CHC2D1 Canadian History Since World War IName: ______
RESEARCH ESSAY
Overview:Essay writing is an important and valuable skill which will prepare you for senior level courses
and for post-secondary education. It also helps develop research skills, critical thinking skills
and the ability to argue effectively. All Grade 10 Academic History students are required to
write a research essay.
Importance to your final grade:The research essay is an essential piece of evidence. It must be
completed. It is part of your 30% Course Summative (worth a total of
15% of your final mark).
______
STEP 1:Choose one of the following topics: (no more than 4 people per topic)
- French Canadians- Working Class- Soldiers
- Visible Minorities / Immigrants- Technology- Canadian Autonomy
- Canadian-American Relations- Women
- War and Peacekeeping - Cultural Contributors (Artists, Musicians, Athletes, etc.)
My Topic is:
______
STEP 2:Develop a good research question.
A good research question:
□considers the topic since 1914
□can be answered in more than one way (i.e. does not have an obvious answer)
□is specific (e.g. looks at treatment of a group; or contributions of a group; or impact of a certain issue)
□is grammatically correct and easy to understand
My Research Question is:
______
STEP 3:Decide on your subtopics.(2 – 4 subtopics)
- Subtopics may be organized by:
a) time period (e.g. WWI, WWII, etc.)
ORb) issues (e.g. women in workforce, politics and home)
My Subtopics are:
______
STEP 4:Write research notes on your topic and create a Works Cited List.
HAND IN RESEARCH NOTES AND WORKS CITED LIST FOR ASSESSMENT.
Check sources in the following order:1. Your notebook
2. Your textbook
3. Other resources in the library
Research notes will:
□be from at least 4 sources (e.g. your notebook, textbook, scrapbook, website, encyclopaedia)
□be written on cue cards (only one point on each cue card)
□use “chits” to record sources AND record sources on each cue card (source AND page #)
□be in POINT FORM
□be in YOUR OWN WORDS
□be written under the appropriate subheading
STEP 5: Write a thesis.
A thesis:
□is a clear and specific answer to your research question.
□is based on the research you have done
□includes brief references to your arguments.
□is only one sentence
Sample theses:
Although women won greater political rights in the first half of the twentieth century, it was not until the second half of the twentieth century that they started to win greater rights in the workplace.
Soldiers made a significant contribution to the building of Canadian identity through their involvement in ….
My thesis is:
______
STEP 6:Write your arguments out.
Arguments:
□are created out of your subtopics (each subtopic will become an argument)
□clearly state how the facts in your research notes will prove your thesis
□will become the opening sentences of your body paragraphs of your essay
You have already included a brief overview of your arguments in your thesis statement.
Now write your arguments out in full sentences on cue cards. (Each argument should be only 1 sentence.) Use one cue card for each argument.
My arguments are:
______
STEP 7:Organize your cue cards.
Lay out your cue cards as follows:
- Across the top, lay out your argument cue cards.
- Under each argument, lay out the cue cards you have written your research notes on.
- Organize your research notes so that similar points are together.
- Put the strongest or most important points first.
- You may have to rearrange your cards several times before you are satisfied with the order
- When your are satisfied with the order, number your cue cards
______
STEP 8:Create an essay outline. HAND IN ESSAY OUTLINE FOR ASSESSMENT.
□clearly states your thesis
□clearly outlines all your arguments
□includes powerful and relevant arguments
□states your arguments in full sentences
□states relevant, specific and important facts under each argument
□lists the source of each fact (author’s last name and page number) in brackets next to the fact
□states each fact in point form
□is neatly constructed and easy to read
Sample Essay Outline Format:
Thesis:
Argument #1: (full sentence)- fact (source)
- fact (source)
- fact (source)
Argument #2: (full sentence)- fact (source)
- fact (source)
Argument #3: (full sentence)- fact (source)
- fact (source)
______
STEP 9:Write your essay. HAND IN ESSAY FOR ASSESSMENT.
a) Write an introduction. An introduction is a paragraph which includes:
- 1-2 sentences which introduce the general topic
- 1 sentence which states the research question
- your thesis (1 sentence)
b) Write the body of the essay. The body of the essay includes:
- 2 – 4 paragraphs
- each paragraph states 1 argument and the facts which support it
- an opening sentence which states the argument
- a closing sentence which summarizes the paragraph
- internal citation: this is a bracket which follows every fact. In the bracket, you write the source of the
fact, including the page number)
c) Write a conclusion. The conclusion is a paragraph which includes:
- 1 sentence which restates your thesis
- 2-3 sentences which restate your arguments
- 1-2 sentences which “wrap up” and conclude the entire essay
d) The last page of your essay will be a good copy of your Works Cited List.
e) Create a title page. The title page does not have to be creative. It must include:
- an appropriate and effective title for your essay (please do not call it “History Essay”!)
- your name
- the teacher’s name
- the date ______
HISTORY ESSAY: FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Name of essay writer: ______
Name of assessor: ______
Date assessed: ______
Criteria / Always or completely / Sometimessomewhat / Rarely or Never
Format:
title page includes a title, your name, the teacher’s name and the date
title effectively and accurately reflects your topic
typed or very neatly handwritten
pages are numbered
double spaced
approximately 500-700 words (3-4 pages)
last page is a good copy of the works cited list
Introduction:
1-2 sentences which introduce the general topic
1 sentence which states the research question
thesis is clearly stated(1 sentence)
Body of the Essay:
opening sentence of each paragraph states the argument
each paragraph includes at least 2 facts
each fact helps explain the argument and helps prove the thesis
source is listed in brackets next to each fact (author’s last name and page number)
closing sentence of each paragraph summarizes the paragraph
analysis of facts is evident throughout essay
Conclusion:
1 sentence restates your thesis
2 -3 sentences summarize your arguments
1 -2 sentences “wrap up” your entire essay
Grammar and Spelling
Use of correct grammar and spelling throughout essay
CHC2D1 Canadian History Since World War I
ESSAY: FINAL EVALUATION
NAME: ______
Communication: ______Thinking: ______
20 20
(Note: Your research notes were marked for Knowledge and Understanding and your Works Cited
List was marked for Application)
Criteria / Always / completely / Sometimes/somewhat / Rarely / Never
Format (Communication):
title page includes a title, your name, the teacher’s name and the date / 2 / 1 / 0
typed or very neatly handwritten / 1 / ------/ 0
approximately 500-700 words (3-4 pages) / 1 / ------/ 0
last page is a good copy of the reference list / 1 / ------/ 0
Introduction: (Communication)
1-2 sentences which introduce the general topic / 2 / 1 / 0
1 sentence which states the research question / 1 / ------/ 0
thesis is clearly stated(1 sentence) / 2 / 1 / 0
Conclusion: (Communication)
1 sentence restates your thesis / 1 / ------/ 0
2 -3 sentences summarize your arguments / 2 / 1 / 0
1 -2 sentences “wrap up” your entire essay / 2 / 1 / 0
Grammar and Spelling (Communication)
Use of accurate grammar and spelling throughout essay / 5 4 / 3 2 / 1 0
Body of the Essay: (Thinking)
opening sentence of each paragraph states a powerful, clear and relevant argument / 3 / 2 / 1 0
each paragraph includes at least 2 facts / 3 / 2 / 1 0
each fact helps explain the argument and helps prove the thesis / 3 / 2 / 1 0
source is listed in brackets next to each fact (author’s last name and page number) / 3 / 2 / 1 0
closing sentence of each paragraph summarizes the paragraph / 3 / 2 / 1 0
analysis of facts is evident throughout essay / 5 4 / 3 2 / 1 0