I have to write an essay answering this question,
" How were the reform movements and the Second Great Awakening of 1820-1860 in the United States related to the growth of industry and urban life?"
and I'm haing trouble organizing my thoughts and writing my thesis. Can anyone help? I don't want anything written for me but if anyone can give me some places to find info. or maybe a suggestion on how my thesis could be set up, I'd be very appriciative.
Thanks, Phillip
I suggest you take notes on a piece of notebook paper, folded in half lengthwise. In one column, note the reform movements and events of the Second Great Awakening. In the other column, list the growth of industry and urban life. Then see what connections are obvious.
This site has links to a lot of information about the reform movements in the 19th century.
http://www.jsd.k12.ca.us/bf/bflibrary/JSD%20School%20Lib%20Sites/TRP/Reform/Reform.htm
In addition to Ms.Sue's comments, there are some more things you want to be sure of. Your introduction is probably your most important paragraph, after you have made the connections (from ms.sue), form three main ideas that you will write about. Your first sentence in your introduction should be a hook, inciting the reader to read on. Afterwards, you should introduce your three main ideas. (Don't say, my first idea is x, my second idea is y...etc, try to make it interesting). Your LAST sentence should be your thesis, and make it bold. From then onwards, every last sentence in your following pragraphs should somehow relate back to the thesis.
Here's to an A+!
When writing an essay on this topic, it is important to organize your thoughts and develop a clear thesis statement. Here are some steps to help you with the organization and thesis development:
1. Research the reform movements and the Second Great Awakening of 1820-1860 in the United States. Use both online and offline resources such as books, scholarly articles, and reliable websites. Take notes on the key events, ideas, and individuals related to these topics.
2. Create a table or chart with two columns. In one column, list the reform movements and events of the Second Great Awakening. In the other column, list the aspects of the growth of industry and urban life during the same time period. Look for connections or correlations between the two columns. Consider how the reform movements might have influenced or been influenced by the growth of industry and urban life.
3. Once you have identified the connections between the reform movements and the growth of industry and urban life, you can start formulating your thesis statement. A strong thesis statement should clearly state your main argument or focus. It should be specific and provide a roadmap for your essay.
For example, your thesis statement could be: "The reform movements and the Second Great Awakening of 1820-1860 in the United States were closely interconnected with the growth of industry and urban life, as they both responded to societal changes and sought to address social, economic, and moral issues arising from industrialization and urbanization."
4. Use the connections you have found in your table or chart to organize your essay. Each connection can be turned into a main point or argument to discuss in separate paragraphs. For example, one paragraph can explore how the reform movements were a response to the negative societal impacts of industrialization and urbanization, while another paragraph can discuss how the Second Great Awakening influenced social reform efforts.
Remember to use evidence and examples from your research to support your arguments and analysis. Each paragraph should have a topic sentence that introduces the main idea and connects back to your thesis statement. Additionally, ensure that your introduction grabs the reader's attention, provides background information, and ends with your bold thesis statement. The conclusion should summarize your main points and restate your thesis in a meaningful way.
Good luck with your essay, and feel free to ask any specific questions or for further assistance!