thesis Question: Was World War II simply a continuation of unresolved issues from WWI or was
it the result of completely new tensions in Europe?
Requirements:
Ø The paper must be NO LESS than TWO (2) full pages in length, and NO MORE than FOUR (4) pages
in length.
Ø The paper must be typed, double-spaced, in 12-point font.
Ø You should use both your class notes, readings and your textbook. You SHOULD NOT do any outside
research. All sources should be cited by handout or page (in parenthesis.)
Ø Do not use “I,” “we” or “you.” Keep in third person.
Ø You need one primary source quote per body paragraph. Use the documents in the “”Causes of WWII”
packet!
* Remember, the policy on late work (including papers) is that the final grade drops 3 points for everyday it
is late.
* As always, I am available for extra-help by appointment before or after school or during the day (blocks 1,
2, and 5). You are always welcome to swing by my office to see if I’m in – if I’m not there please leave me a
note so I know you were there.
* I will NOT be collecting rough drafts for teacher comments. However, I am more than willing to meet
with you outside of class time to discuss your ideas or talk through your outline. If we do conference, make
sure to come with specific questions as to what you would like me to help you with. Do not come in and say
‘please read this and tell me what’s wrong with it.’
Pre-Writing Brainstorm
Unresolved issues from WWI
Social
Political
Economic
New Tensions
Writing Your Thesis
Basic Question (the answer leads to your thesis): Was World War II simply a continuation of
unresolved issues from WWI?
A good thesis has 3 parts:
Possible Criticisms
(Although, Despite)
Addresses the critic (the
opposing side of your
argument)
Ideas:
Possible Central
Arguments
World War II
__________ simply a
continuation of WWI
Possible Controlling
Idea (because)
A general statement-DO
NOT list the topics of
your 2 support the
argument paragraphs
here!
Ideas:
Despite/although…
Your thesis:
Your body paragraph topics:
• 1st Body Paragraph (Address the Critic): ________
• 2nd Body Paragraph (Support the Argument):_______
• 3rd Body Paragraph (Support the Argument): ________
Ideas:
Causes of WWII Essay Outline
Introduction
Contextual Statement (What happened during WWI (make sure to give the dates of the war!)
When did WWII start? Why did it start then? Who was involved?)
3-Part Thesis (copy from Thesis Sheet)
Reasons (one sentence after 3-part thesis with two reasons for body paragraphs 2 and 3).
Body Paragraph 1 (Address the Critic)
Purpose Statement (what are you arguing in this paragraph? This needs to support your criticism
from your thesis):
Example #1:
How does this show or not show that WWII was a continuation of WWI? (ANALYSIS)
Example #2:
How does this show or not show that WWII was a continuation of WWI? (ANALYSIS)
Transition Sentence: Sum up the main idea of the paragraph and introduce the next paragraph.
Body Paragraph 2 (Support the Argument)
Purpose Statement (what are you arguing in this paragraph? This needs to support the first reason
from your reasons statement):
Example #1:
How does this show or not show that WWII was a continuation of WWI? (ANALYSIS)
Example #2:
How does this show or not show that WWII was a continuation of WWI? (ANALYSIS)
Transition Sentence: Sum up the main idea of the paragraph and introduce the next paragraph.
Body Paragraph 3 (Support the Argument)
Purpose Statement (what are you arguing in this paragraph? This needs to support the second
reason from your reasons statement):
Example #1:
How does this show or not show that WWII was a continuation of WWI? (ANALYSIS)
Example #2:
How does this show or not show that WWII was a continuation of WWI? (ANALYSIS)
Transition Sentence: Sum up the main idea of the paragraph and introduce the next paragraph.
Conclusion
Restate Thesis:
Restate Main Points:
So What? (Why does the discussion matter? What are the larger implications? Take the essay to
larger significance. Leave the reader with something to ponder. A good way to do this is to finish
the sentence “Something I have realized while writing this essay is…” or “This essay matters today
because…” and then DELETE THE PROMPT!)
Modern Europe- Cooke
Name: ________________________________
Causes of WWII Essay Feedback
Excellent
Introductory Paragraph:
Do the first 1- 2 sentences of the introduction
generally introduce the reader to the topic/time
period? (Contextual statement)
Does the introduction as a whole set the stage for
the topic?
Is the 3-part thesis of the paper clearly stated?
(reasonably narrow, supportable, strongly stated)
Is there a reasons sentence after the thesis with two
topics to prove your thesis?
Is the thesis statement located in the first paragraph?
Content & Supporting Evidence:
Does each paragraph contain at least two pieces of
detailed evidence? (quotes, statistics, example, etc.)
Does each piece of evidence have an in-text citation?
Is there one primary source quote per paragraph?
Are the evidence and quotes smoothly introduced
and integrated into the paper?
Is the supporting evidence explained, restated,
and/or tied back to the topic for clarity?
(ANALYSIS)
Does each paragraph close with a transition
sentence?
Are the thesis and argument well-developed?
Conclusion:
Do you restate your thesis?
Do you restate your main points?
Do you answer “so what?”
Good
Needs Work
Writing Mechanics and Communication of Ideas:
Does each body paragraph begin with an
argumentative purpose statement?
Do the body paragraphs clearly support the purpose
statements?
Are there transitions between ideas and/or
supporting details, as well as between paragraphs?
Is it logically organized?
Is it written clearly and concisely?
The paper met the following requirements:
_______ The paper is NO LESS than 2 pages in length & NO MORE than 4 pages in length.
_______ The paper is typed, double-spaced, in 12-point font.
_______ The paper is spell checked and proofread
_______ The paper follows the correct structure (address the critic paragraph and two support the argument
paragraphs).
Additional Comments:
Content Grade (depth of evidence, specificity of examples, use of evidence): ______
Style Grade (mechanics, strength of thesis/purpose statements/concluding sentences, clarity of writing, effectiveness of analysis): ______
Overall Grade: ____________