Thesis Statement Stems
Below are examples of thesis statement stems that you can use for your research paper. Look over each
one carefully. Spend some time going through your textbook, the library, and the internet to see which
one will appeal to you the most. You may come up with your own topic but it must be approved by Mr.
Harkins.
1. The ___________ was the most important invention of _________________ because …
Examples: telephone, TV, radio, car, airplane, etc.
2. ______________ was the most influential person during ________________ because
Examples: Lincoln during Reconstruction, TR during the Progressive Era, Alice Paul during the
Women’s Suffrage Movement, Andrew Carnegie during the Industrial Age
3. The three areas most affected by the growth of the Railroad were …
4. The _______________ Amendment was the most important because …
5. The three areas affected the most by Western Expansion were …
6. The three biggest push/pull factors for immigrants were …
7. The growth of cities was a positive/negative event because …
8. Three effective forms of Propaganda are __________________ because …
9. _____________ was the least/most effective President during their time in office because …
10. The United States should or should not have a policy of isolationism/expansionism because …
11. The Panama Canal is essential to world trade because …
12. The MAIN cause of WWI was _____________
13. ______________ is to blame for WWI because …
14. The Treaty of Versailles was fair/unfair because …
15. __________ influenced American culture the most in the 1920’s because…
Examples: Movies, Jazz, flappers, writers, sports, etc.
16. The 3 main causes of the economic depression that began in the late 1920’s were …
17. FDR’s 3 best policies in the New Deal were___________________________ because
18. The United States’ biggest influences on World War II were …