CHC2D – ISU THESIS
Step 1 – You need to pick a topic that interests you: Go through the course calendar, the list of topics, the courses text book. (remember it has to have a Canadian perspective)
** Your topic is not your thesis!!!!
For Example
- The airplane revolutionized the way air wars would be fought.
Questions: What war did airplanes make their first appearance?
What type of plane? (specific names)
What weapons were they using before this and why would an airplane revolutionize a war?
Step 2 – Start research on said topic using the ‘Note Making Sheet’. You will need to submit these for marks. Therefore not only will they help you write your essay but they will also get you extra marks towards your essay. If you were on the fence about a subject the note making sheets might help you decide what essay you want to write.
Writing a Historical Essay
A strong history essay opens with an effective introduction that establishes the topic, the nature of the issue to be discussed and the essay’s central thesis. The introduction is followed by a series of paragraphs that directly relate to the thesis and provide historical evidence and analysis that support the thesis. An effective conclusion restates the thesis, connects the main argument to the thesis, and brings the essay to a close
Helpful Hints on Developing a Thesis
Developing a thesis can be a difficult task. To complete it successfully, you must research your topic area thoroughly first. Next you should organize and consolidate your ideas you have developed through research note taking. Once an answer has emerged to the focus question you posed, or you observe a trend emerging in your research.
Don’t forget!
Definitions:
A TOPIC is simply a general area of study or a question to explore.
A THESIS is your point of view on a topic or your answer to the question developed upon researching the topic. A thesis is always much narrower in scope than the topic.
FOUR STEPS TO A GOOD THESIS STATEMENT
STEP 1 - Brainstorm the topic.
Let’s say that your question is “What are three main causes of WWI?” You find that you can recall MAIN
You start out with a thesis statement like this:
Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, Nationalism, Archduke Ferdinand.
This fragment isn’t a thesis statement. Instead, it simply indicates general subjects. Furthermore, your reader doesn’t know what you want to say about any of these subjects.
STEP 2 - Narrow the topic.
Your considering your topics, you think you can write the most on Militarism, Nationalism, and Imperialism, but not Alliances and Ferdinand. You also recall that all the countries wanted to keep the balances of power, so that’s what led to these three causes.
You change your thesis to look like this:
Maintain a balance of power, causing militarism, nationalism, and imperialism.
This fragment not only announces your subject, but it focuses your argument. You should note that this fragment is not a thesis statement because your reader doesn’t know your conclusions on the topic.
STEP 3 - Take a position on the topic.
After reflecting on the topic a little while longer, you decide that what you really want to say about this topic is that the foreign policies of countries in Europe focused on what would eventually cause the war.
You revise your thesis statement to look like this:
Prior to WWI, countries in Europe sought to maintain a balance of power, which caused their foreign policies to be militaristic, nationalistic, and imperialistic.
This statement asserts your position, but the term foreign policy is vague.
STEP 4 - Use specific language.
You decide to explain what you mean about foreign policy, so you write:
Prior to WWI, countries in Europe sought to maintain a balance of power, which caused disputes and competition in their foreign policies so much that militarism, nationalism, and imperialism led to war.