How to Write a “blue

book-style” essay in a
US History Class
A Presentation
 First Rule:
O Answer the Prompt!!!!
O Answering the prompt you want to have is not
the same thing as answering the prompt you
actually have.
 Second Rule:
O Answer the prompt!!!!
 Third Step
O Brain Dump everything you know about the
prompt.
O It helps if you break down the prompt into
different parts so you can brain dump
everything you know about it.
 Example:
O Prompt: Discuss the rise of the progressive
movement.
O Brain Dump:
 Brain Dump for previous
prompt
O Laissez-faire economics leads to problems
O Muckrakers expose the problems
O Jacob Riis, Upton Sinclair, etc
O Tried to foster efficiency
O Henry Ford, frederick taylor etc
O Create Economic Reform
O Socialism, anti-trust laws, Gov oversight etc
O Promote Social Reform
O YMCA, Hull House etc
Organize how you are going to
write a thesis (based on brain dump).
O I use “X, Y, Z” format.
O For this example prompt:
O X=causes of Progressive Movement
O Y=Fostering Economic Efficiency and reform
O Z= Social Reform.
 Write thesis
O In the late 18th century, early 19th century,
Laissez-faire policies posed a series of
problems that muckrakers exposed. This
led to the start of the Progressive movement
which worked to foster efficiency and
promote economic reform, as well as
promote social reform.
 The outline:
O X=causes of Progressive Movement
O Laissez-faire policies
O (monopolies, grafting etc)
O Muckrakers exposing problem
O Upton Sinclair’s Jungle, McClures, Jacob Riis
O Y=Fostering Economic Efficiency and reform
O Henry Ford and Frederick Taylor
O Anti-trust laws, business regulation, building
codes etc
O Z= Social Reform.
O YMCA, Hull House etc.
 The Writing
O Write your thesis, and then in a new body
paragraph write sentences explaining your
evidence for “x”
O In another body Paragraph explain your
evidence for “y”
O In another body paragraph explain your
evidence for “z”
O Write a conclusion.
 Tips/Hints
O Cross out evidence that you listed in outline
as you write.
O Name Drop with a purpose
O Always go back/tie back to your thesis.
O Make sure you indent
O Show off how much you know.
O STUDYING: focus on outlining/brain
dumping what you are going to write NOT on
writing full essay.
 IF
O IF you prepare brain dumping and organizing
info, you will be studying for the MC test as
well.
O IF you know the material, you cannot be
surprised by any prompt.
O IF you prepare the information ahead of
time, you WILL get at least partial points on
the essay.