1. HOW TO WRITE A HISTORY ESSAY*
*WITHOUT GOING CRAZY*

2. What’s a thesis statement????
Introduction
Thesis Statements
After you have brainstormed and you have some main
ideas of what you would like to write in your essay, you can
begin thinking about writing a thesis statement.
What’s a thesis statement????

3. Definition Thesis Statement A thesis statement is a complete sentence
that contains one main idea. This idea controls
the content of the entire essay. A thesis
statement that contains sub-arguments also helps a
reader know how the essay will be organized.
Look at the introductory paragraph below. See
if you can identify the thesis statement and
sub-arguments.

4. Thesis Statement(Informal Essay)
Definition
Thesis Statement(Informal Essay)
When I was young, I always knew that I wanted to become a teacher someday. When I played, I would often gather my dolls together and pretend to teach them how to draw or how to read a book. As I grew older, my desire to become a history teacher became clearer as I did some volunteer teaching overseas and in Canada. As I look back on my reasons for becoming a teacher, there are three reasons that stand out. These consist of my love for history, my natural interest in how people learn, and my desire to help other people .
Sub-arguments in the thesis or nearby help the reader know how the essay will be organized
The thesis statement contains the main idea that controls the content of the essay.

5. Thesis Statement Another Example
Psychologists have argued for decades about how a person’s character is formed. Numerous psychologists believe that one’s birth order (i.e. place in the family as the youngest, oldest, or middle child) has the greatest influence. Birth order can have a significant impact in the formation of a child’s character. Birth order can strongly affect one’s relationship with parents, relationships with others, and how one views responsibility as an adult.
The thesis statement contains the main idea that controls the content of the essay.
Sub-arguments in the thesis or nearby help the reader know how the essay will be organized

6. Main Idea in a Complete Thesis
Key Features
Main Idea in a Complete Thesis
The sport of cross-country running.
This is not a complete sentence.
The sport of cross-country running allows people
to get in better shape and achieve goals such as completing marathons.
Thesis Statement
This is a question, not a statement.
Who would want to be a teacher?
Being a teacher is a great profession for those who like to work with students and be creative.
Thesis Statement

7. A Complete Thesis Sentence
Another Example
The problem of pollution in big cities.
This is not a complete sentence.
The problem of pollution in major cities can be
alleviated by limiting the number of cars allowed to
drive on city streets and creating more efficient public
transportation systems.
Thesis Statement
Why should marijuana be legalized?
This is a question, not a statement.
Marijuana should be legalized because it is not any
more addictive than tobacco and it can provide
numerous medicinal benefits for those suffering from
terminal illnesses.
Thesis Statement

8. Key Features Sub-arguments
The large influx of people to California has had major effects on the state.
No sub-arguments are named in this thesis statement.
Sub-argument #2
The large influx of people to California has had major effects on the ability of the state to provide housing, electricity, and jobs for all residents.
sub-argument #1
sub-argument #3
This statement names three sub-arguments. Can you find all of the subtopics?

9. Don’t State the Obvious
Key Features
Don’t State the Obvious
In thesis statements, you should avoid using
statements like, “This essay will discuss…” or
“I’m going to write about…”. Try to write a
thesis statement that captures your reader’s
attention without announcing your main topic
and stating the obvious. Look at the examples
below.

10. Don’t State the Obvious
Key Features
Don’t State the Obvious
In this essay, I am going to discuss the effects of long-term drug abuse.
Long-term drug use can have disastrous effects on one’s marriage, career, and health.

11. NEXT: THESIS ACTIVITY PLEASE REFERENCE YOUR ACTIVITY SHEET
WHAT IS THE BEST THESIS?
My opinion is that Japanese Canadians were discriminated against and despised very much just because they looked different and mainly because they weren’t at the top of the preferred list.
Overall, Japanese Canadians were unjustly treated during WWII due to the enactment of the War Measures Act. This Act unfairly discriminated against the Japanese as it limited their freedoms and rights, created public resentment against them and destroyed many of their communities.
The internment of Japanese Canadians occurred between
The implementation of the War Measures Act in WWII was unjust against Japanese Canadians because they lost all their property.

