Should be 5-6 sentences including your thesis statement (1-2 sentences)
Look for the key elements of the prompt
Must include at least ONE specific factual detail (noun: person, place or thing)
Start broad and move to the narrow argument your thesis statement will argue
“Before, during or continue after…” - Strongly recommend that you present the “Before” over the other two options. I’ve rarely seen an effective contextualization that is a “Continue after…” version
50 years prior is as far back before the time of the prompt you should start. Anything before that is not context
3 of 3
Prompt:
Evaluate the relative importance of the causes of the American Revolution.