To Write the Thematic Essay (#2)

E. Napp

Objective: To create an outline for a thematic essay and to write a thematic essay from the New York State Global History and Geography Regents examination

Do Now: What are two benefits of creating an outline before writing? ______

Analyzing the Directions So That You Think About Something to Write About:

  • What is the essay’s theme?

______

  • Define the essay’s theme. ______
  • How many classical civilizationsmust the student select? ______
  • What two points must the student address for each classical civilization? ______
  • What does the word “describe” mean in the directions? ______
  • What does the word “discuss” mean in the directions? ______
  • What does the word “classical” mean in the directions? ______
  • Define a classical civilization. ______
  • What are several suggested classical civilizations? ______
  • How does the list of suggestions help the test taker? ______

Unlike a DBQ essay, a thematic essay does not have documents to help the test taker. As such, the test taker must have information from the class to help answer the question. The thematic essay reminds learners that some information must be memorized in order to excel on an examination. Of course, the best way to memorize information is to practice.

Since writing a thematic essay may be a new experience, let’s take a small step towards understanding what this essay question is asking. See if you can complete the following sentences below using the Word Bank:

  • A classical civilization is a civilization that develops new ideas and ______that are still used today.
  • The ancient ______invented democracy.
  • In Athens, only free ______born in Athens voted. Women, slaves, and foreigners did not vote.
  • The ancient Athenians used ______in architecture.
  • The Romans developed a ______. Citizens voted for representatives.
  • The ______Tables were Rome’s written laws.
  • The Han used the ______system to select candidates for government service.
  • ______became the official philosophy of the Han dynasty.
  • The Romans and the Han ______extensively.
  • The ______Road was an important trade route across Asia.
  • The Gupta experienced a ______age.
  • The concept of ______and the decimal system developed during the Gupta dynasty.
  • The Mayas lived in southern ______and Guatemala.
  • The Mayas developed the concept of zero and built ______.
  • The Mayas lived in the ______forest.
  • Alexander the Great spread ______, a Greek-like culture..
  • Asoka renounced ______after the Battle of Kalinga and converted to Buddhism.
  • The ______of Asoka spread Asoka’s message of peace.

Now that we have an understanding of the theme and the task, let’s complete the outline below for our essay:

First Selected Classical Civilization:
______ / Second Selected Classical Civilization:
______
  • Describe several achievements of the classical civilization
/
  • Describe several achievements of the classical civilization

  • Discuss how the classical civilization changed the region and area
/
  • Discuss how the classical civilization changed the region and area

An outline provides a map for the writing of the essay. In the space below, write the essay:

The Essay:

Introduction:

______

Paragraph #1:

______

______

Paragraph #2:

______

______

Conclusion:

______