Writing your History Day thesis/impact statement “Turning Points in History: People, Ideas, Events”

An effective impact statement… States an argument Relates to the History Day theme: “Turning Points in History” Is proven in the project Mentions three areas of focus (evidence that proves argument) 60 words or less One or two sentences States an argument Relates to the History Day theme: “Turning Points in History” Is proven in the project Mentions three areas of focus (evidence that proves argument) 60 words or less One or two sentences

Example using list: Columbus’s arrival in America signaled a turning point in the course of world history followed by Europeans racing to colonize and trade there. Although both early Americans and Europeans then enriched each others’ lives by sharing plants, animals, and ideas such as iron technology, the transfer of diseases to Americans led to the eventual dominance of Europeans in America.

Testing…could someone disagree? “Columbus’s arrival in America…” Someone might say that other explorers trips to America were needed to truly have the “racing to America” impact. “Columbus’s arrival in America…” Someone might say that other explorers trips to America were needed to truly have the “racing to America” impact.

Testing…could someone disagree? “… both early Americans and Europeans then enriched each others’ lives by sharing plants, animals, and ideas such as iron technology…” Someone could say that some plants (tobacco), animals (pigs), and metal (guns) caused more harm than good to the culture that received them. “… both early Americans and Europeans then enriched each others’ lives by sharing plants, animals, and ideas such as iron technology…” Someone could say that some plants (tobacco), animals (pigs), and metal (guns) caused more harm than good to the culture that received them.

Testing…could someone disagree? “…transfer of diseases let to eventual dominance of Europeans in America.” Someone could say that one must include the role of guns and horses in the dominance of Europeans over early Americans. “…transfer of diseases let to eventual dominance of Europeans in America.” Someone could say that one must include the role of guns and horses in the dominance of Europeans over early Americans.

Example with comparison: Columbus failed to achieve his breakthrough moment of landing in Asia faster than all others before him by sailing west, but his voyages to America must be considered a major turning point in European knowledge of the globe and the beginning of a surge in trade with and colonization of the Americas.

Testing…could someone disagree? “…riches he expected…” Some may say that Columbus did find riches and was convinced that others were available in the lands he explored. “…riches he expected…” Some may say that Columbus did find riches and was convinced that others were available in the lands he explored.

Try these conjunctions: Cause and Effect Conjunctions Since.. Because… When… In order… Due to… For… So… Cause and Effect Conjunctions Since.. Because… When… In order… Due to… For… So…

More conjunctions: Conditional and contrasting conjunctions: But… Yet… Although… While… Until… Unless… If… Conditional and contrasting conjunctions: But… Yet… Although… While… Until… Unless… If…

Try… “Because of [what turning point event, a time when significant customs or rules changed]… Then tell specific effects--total of three is good. Be sure to insert theme words: turning point, breaking point, breakthrough, time of major change; turned, changed from then on … “Because of [what turning point event, a time when significant customs or rules changed]… Then tell specific effects--total of three is good. Be sure to insert theme words: turning point, breaking point, breakthrough, time of major change; turned, changed from then on …

Try… [What turning point] was caused by… State three causes of the turning point Be sure to insert the theme! [What turning point] was caused by… State three causes of the turning point Be sure to insert the theme!

Try this, too: Add time and/or place, if you wish: “When explorers were searching for a faster route to Asia…” “Although explorers of the fifteenth century…” “Because Columbus thought he could reach Asia faster by traveling west…” Add time and/or place, if you wish: “When explorers were searching for a faster route to Asia…” “Although explorers of the fifteenth century…” “Because Columbus thought he could reach Asia faster by traveling west…”

Think about… What is important about your topic? Which thesis pattern suits you topic and what you understand about its importance? What should people learn from you to understand its importance? What is important about your topic? Which thesis pattern suits you topic and what you understand about its importance? What should people learn from you to understand its importance?

Still thinking… How will you show your research? Project choices are: Exhibit Website Documentary Performance Historical Paper How will you show your research? Project choices are: Exhibit Website Documentary Performance Historical Paper