Thesis Statements in Social Studies

What should a thesis be? A specific argument that answers the question. Example question: Compare and contrast the Han Empire during 206 B.C.E-220C.E. with the Spanish empire of the sixteenth century. The specific argument here would include at least one comparison and one contrast and reference both the empires and the time frames.

Examples A basis thesis statement: There were many similarities and differences between the Han Empire during 206 B.C.E-220C.E. and the Spanish empire of the sixteenth century. A thesis statement with greater detail and more appropriate for social studies: There were many similarities and differences between the Han Empire during 206 B.C.E -220 C.E. and the Spanish empire of the sixteenth century. One was land based and the other sea based yet they both grew rich from conquest of territory outside their boundaries.

Additional Information A thesis statement can be two or more sentences. A short thesis may be better than a very long one. But length doesn’t always determine quality.