Building a Thesis

WHAT IS A THESIS?  A thesis is a short statement that describes what you believe about your topic and what you intend to prove.  Makes a claim that others might dispute (disagree with).

NHD projects should do more than just tell a story.  Every exhibit, performance, documentary, paper and web site should make a point about its topic. To do this, you must develop your own argument of the historical impact of the person, event, pattern or idea you are studying. The point you make is called a thesis statement. A thesis statement is not the same as a topic. Your thesis statement explains what you believe to be the impact and significance of your topic in history.  Topic: Battle of Gettysburg Thesis Statement: The battle of Gettysburg was a major turning point of the Civil War. It turned the tide of the war from the South to the North, pushing back Lee's army that would never fight again on Northern soil and bringing confidence to the Union army.

A good thesis starts with a good question!

Thesis? What is a thesis?  Controlling idea that constructs the rest of the project  In a history paper/project, the thesis generally explains why or how something happened.  Every sentence of the paper/project should support your thesis.  Information that is NOT directly related to the thesis will appear irrelevant.  With a weak or no thesis, much of the paper will appear to be irrelevant and unguided.

A good historical thesis:  Takes a stand by making a point which will be backed up by evidence  Has a narrow and specific focus  Expresses one main idea  Tells the viewer why the subject is historically significant, and often suggests change over time  Is presented as a statement, not a topic or question  Is historical, not a statement about current events

But how?  You must start with a CLEAR QUESTION.  A thesis which does not answer a question, or answers a simple or obvious question, is not a thesis.  Ask thoughtful questions of the topic and primary source material to develop a good thesis.  The best theses are good precisely because the questions they answer are significant, complex, and original.

Developing a Thesis Build from the topic  Thesis = Topic + Theme + Impact (Significance)  Watch this! Watch this!

 Questions help to begin to “probe” the topic  Gives a direction for research  Many questions that could be asked of the general topic Example: Jazz and Music Revolution Develop question(s) around the topic Who ? What ? Where ? When ? Why ? How ?

Developing a Thesis Develop (create) a unique perspective on the topic Jazz music revolutionized music because it was one of the first forms of African-American music to cross into “mainstream” white America. Jazz and Music Revolution

Finish the sentence for each of the following for your topic: DO NOW: On a separate sheet of paper Hypothesis:  Dear Reader, I want to convince you that… Summary of evidence and logic:  The reasons you should believe me are… Context and Conclusion (historical significance):  You should care because….

 Evaluate the thesis statements- Ask  these questions for each thesis:  1. Is it clear what the project will be about?  2. Is it arguable? Is there something that has to be proven?  3. Do I have the facts and data necessary to prove the thesis?  4. Is there only one main idea?  5. Is it about something in the past that is important?

 Artists of Chicago:  The Juvenile Court system was established to remove children from the adult criminal justice system and help youth reform, but over the years it became a source of punishment and imprisonment.  Pesticides kill thousands of farmworkers and must be stopped.  Before Title IX, there were few female basketball players. 1. Is it clear what the project will be about? 2. Is it arguable? Is there something that has to be proven? 3. Do I have the facts and data necessary to prove the thesis? 4. Is there only one main idea? 5. Is it about something in the past that is important?

This is the hardest part of the project, do not expect it to come easily.  After thesis is developed:  Read through it again  Search for vague (unclear) words and phrases  Underline such phrases  Re-word them to be more specific

Resources for Thesis Writing:  Purdue OWL (Online Writing Lab)  01/ 01/  UNC Chapel Hill Writing Center  -demos/writing-the-paper/thesis-statements -demos/writing-the-paper/thesis-statements  Indiana University Writing Center  statement.shtml#assigned statement.shtml#assigned  Thesis Builder 

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