The thesis statement is the roadmap for the rest of the paper, telling the reader where you are going. There should be a minimum of THREE key points to a thesis. In this exercise, your thesis could simply be the phrase "comparing X, Y, and Z." Where X, Y, and Z are the key points you will be developing with your evidence (see rubric below for more on evidence). One way to compare Mesoamerica and the Eastern Woodlands would be politically (X), socially (Y), and economically (Z). So Rule of Three means a minimum of THREE key points in your thesis statement, THREE key pieces of evidence in support of your thesis.

• Assignment Prompt Compare and contrast the methods used by Spain and France in creating their North American colonies (remember that North America refers to modern Canada, United States, and Mexico). Follow the RULE OF THREE and provide specific and detailed historical evidence to explain/support your thesis. • THE "RULE OF THREE" You will need to use an analytical writing style in this class. The basic form of analytical writing utilizes the "Rule of Three." Simply, there should be at least three key points/pieces of evidence in a piece of writing introduced by a strong clear thesis. In this unit, you will work on writing a rule of three PARAGRAPH. This is similar to one paragraph of the body of a longer essay. In a paragraph length writing (like this exercise) your FIRST sentence would be the thesis statement.