Transcript Natural resources
Free-Response Essay: Geography of Texas (CAP)
EQ: How did geography affect the development of Texas?
Choose three (3) of the four landform regions of Texas (Coastal Plains, North Central Plains, Great Plains, or Mountains and Basins), and describe each region using the following:
Location of the region
Natural resources
Crops
Economy of the region (How do people make a living?) Major cities in the region
Physical features of the region
Sample box outline using the regions of the United States.
Regions of the United States – thesis statement and three regions chosen-- Pacific Coast, the Intermountain Region, Interior Plains.
Conclusion – restatement of thesis listing the three U.S. regions, closing sentence
Sample box outline using the regions of the United States.
Body Paragraph #1 Pacific Coast
Location – far west U.S., Pacific coast Natural resources – trees, rivers, lakes, sagebrush, cactus, tropical plants Crops – fruits, vegetables Economy – farming, lumbering, oil refining, aviation manufacturing, high tech Major cities – Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego Physical features – highest most rugged area of U.S. mountains
Sample box outline using the regions of the United States.
Body Paragraph #2-
Intermountain region
Location – east of the Pacific coast Natural resources – desert plants, grassland, trees, gold, silver, copper Crops – wheat, corn, using irrigation Economy – ranching, mining, Major cities – Salt Lake City, Phoenix, Santa Fe Physical features – Mountain peaks, high plateaus, deep canyons, and deserts
Sample box outline using the regions of the United States.
Body Paragraph #3 Interior Plains
Location – east of the Intermountain Region from the Rocky Mountains eastward to the Appalachian Mountains Natural resources – grassland, rivers, fertile soil, oil, coal Crops – wheat, corn Economy – farming, ranching Major cities – Dallas, Chicago, St. Louis, New Orleans Physical features – flat, treeless, plains, prairies
Sample essay - The Regions of the United States
The seven landform regions of the United States offer great contrasts. In some regions the land is fertile and good for farming while in others the soil is poor so other ways of living must be found. Three of these regions include the Pacific Coast, the Intermountain region, and the Interior Plains. Each region is unique with regards to location, natural resources, crops, cities, and physical features.
The Pacific Coast landform region begins in the western part of the United States and borders on the Pacific Ocean. The highest and most rugged part of North America, it includes tall mountain ranges that stretch from Alaska to Mexico. This area is blessed with many trees, fast moving rivers, fertile soil, sagebrush, cactus, and tropical plants. The temperate climate along the Pacific makes this region good for farming, especially fruits and vegetables. Lumbering is also an important industry to this region. Commercial fishing also adds to the economy of the area. Some of the most important industries include high tech and aviation manufacturing. Cities in this region include Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego.
Sample essay - The Regions of the United States
Moving eastward inland from the Pacific Coast, one goes into the Intermountain Region of the United States. It is a rugged region of mountain peaks, high plateaus, deep canyons, and deserts. The Grand Canyon, which is more than a mile deep, and the Great Salt Lake are two natural features of this region. Because the area is so dry, native plants tend to be desert-like plants and trees that have adapted to the area. People in this area farm wheat and corn using irrigation and raise livestock. Mining gold, silver, and copper are important industries to this region. Salt Lake City, Phoenix, and Santa Fe are among the major cities in the Intermountain region.
Sample essay - The Regions of the United States
Between the Rocky Mountains and the Appalachian Mountains lies the Interior Plains. This is the largest landform region in the United States. This is a huge lowland area of plains and prairies. This land was once covered with vast grasslands with very few trees. Today, farmers grow corn and wheat where the grass once grew. Ranchers raise livestock on the areas not planted by farmers. Oil and coal are important natural resources. The oil and coal mining industries provide much of the industrial growth for this area. Farming and ranching are the main economic activities in the Interior plains. Dallas, St. Louis, and Chicago represent some of the major cities in this region.
Sample essay - The Regions of the United States
The physical regions of the United States provide a wide variety of landscapes. Each one is unique and special unto itself. The Pacific Coast region, the Intermountain region, and the Interior Plains regions are examples of how geography determines the lifestyle of each of these regions.
Third Person Narrative: The Language Arts/History Connection
Expert Information: Most social studies essays are written in third person narrative. This refers to the pronouns that the writer uses. It makes an essay stronger if it is based on factual information (historical evidence) rather than just the opinion of the writer. A real-world example of this same idea can be seen in a courtroom. When a lawyer is talking to the jury, his/her statements are stronger if they are based on the facts of the case, not just the opinion of the lawyer.
(Weak) “I believe Mr. Smith is innocent and could not ever rob a bank.” (Stronger)“The facts of the case show that Mr. Smith was not in the city when the crime was committed.”
Third Person Narrative: The Language Arts/History Connection Use these pronouns for third person narrative: *he*him *she*her *they*them *it*its *their*theirs Do NOT use these: *I*my *mine *me *you*your *yours*we*us *our*ours If the essay prompt asks for the opinion of the writer, don’t use “I believe” or “I think”. Instead, just write the opinion in third person narrative. (NO)I believe that the Coastal Plains region is the most important region in Texas.
(YES)The Coastal Plains region of Texas has the largest cities, the most natural resources, and the mildest climate in the state of Texas.
1. Number your paragraphs (black) 2. First paragraph: underline your thesis statement (green) 3. First paragraph: underline your three landform regions (red) 4. Second paragraph, underline the landform region (red) 5. Second paragraph, underline the location, major cities, natural resources, crops, economy and physical features (blue) 6. Third paragraph, underline the landform region (red) 7. Third paragraph, underline the location, major cities, natural resources, crops, economy and physical features (blue) 8. Fourth paragraph, underline the landform region (red) 9. Fourth paragraph, underline the location, major cities, natural resources, crops, economy and physical features(blue) 10. Fifth paragraph, underline your thesis statement (green) 11. Fifth paragraph, underline your three landform regions(red) 12. Fifth paragraph, underline your concluding sentence(brown)