How to Write a Thematic Essay

BEFORE You Begin Writing an Essay Organize your information -use a graphic organizer *“4-Square” *Sandwich Method *Outline *List method -It doesn’t matter which on you choose…Use the style that fits you best!

Thesis Statements What is a thesis statement? -tells the reader what the essay will be about -tells the reader what point you will be making How do you write a good thesis statement? -look at your outline or theme/task *What are the main ideas and supporting ideas? Your thesis statement will have two parts. -The first part states the topic. -The second part states the point of the essay. *Or it lists the main ideas you will discuss Once you have formulated a thesis you are ready to continue writing the essay

The Introduction Communicates the idea with a strong thesis statement *uses the theme and task *declares what will be proven You MUST paraphrase your introduction Never copy directly from guidelines!

The Body Paragraphs Thoroughly address all elements of the task *use the rubric *organize by subject *use a lot of details to write as much as possible

The Conclusion Borrows some materials from the theme Repeats what was first stated in the introduction and proven in the body paragraphs Offers a final thought, recommendation or other analytical response

NYS Generic Scoring 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 Demonstrates a logical and clear plan of organization; includes an introduction and a conclusion that are beyond a restatement of the theme

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

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 paper

Let’s take a looksie! Theme: Conflict Differences among groups have often led to conflict. Task: Identify two ethnic, religious, political, and/or cultural conflicts and for each: • Discuss the historical circumstances that led to the conflict • Analyze the effect of this conflict on two groups involved You may use any examples from your study of global history and geography. Some suggestions you might wish to consider include the persecution of Christians during the Roman Empire, the Reign of Terror, the Armenian massacres, the forced famine in Ukraine, the Holocaust, Apartheid in South Africa, the Killing Fields of Cambodia, the conflict in Northern Ireland, the Sandinistas in Nicaragua, and the Tiananmen Square rebellion. You are not limited to these suggestions. Do not use any conflict that occurred in the United States.

Theme: Change [Individuals Who Have Changed History] The beliefs and achievements of individuals have changed global history. These beliefs and achievements have had positive and negative effects on society. Task: Identify two individuals who have changed global history and for each: • Explain one belief or achievement of that individual • Discuss the positive and/or negative effects of the individual’s belief or achievement You may use any individual from your study of global history. Some individuals that you might consider include Hammurabi, Confucius, Aristotle,Alexander the Great, Muhammad, Johannes Gutenberg, Queen Isabella, Leonardo da Vinci, John Locke, Catherine the Great, Simón Bolívar, or Nelson Mandela. You are not limited to these suggestions. Do not use any conflict that occurred in the United States.

You are not limited to these suggestions. Theme: Turning Points Turning points are major events in history that have led to lasting change. Task: Identify two major turning points in global history and for each: • Describe the historical circumstances surrounding the turning point • Explain how each turning point changed the course of history You may use any example from your study of global history. Some suggestions you might wish to consider include the Neolithic Revolution, the Crusades, the Renaissance, the Encounter, the French Revolution, the Russian Revolution of 1917, World War I, creation of the modern state of Israel, Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa, and the fall of the Berlin Wall. You are not limited to these suggestions. Do not use any conflict that occurred in the United States.

You are not limited to these suggestions. Essay Example: Theme: World Cuisine People often try new foods from far away countries. These foods quickly become some of their favorite dishes. Task: Identify two of your favorite foreign food dishes and for each: • Name the foreign country where your favorite dish originated • Describe the food dish • Explain why you like this food dish You may use any example of foreign food. Some suggestions you might wish to consider include food dishes from Italy, China, Mexico, Spain, Jamaica, England, Germany, Japan, Cuba, Morocco, India, France and Greece. You are not limited to these suggestions. Do not use any food dish that originated in the United States.