Title: HOW TO WRITE A HISTORY ESSAY*
1HOW TO WRITE A HISTORY ESSAY
2FIRST STEP THE RESEARCH
- YOUR RESEARCH MUST INCLUDE AT LEAST ONE BOOK
-
- ALL THE SOURCES YOU CONSULTED MUST APPEAR IN
YOUR BIBLIOGRAPHY -
- YOUR BIBLIOGRAPHY MUST HAVE A MINIMUM OF FIVE
SOURCES -
- THE MORE VARIETY YOU HAVE THE BETTER YOUR
THINKING/INQUIRY MARK WILL BE
3Introduction
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.
Whats a thesis statement????
4Definition
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.
5Definition
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.
6Thesis Statement
Another Example
Psychologists have argued for decades about
how a persons character is formed. Numerous
psychologists believe that ones 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 childs character.
Birth order can strongly affect ones
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
7Key Features
Main Idea in a Complete Thesis
The sport of cross-country running allows
people to get in better shape and achieve goals
such as completing marathons.
Thesis Statement
Being a teacher is a great profession for those
who like to work with students and be creative.
Thesis Statement
8A Complete Thesis Sentence
Another Example
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
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
9Key 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.
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.
This statement names three sub-arguments.
Can you find all of the subtopics?
10Key Features
Dont State the Obvious
- In thesis statements, you should avoid using
- statements like, This essay will discuss or
- Im going to write about. Try to write a
- thesis statement that captures your readers
- attention without announcing your main topic
- and stating the obvious. Look at the examples
- below.
11Key Features
Dont 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 ones marriage, career, and health.
12NEXT 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 werent 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 1941-1949. - The implementation of the War Measures Act in
WWII was unjust against Japanese Canadians
because they lost all their property.
13The Introductory Paragraph
The Paragraph that Hooks Your Reader
Introduction ------------------------------
14An Introduction
A Closer Look
Lets 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
15Example 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
16AND THEN.
BODY PARAGRAPHS
DONT HAVE TO LIMIT TO THREE
EACH MUST HAVE A TOPIC SENTENCE
A TOPIC SENTENCE IS A MINI THESIS SO CANT BE A
FACT MUST BE AN ARGUMENT!
TRY TO INCLUDE A CONCLUDING SENTENCE
USE TRANSITION WORDS IN THE TOPIC AND CONCLUDING
SENTENCES
17Body Paragraphs
Purpose
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.
Body Paragraph 3 _____________
Introduction Thesis Statement
Body Paragraph 4 _____________
Body Paragraph 1 _____________
Body Paragraph 2 _____________
Body Paragraph 5 _____________
18Concluding 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.
19SUPPORT (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)
20FORMAT 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)
21FORMAT 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. Hitlers 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
22HOW THE SOURCES WOULD APPEAR IN THE BIBLIOGRAPHY
- Allen, Peter. Witness History Series The Origins
of World War II. Boston Wayland Limited, 1991. - "How the Treaty Caused the War." CBC Archives.
2006. CBC. 22 Apr. 2008 ltwww.cbc.ca/treatyofversai
llesgt. - Webster, Dan. The Failure of the Treaty of
Versailles. The Globe and Mail. 13 April 1950. - USE EASYBIB.COM FOR FORMAT!
23NEXT Outline
- for potential employers to get to know the
candidate better, so it is important that
questions are answered honestly and completely. - A. Ask interviewers to repeat difficult
questions. - B. Take some time to think about the
questions. - C. A notebook to write down key words in
interview questions is sometimes helpful. - IV. Body Paragraph 3
- Topic Sentence By preparing some thoughtful
questions for the end of the interview, a
candidate can show the panel that s/he is
prepared for the interview and wants the job. - A. Research the job and/or company before the
interview. - B. The interview is an opportunity to get to
know the potential employer. Ask questions
about company goals, mission, expectations of
employees. C. Do not ask questions about
benefits or salary during the interview. Get
this information before you apply for the job. - Conclusion Do not underestimate the importance
of a good interview.
- Introduction- Thesis Statement A job interview
can often make or break your chances of getting
your dream job. There are several things that
can be done in an interview to increase the
possibility of success such as dressing properly,
answering interview questions thoroughly, and
asking good questions at the end of the
interview. - Body Paragraph 1
- Topic Sentence The way one dresses can have a
big impact on an interview panels first
impressions of you. - A. Men and women should consider wearing dark
suits. - B. Conservative dress will show the interview
panel the candidate is serious. - C. Dont carry too many things into the
interview. A notebook, pens, and/or laptop
computer should be carried in a briefcase. - D. Hair and nails should be clean and
neat. - III. Body Paragraph 2
- Topic Sentence An interview is an opportunity
24What 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.
25The Conclusion
Making Your Last Paragraph Count
26Example 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.
27LASTLY TO AVOID THIS UNFORTUNATE EVENT, ENSURE
YOU HAVE THE FOLLOWING DETAILS IN ORDER
28THE TITLE PAGE SHOULD LOOK LIKE THIS?
- Never Again The Story of the Holocaust
- Interesting Title
- Your Name
- My Name
- Date
29FINALLY
- Bibliography
- Your paper should end with a bibliography, which
is started on a new page, and labelled
"Bibliography" at top. (The page of the
bibliography generally is left un-numbered.) The
bibliography includes all works consulted, not
merely those works cited in your paper. - Line spacing
- The text of your paper should be double-spaced.
- Typeface
- For the typeface, use a simple font, like Courier
10, Roman, or Times. Clarity and ease of reading
are the goals avoid fancy and difficult-to-read
fonts. - A note on page length
- If you lack room, simply allow the paper to
exceed the length requirements rather than
expanding margins, reducing typefaces, etc. On
the other hand, if the paper is too short, avoid
tricks like increasing the point size of the
typeface, or increasing the margins. - Page numbers
- The first page need not be numbered. On the
following pages, page numbers are placed on the
upper-right corner of the page. - Computerized spelling and grammar checkers
- These are great, but do not rely on them too
much. You are expected to edit and correct your
paper yourself. - Rough notes showing this process will be
evaluated and included in your final mark.