“How to Guide for Thematic Essays” Global History 9 Mr. Meetze

What is a Thematic Essay? A Thematic Essay is designed to function as a Traditional Essay where the student is provided a specific Theme found throughout history and then is given choices to prove that they can identify and explain key people, events, or topics from the course which will be written on a ‘Final’ Essay Paper on the Final Exam

Thematic Essay Topics Belief Systems Change Citizenship Conflict Culture and Intellectual Life Decision Making Diversity Economic Systems

Thematic Essay Topics Environment and Society Factors of Production Human and Physical Geography Human Rights Imperialism Interdependence Justice Movement of People and Goods

Thematic Essay Topics Nationalism Nation State Needs and Wants Political Systems Power Scarcity Science and Technology Urbanization

Rules for ALL Thematics How Many Paragraphs should Thematic Essays be? How many Documents do you need to cite in your Thematic essay? Can You use the Theme in your Introduction Paragraph?

Terms You Need to Understand Student Thoroughly addresses all Tasks Essay is More Analytical than Descriptive Richly Supports the Theme with Facts & Details Beyond a Restatement of the Theme

NYS Sample 10th Grade Thematic Remember to Read & Highlight ALL S.S. Keys 1st Thing- Your Thematic Essay Topic 2nd Thing- Your ‘To Do List’ for your 2 Body Paragraphs 3rd Thing- Potential Choices and if the Essay has any Excludors

Thematic Essay Scoring 5,4,3,2,1 Rubric Score of 5: Thoroughly develops all aspects of the task evenly and in depth Is more analytical than descriptive (analyzes, evaluates, and/or creates* information) Richly supports the theme with many relevant facts, examples, and details Demonstrates a logical and clear plan of organization; includes an introduction and a conclusion that are beyond a restatement of the theme Score of 4: Develops all aspects of the task but may do so somewhat unevenly Is both descriptive and analytical (applies, analyzes, evaluates, and/or creates information) Supports the theme with relevant facts, examples, and details Score of 3: Develops all aspects of the task with little depth or develops most aspects of the task in some depth Is more descriptive than analytical (applies, may analyze, and/or evaluate information) Includes some relevant facts, examples, and details; may include some minor inaccuracies Demonstrates a satisfactory plan of organization; includes an introduction and a conclusion that may be a restatement of the theme = 100 = 80 = 60

Thematic Essay Scoring 5,4,3,2,1 Rubric Score of 2: Minimally develops all aspects of the task or develops some aspects of the task in some depth Is primarily descriptive; may include faulty, weak, or isolated application or analysis Includes few relevant facts, examples, and details; may include some inaccuracies Demonstrates a general plan of organization; may lack focus; may contain digressions; may not clearly identify which aspect of the task is being addressed; may lack an introduction and/or a conclusion Score of 1: Minimally develops some aspects of the task Is descriptive; may lack understanding, application, or analysis Includes few relevant facts, examples, or details; may include inaccuracies May demonstrate a weakness in organization; may lack focus; may contain digressions; may not clearly identify which aspect of the task is being addressed; may lack an introduction and/or a conclusion Score of 0: Fails to develop the task or may only refer to the theme in a general way; OR includes no relevant facts, examples, or details; OR includes only the theme, task, or suggestions as copied from the test booklet; OR is illegible; OR is a blank pape = 40 = 20

The ‘2 Liter’ Thematic Design?

Thematic Outline First Take out a Sheet of paper Quickly Draw a big Square, an Upside Triangle, & a Triangle Within the Square divide the object into 4 sections using 2 lines.

1st Title of Thematic Essay Define the Theme Discuss the Importance of the Theme to the World Use Your Sample Outline Intro- Min 4 Sentences To Do List a. b. c. Outside Info ‘Bottle Cap’ Write the Thematic Question 2 Body Paragraph Topics Brainstorm at least 6 specific facts per Paragraph 7-10 Sentences Minimum Open the ‘Bottle Cap’ Write the Thematic Question Conclusion Min 4 Sentences Either Link Thematic to another topic or Relate the Theme to life today

Conclusion Min 4 Sentences Title of Thematic: Culture & Intelectual Life Reminder: 10-15 minutes total on the Outline Intro- Min 4 Sentences To Do List Outside Info A. Medicine- Specifically? B. ??? C. Today Islamic Empire Brainstorm at least 6 specific facts per Paragraph 7-10 Sentences Minimum A B. C. Your Choice Conclusion Min 4 Sentences

Writing the Thematic Reminders Make sure the Intro and Conclusion does not consist of ‘This is What I’m Going to Do’ and ‘This is What I just Wrote’ Use your Outline for your essay. By doing so you address the clear plan and organization task of the question

Writing the Thematic Reminders After you write a sentence make sure you can not ask yourself a Who, What, Where, When, Why, or How question. If so you didn’t write with enough depth Be sure to use your outside to Analyse the Theme not just making a huge laundry list of information. Your To Do List NEEDs to be very specific!!!

Writing the Thematic Reminders Check the grading rubric and self grade your essay 5,4,3,2,or 1 scale. Did you address all aspects of the task? Did you answer the question?