Writing a Historical Essay

Example Prompt: How did Thomas Jefferson change the presidency?

I. Introduction a. Hook- Something interesting! (Most Americans have heard of Thomas Jefferson, but few people know about all of the amazing things that he did for our country.) b. Thesis – The main point of your essay. (Thomas Jefferson was an idealist and he brought several changes to the presidency, such as eliminating diplomatic jobs and taxes and interacting with the public like a common man.)

II. Body 1 (Discuss first point of Thesis) a. Topic Sentence of Paragraph (When he was elected President, Thomas Jefferson immediately began to cut federal jobs and spending) b. Example to support Topic Sentence. (In order to scale back the high level of federal power, Jefferson instructed his secretary to stop serving commissions to incoming diplomatic positions. He also refused to fill several open federal positions.) c. Example to support Topic Sentence. (Jefferson also eliminated federal taxes. He believed that the states should be the only entities allowed to tax the people.)

III. Body 2 (Discuss second point of Thesis) a. Topic Sentence of Paragraph. (Jefferson was determined that the presidency would not become a kingship and he insisted that Americans treat him like a common man.) b. Example to support Topic Sentence (For his inauguration, Jefferson walked to the capitol, surrounded only by friends and no bodyguards.) c. Example to support Topic Sentence (He also insisted that citizens shake his hand rather than bowing, as they had with Washington and Adams.)

IV. Conclusion a. Sum it up! (Thomas Jefferson was much more than the main writer of the Declaration of Independence or the purchaser of the Louisiana Territory. He was the first president who insisted that all power should reside with the people and that the president should be treated like a common man. Jefferson helped to create the presidency as we know it today.)