General Tips on essay writing

Write essays in the third person, not 1st person ("I," "we").
Use the active voice (e.g. Edison created) b/c it denotes cause and effect.
Use specific words.
Clearly identify persons, factors, and judgments. Avoid vague verbs such as "felt"
and "says," and vague references, such as "they" and "others." Avoid absolutes,
such as "all" and "none." Rarely in history is the evidence so absolutely conclusive
that you can prove that there were no exceptions.
Define or explain key terms.
If the question deals with terms (such as "liberal, "conservative," "sectionalism," or
"manifest destiny"), an essential part of your analysis should include an explanation
of these terms.
Communicate awareness of the complexity of history.
Distinguishing between primary and secondary causes and effects, between the
significant and the less important. Use verbs that communicate judgment and
analysis (e.g., "reveal," "exemplify," "demonstrate," "imply, "symbolize").
Anticipate counterarguments.
Consider arguments that are against your thesis, not to prove them, but to show
that you are aware of opposing points of view. The strongest essays confront
conflicting evidence.
Remain objective.
Avoid rhetoric, especially on social issues. The AP test is not the place to argue that
a group was racists or that some were the "good guys" while others were the "bad
guys." Do not use slang terms!
Communicate the organization and logical development of your argument.
Each paragraph should develop a main point that is clearly stated in the topic
sentence. Provide a few words or a phrase of transition to connect one paragraph to
another.
Focus on the thesis in the conclusion.
Restate the thesis in a fresh and interesting manner or explain its significance. The
conclusion should not try to summarize all the data or introduce new evidence. No
conclusion is better than a meaningless effort. If you are running out of time, but
have written a well-organized essay with a clear thesis that is restated in the
supporting paragraphs, you should receive little or no penalty for not having a
conclusion.

Sample on how to organize your info