Ch 34: STAAR US History: Critical Thinking & Writing
About This Chapter
STAAR US History: Critical Thinking & Writing - Chapter Summary
With these lessons, our professional instructors will be able to help you improve your analytical and essay writing skills. This chapter has been composed to help you prepare for the STAAR US History test by improving your skills in the following:
- Differentiating between inductive and deductive reasoning
- Assessing the purpose of text and using context to interpret it
- Understanding and using historical theories to explain the past
- Using different perspectives to evaluate historical events
- Inferring intended meanings from literature
- Understanding the classification of the cause of historical changes
- Writing effective arguments and essays
- Using sources of information as evidence to backup arguments
Once you've completed a lesson, review its lesson transcript to reinforce your retention of the information presented in it. Test your knowledge of the topics by taking the lesson quizzes, and when you discover topics you don't understand, use the video tags to return to and review the parts of the lessons that explained them.

1. Inductive vs. Deductive Reasoning: Differences & Examples
This lesson explores the difference between inductive and deductive reasoning in the form of psychological experiments. In addition to defining these terms, the lesson gives examples to explain how this reasoning is applied.

2. How to Analyze the Purpose of a Text
In this lesson, we will learn how to analyze the purpose of a text. We will explore some of the primary purposes and practice determining purpose using some writing samples.

3. Interpreting Works in Context
In this lesson, we will learn how to interpret a written work in its context. We will explore the historical context, biographical context, context of language and form, and context of the reader.

4. How Historical Theories Affect Interpretations of the Past
Unlike scientists looking for a theory of everything, historians know that there are many different theories to explain the past. This lesson shows how different theories work together to help provide historians with the best view possible.

5. Evaluating Major Historical Issues & Events From Diverse Perspectives
Ever watched a football game with someone who was cheering for the other team and disagreed on the validity of a call? Then you've encountered the same problem historians find with diverse perspectives.

6. What is Inference? - How to Infer Intended Meaning
In this lesson, we will define the terms inference and intended meaning. We will then discuss what steps to take when making inferences in literature.

7. Historical Change: Causes and Effects
In this lesson, we will examine historical change. We will learn what factors contribute to historical change and see how historical change is perceived through different classifications.

8. How to Write a Great Argument
Many times our writing must not just be informative but it must also be persuasive. One of the best ways to be very persuasive is to use a great argument. Learn six steps you can follow to write a great argument.

9. How to Write a Great Essay Quickly
Many tests will require you to write a timed essay. You may feel panicked at the idea of having to produce a high-quality essay under a tight time constraint. But you can relax: this video shows you four basic steps to follow so that you can write a great essay quickly.

10. How to Use Sources to Write Essays and Evaluate Evidence
When writing an essay, you will often be asked to utilize appropriate sources for evidence, including facts and definitions. In this video, we will talk about the ways we can utilize and evaluate sources and evidence.
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Other Chapters
Other chapters within the STAAR U.S. History: Test Prep & Practice course
- STAAR US History: Independence & the Founding Fathers
- STAAR US History: Historical Eras & Significant Events (1877 to Present)
- STAAR US History: Political, Economic & Social Change (1877-1898)
- STAAR US History: United States as a World Power (1898-1920)
- STAAR US History: World War I
- STAAR US History: Early 20th Century Reform & Third-Party Movements
- STAAR US History: Individuals & Social Change During the 1920s
- STAAR US History: World War II
- STAAR US History: Cold War & the United States
- STAAR US History: The Vietnam War
- STAAR US History: The Civil Rights Movement
- STAAR US History: Civil Rights Legislation
- STAAR US History: Role of US in the World (1970-1990)
- STAAR US History: Ronald Reagan & the Rise of Conservatism
- STAAR US History: Foreign Policy & the Gulf War
- STAAR US History: Geographic Factors & Events
- STAAR US History: Migration, Immigration & American Society
- STAAR US History: Population Growth & Environmental Concerns
- STAAR US History: Arts & Culture
- STAAR US History: People Contributing to National Identity
- STAAR US History: Changing Role of the Government
- STAAR US History: Domestic & Global Accountability in Government
- STAAR US History: Government Branches & Checks & Balances
- STAAR US History: Landmark Supreme Court Cases
- STAAR US History: Core Values & the Democratic Process
- STAAR US History: Major Amendments to the US Constitution
- STAAR US History: Civic Participation & Leadership
- STAAR US History: Legislation & Economic Growth (1870-1920)
- STAAR US History: Economic Development Between WWI & WWII
- STAAR US History: Economic Effects of World War II & the Cold War
- STAAR US History: Economic Interdependence in the 21st Century
- STAAR US History: Impact of Science & Technology on Economic Development
- STAAR US History: Research & Analyzing Information
- About the STARR Tests
- STAAR U.S. History Flashcards