12. The Introductory Paragraph
The Paragraph that Hooks
Your Reader
Introduction

13. An Introduction A Closer Look
Let’s look at the introduction and see how the sentences
become more and more specific leading to the thesis statement.
There are a number of frightening disease epidemics occurring in the the world today, but one of the most frightening is the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.
Among the most serious of these sexually transmitted diseases is HIV which leads to AIDS, a fatal disease.
General
Statements
HIV is especially problematic among homeless people.
More
Specific
This particular population is difficult to treat due to a number of barriers such as limited access
to health care, mistrust of health care
professionals, and a lack of awareness of the
disease, itself.
Very Specific:
Thesis
Statement

14. Example #2
A Closer Look
Look at the example below to see how the sentences in the
introduction become more and more specific leading to the
thesis statement.
Overpopulation and finding ways to reduce it are big concerns of many
developing nations today. One nation that is concerned about this issue is India.
General
Statements
One of the biggest causes of overpopulation in India is the high infant
mortality rate.
More
Specific
Parents often have more children because they are fearful that if
some children die, there will not be enough children to take care
of them in their old age.
India is taking some important steps in dealing with this
problem. Some of the steps the Indian government is
taking are providing birth control for women, improving
pre-natal care, and educating women on the benefits
of having fewer children.
Very
Specific:
Thesis
Statement

15. AND THEN…. BODY PARAGRAPHS DON’T HAVE TO LIMIT TO THREE
EACH MUST HAVE A TOPIC SENTENCE
A TOPIC SENTENCE IS A MINI THESIS – SO CAN’T BE A FACT – MUST BE AN ARGUMENT!
TRY TO INCLUDE A CONCLUDING SENTENCE
USE TRANSITION WORDS IN THE TOPIC AND CONCLUDING SENTENCES

16. Body Paragraphs Purpose the main idea in your thesis statement by
The body paragraphs in your essay support
the main idea in your thesis statement by
breaking it down into smaller ideas or subtopics.
Ideas in your paragraphs should relate back to
the thesis statement.
Essay
Body Paragraph 3
_____________
Introduction &
Thesis Statement
Body Paragraph 1
_____________
Body Paragraph 4
_____________
Body Paragraph 2
_____________
Body Paragraph 5
_____________

17. Concluding Sentence Useful Expressions
It is sometimes helpful to have a concluding expression
in your last sentence to signal the end of your paragraph.
Some common expressions used in concluding sentences
are listed below.
It is clear that,
Finally,
In summary,
Consequently,
As a result,
These examples show that…

18. SUPPORT (QUOTED EVIDENCE)
YOU MUST USE QUOTED EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT YOUR ARGUMENTS IN ORDER TO MAKE YOUR ESSAY CREDIBLE.
NOW PLEASE REFER TO YOUR ACTIVITY SHEET!
(THANK YOU)

19. FORMAT FOR QUOTED EVIDENCE
SAMPLE #1:
Furthermore, the Treaty of Versailles left Germans with feelings of resentment and anger towards the rest of Europe. Germany felt extremely angry that all the blame for WWI had been placed on its shoulders. “The unwise thing about Versailles was that it annoyed the Germans yet did not render them too weak to retaliate.” (“How the
Treaty”) This was dangerous because it left Germany feeling like they had nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Introduce support point (P)
Use evidence to prove point(E)
Provide your own analysis/ explanation of evidence (E)

20. FORMAT FOR QUOTED EVIDENCE
Sample #2:
Above all, the Treaty led to the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi regime. As historian Peter Allen points out, “the Treaty led to low morale and quality of life among the German population.” (24) As Germans starved and lost their jobs, they were in desperate need of a hero. Hitler’s power of persuasion and clever use of propaganda posters gave him a firm grip on German people. “Nazi propaganda exploited the unhappiness caused by unemployment, grievances of Versailles and memories of inflation.” (Webster 45) Hence, the Treaty of Versailles is a major cause of the support Hitler was able to gain for his party. P E E

21. Making Your Last Paragraph Count
The Conclusion
Making Your Last Paragraph Count
The End

22. What should I include in my concluding paragraph?
The first sentence of the concluding paragraph is a clear, specific re-statement of thesis.
The conclusion should do more than simply re-state the argument.
It also suggests why the argument is important in the bigger scheme of things, or suggests avenues for further research, or raises a bigger question.

23. Example of a Concluding Paragraph
For instance, an essay on whether Hitler was a genius could end with this:
Adolf Hitler undoubtedly made some tactically genius moves leading up to and in the beginning stages of WWII. He manipulated many great leaders of the world, convinced a whole nation to do his bidding and support his unthinkable crimes and almost took over all of Europe before the Allies were ready to fight back. It is essential to analyse how Hitler was able to do all of this. It highlights the possibility that another dictator could rise up and threaten world peace once again. Historians must study and understand Hitler in order to prevent another maniac from rising to such a level of power.