DEFINING MOMENTS ESSAY

CONSTRUCTING A THESIS STATEMENT IN CANADIAN HISTORY

To construct an effective thesis for a research paper, one good technique is to show a relationship between two or more relevant concepts. Consider the lists below, and mentally experiment by connecting some of them.

Element of History / Relationship Terms / Effect on History
War
Battle
Invention
Technology
Military General
Prime Minister
Person
Event / -was a defining moment
-was responsible for
-about
-was instrumental in
-supported
-weakened
-strengthened
-was superior to
-was inferior to
-had a positive effect
-has a negative effect
-caused
-brought
-led to
-fragmented
-caused turmoil
-destroyed
-undermined
-brought
-affected
-saved / -Economic prosperity
-Economic decline
-Military power
-Military collapse
-political independence
-economic stability or instability
-Political stability or instability
-Rise of a nation
-Fall of a nation
-Influencing another culture
-Dominating/conquering
-contributed to victory
-contributed to autonomy
-social effects
-political effects
-economic effects
-military effects

Examples

·  The World Wars were directly responsible to the increase of women’s rights.

·  Prime Minister Diefenbaker’s decision to scrap the Avro Arrow had a negative effect on Canada.

Step 3: Question and Answer, and Thesis Formation Name: ______

Your Chosen Topic: ______

1. What are some controversial or arguable questions about your topic?
For example on the topic of End of WWI: Was the Treaty of Versailles Fair? This question can have two possible answers: yes and no!

2. What makes the topic a “defining moment” in Canada’s history?

3. Write down the thesis statement and supporting evidence.

Thesis Statement
(answer to the controversial question and defining moment question) / Argument / Evidence that Proves the Argument
& FOOTNOTE
Footnote Instructions
This is a good essay because it has a clear thesis, strong arguments and excellent writing style.

3. Please attach your updated list of sources in the typed, FULL BIBLIOGRAPHIC FORMAT.
Citation Builder