Name: ________________________________________________________________ Form

Writing Portfolio Sample #5Informational Essay A

DUE: Start of class
SECOND DRAFT Thursday 4/27
DIRECTIONS: Based on what you have learned about the North, South, and West in the mid-1800s, you will
be constructing an essay that answers this units essential questions: How did changes in America in the early
and mid-1800s represent BOTH progress and sacrifice?

To construct this essay organizer, use your evidence-based paragraphs from your North, South,
and West packetsthose count as your first draft.
PARAGRAPH #1: INTRODUCTION

1. What are you trying to answer? Re-read the Prompt:

How did changes in America in the early and mid-1800s represent BOTH progress and
sacrifice?

2) HOOK: Before you answer the prompt you will need some an introductory sentence which invites the
reader in (Think about a what if? scenario regarding progress and sacrifice, making controversial or surprising
statements, giving a quote, asking questions, or stating some shocking facts)

THESIS: Answers the question, How did changes in America in the early and mid 1800s represent
BOTH progress and sacrifice? On your final draft, write this out in two complete sentences.

Changes in America in the early and mid-1800s that represented PROGRESS were
1. [North]: ___________________________________________,
2. [South]: ___________________________________________,
3. and [West]: ___________________________________________.
Changes in America in the early and mid-1800s that represented SACRIFICE were
1. [North]: ___________________________________________,
2. [South]: ___________________________________________,
3. and [West]: ___________________________________________.

PARAGRAPH #2/BODY PARAGRAPH #1:
TOPIC SENTENCE (This comes straight from your thesis on page 1)
Changes in America in the early and mid-1800s that represented progress were

EVIDENCE & ANALYSIS #1
EXPLAIN/DESCRIBE in more detail the FIRST historical event/concept/invention you
listed in your thesis under progress (Who, what, where, when)

If its an
example of
PROGRESS,
EXPLAIN how/why this historical event/concept/invention represents PROGRESS
what did
people
gain/how did
their lives
change for the
better?
EVIDENCE & ANALYSIS #2
EXPLAIN/DESCRIBE in more detail the SECOND historical event/concept/invention
you listed in your thesis under progress (Who, what, where, when)

EXPLAIN how/why this historical event/concept/invention represents PROGRESS

EVIDENCE & ANALYSIS #3

EXPLAIN/DESCRIBE in more detail the THIRD historical event/concept/invention you
listed in your thesis under progress (Who, what, where, when)

EXPLAIN how/why this historical event/concept/invention represents PROGRESS

Write a connecting statement to bridge this paragraph and the next in 1-2 sentences:

PARAGRAPH #3/BODY PARAGRAPH #2:
TOPIC SENTENCE (This comes straight from your thesis on page 1)
Changes in America in the early and mid-1800s that represented sacrifice were

EVIDENCE & ANALYSIS #1
EXPLAIN/DESCRIBE in more detail the FIRST historical event/concept/invention you
listed in your thesis under progress (Who, what, where, when)

If its an EXPLAIN how/why this historical event/concept/invention represents SACRIFICE
example of
SACRIFICE,
what did
people have to
risk and/or

give up?

EVIDENCE & ANALYSIS #2

EXPLAIN/DESCRIBE in more detail the SECOND historical event/concept/invention
you listed in your thesis under progress (Who, what, where, when)

EXPLAIN how/why this historical event/concept/invention represents SACRIFICE

EVIDENCE & ANALYSIS #3

EXPLAIN/DESCRIBE in more detail the THIRD historical event/concept/invention you
listed in your thesis under progress (Who, what, where, when)

EXPLAIN how/why this historical event/concept/invention represents SACRIFICE

 PARAGRAPH #4: CONCLUSION
Transition to the Conclusion
(Formula: Use a transition word + restate the prompt as a statement.)

Restate your Thesis

(Restate your thesis that you wrote in the introduction paragraph in a slightly new way highlighting
the new evidence presented in the body.)

Clincher
(Write a sentence or two that will keep the reader thinking. Think about: why is it important to
know that change involves both progress and sacrifice? What changes occurring in 2017 require
both progress and sacrifice? )