Writing a Historical Thesis

Social Studies Skills

Spring 2016

History vs. English

• We are teaching it very similarly… The differences will come later.

• It’s PERFECTLY fine how your English teacher teaches you to write in English class… They know what they are talking about.

• This is about teaching you how to write in History. So when the differences come about, don’t go to your English teacher and say “Well, this isn’t how we learned it in History” (vice versa).

Types of Writing in Social Studies• Narrative:

•Tells a story or explains a series of events (real or imagined), more or less

chronologically.

Types of Writing in Social Studies• Informative / Explanatory:

•Takes complicated ideas or processes, or information from various sources, and

makes it clear and manageable.

Types of Writing in Social Studies

• Argumentative:

•Uses logical, ordered thinking and evidence to establish the

validity of a position or interpretation.

Types of Writing in Social Studies

• Effective Argument is NOT

•Just about “winning” or persuading, and it’s especially

not about merely justifying previously held opinions.

Scaffolding / Practicing / Combining

Effective Argumentation

The larger goal of effective

Argumentation is to find better answers

and reach more complete understanding

through productive conflict and

purposeful reevaluation.

“Understanding” vs. “Giving in”

It is not compromising or selling out

one’s beliefs or worldview to try to

better understand other beliefs or

worldviews. Understanding does not

require acceptance or approval in your

heart of hearts.

Similar?

• A =

• B =

• X =

• Y =

• Z =

Similar?

• A = Your Subject or Topic

• B = Your Opinion

• X = Supporting Detail # 1

• Y = Supporting Detail # 2

• Z = Supporting Detail # 3

Sample

• I love my (significant adult) because __________, __________, and _________________.

Sample

• I love my (significant adult) because ____(X)______, ____(Y)______, and ____(Z)____. • A = Your Subject or Topic

• B = Your Opinion

• X = Supporting Detail # 1

• Y = Supporting Detail # 2

• Z = Supporting Detail # 3

Sample

• I love my (significant adult) because ____(X)______, ____(Y)______, and ____(Z)____. • A = Your Subject or Topic

• B = Your Opinion

• X = Supporting Detail # 1

• Y = Supporting Detail # 2

• Z = Supporting Detail # 3

OPINION WORDS (i.e. I believe, etc.)

ARE NOT OKAY IN FORMAL WRITING!

DO NOT DO THIS!!!

10 Steps to Writing a Historical Thesis

Step # 1: Read the Prompt CAREFULLY!

•What exactly is being asked?• What terms, times, ideas, names, or other parts of

the prompt should you stop and consider before formulating a response?

• Is there anything that you are unsure about?• Resolve it as best as you can before moving on.

• Don’t just ‘start’ and hope for the best.

Step # 2: Look at the obvious ways to respond

•What are your initial thoughts, impressions, and ideas?• Is this a Yes / No Prompt?

• Do you need to Analyze and/or Evaluate?

•Write down some possible approaches or responses that come to mind immediately.• Remember: you will not be limited to these.

STOP AND THINK!!!

STOP AND THINK!!!

STOP AND THINK!!!

Practicing Steps One and Two

• Practice Prompt # 1:

To what extent is Union a good school to attend in 2015?

Step # 3: Brainstorm

• Depending on how much time you are given (overall), set aside time to start thinking about your topic. • List anything that comes to mind.

• Remember: You are NOT committing to anything right now, you are just getting your ideas out of your head and on to your paper!

Step # 4: Read the Prompt AGAIN

• Now that you have some ideas about what you may write, it is good to regain focus and start thinking about what you are really trying to say.

• If your brainstorming has prompted other ideas, it is good to look back and see which direction you would like to take your writing.

Step # 5: Categorize / Organize your information

Step # 5: Categorize / Organize your information

• When categorizing / organizing your information, it is best to remember a default of three key points (X. Y, and Z) will be needed to write a solid thesis.

• Generally, (in History) those three categories need to be E/S/P• E – Economic

• S – Social

• P - Political

To what extent is Union a good school?

SOCIAL POLITICAL ECONOMIC

Step # 6: Read and briefly analyze any documents which accompany the prompt.

Step # 7: Decide how you are going to respond to the prompt and write your initial thesis.

• It’s time to commit (one way or another).

• At this point, your thesis should consist simply of a ‘stance’.• What is the point that you are arguing or trying to make?

• Depending on the length of the assignment, your thesis may be very specific or somewhat general. • Be sure that you are paying attention to the directions and know what you

are supposed to do.

Step # 7: Write your initial thesis. (Continued)

• Examples: • TOO GENERAL

• The American colonists were justified in waging war and breaking away from Great Britain for economic, social, and political reasons.

Step # 7: Write your initial thesis. (Continued)

• Examples: • RATHER GENERAL

• The American colonists were justified in waging war and breaking away from Great Britain due to economic abuses by Parliament, socially unacceptable behavior by the armed forces, and political injustice at the hands of British authorities.

Step # 7: Write your initial thesis. (Continued)

• Examples: • VERY SPECIFIC

• The American colonists were justified in waging war and breaking away from Great Britain because they were taxed without representation, oppressed by the presence of armed troops in their homes and communities, and could no longer expect fair treatment by the courts or the legal system established to protect their rights as Englishmen.

Step # 7: Write your initial thesis. (Continued)

• In all cases, your stand / stance should restate the question (rephrase the prompt) as closely as possible (for now) and you should have the details and evidence ready for all of your supporting points, whether you write it in your thesis or not.

Recap - Format

• (Restate the prompt while taking your ‘stand’) because [Supporting Point 1], [Supporting Point 2], and [Supporting Point 3].

A? B? X? Y?Z?

Practicing Steps One Seven

• Prompt # 1:

Should High School students be required to complete a substantial number of community service hours in order to graduate?

• Prompt # 2:

Should students who make straight As and have perfect attendance be exempt from all finals?

• Prompt # 3:

(In a world where funding is not an issue)

Would student engagement be increased, if each student had an iPad/ Laptop / Tablet checked out to them?