Compare and contrast Gordon, Diamond and Morris on the causes and consequences of the pace and pattern of economic growth.

• Identify the major arguments that support your thesis and attach the evidence that will support each of your arguments.
• Write topic sentences for each of the non-introduction, non-conclusion paragraphs of your essay:
  each topic sentence of each paragraph should directly relate or support your thesis
• Write the body paragraphs of the essay:
  Each body paragraph should develop the primary support covered in that paragraph’s topic sentence

1. Topic sentences go at the beginning of the paragraphs in the body of the essay stating the main point to be shown in that paragraph with evidence and argument

Topic sentences are baby theses.  They are declarative sentences which state part of the overall argument that forms the overall thesis of the essay.  For example, say your overall thesis is “American economic history provides a guide to the future.”  You might have three supporting paragraphs for this thesis.  The topic sentences for each of these three paragraphs might be 1) While history does not repeat itself, it rhymes.  2) Understanding how we got here tells is as much about the future as it does the past.  3) Shining a light on the future allows us to move forward intelligently and not blindly.

Each of these topic sentences is an argument supporting the main thesis American economic history provides a guide to the future.  Each topic sentence requires support using evidence and logic.  Built correctly, the body of the essay supports or proves the main thesis of the essay.

2. 

• Accurately summarize the arguments and evidence that relate to the question
• Compare and contrast opposing views on an issue
• Identify the limits of an argument or show how the argument can be extended beyond the scope of the author’s original argument