“How to Guide for
Thematic Essays”
Global History 9
Mr. Meetze
What is a
Thematic
Essay?
A Thematic Essay is designed to function as a Traditional
Essay where the student is provided a specific Theme found
throughout history and then is given choices to prove that they
can identify and explain key people, events, or topics from the
course which will be written on a ‘Final’ Essay Paper on the
Final Exam
Thematic Essay Topics
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Belief Systems
Change
Citizenship
Conflict
Culture and Intellectual Life
Decision Making
Diversity
Economic Systems
Thematic Essay Topics
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Environment and Society
Factors of Production
Human and Physical Geography
Human Rights
Imperialism
Interdependence
Justice
Movement of People and Goods
Thematic Essay Topics
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Nationalism
Nation State
Needs and Wants
Political Systems
Power
Scarcity
Science and Technology
Urbanization
Rules for ALL Thematics
• How Many Paragraphs
should Thematic Essays
be?
• How many Documents
do you need to cite in
your Thematic essay?
• Can You use the Theme
in your Introduction
Paragraph?
Terms You Need to Understand
• Student Thoroughly
addresses all Tasks
• Essay is More
Analytical than
Descriptive
• Richly Supports the
Theme with Facts &
Details
• Beyond a
Restatement of the
Theme
NYS Sample 10th Grade Thematic
Remember to Read & Highlight ALL S.S. Keys
1st ThingYour Thematic
Essay Topic
2nd ThingYour ‘To Do List’
for your 2 Body
Paragraphs
3rd ThingPotential
Choices and if
the Essay has
any Excludors
Thematic Essay Scoring
5,4,3,2,1 Rubric
Score of 5: = 100
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Thoroughly develops all aspects of the task evenly and in depth
Is more analytical than descriptive (analyzes, evaluates, and/or creates* information)
Richly supports the theme with many relevant facts, examples, and details
Demonstrates a logical and clear plan of organization; includes an introduction and a conclusion
that are beyond a restatement of the theme
Score of 4: = 80
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Develops all aspects of the task but may do so somewhat unevenly
Is both descriptive and analytical (applies, analyzes, evaluates, and/or creates information)
Supports the theme with relevant facts, examples, and details
Demonstrates a logical and clear plan of organization; includes an introduction and a conclusion
that are beyond a restatement of the theme
Score of 3:
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= 60
Develops all aspects of the task with little depth or develops most aspects of the task in some
depth
Is more descriptive than analytical (applies, may analyze, and/or evaluate information)
Includes some relevant facts, examples, and details; may include some minor inaccuracies
Demonstrates a satisfactory plan of organization; includes an introduction and a conclusion that
may be a restatement of the theme
Thematic Essay Scoring
5,4,3,2,1 Rubric
Score of 2: = 40
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Minimally develops all aspects of the task or develops some aspects of the task in some depth
Is primarily descriptive; may include faulty, weak, or isolated application or analysis
Includes few relevant facts, examples, and details; may include some inaccuracies
Demonstrates a general plan of organization; may lack focus; may contain digressions; may not
clearly identify which aspect of the task is being addressed; may lack an introduction and/or a
conclusion
Score of 1: = 20
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Minimally develops some aspects of the task
Is descriptive; may lack understanding, application, or analysis
Includes few relevant facts, examples, or details; may include inaccuracies
May demonstrate a weakness in organization; may lack focus; may contain digressions; may not
clearly identify which aspect of the task is being addressed; may lack an introduction and/or a
conclusion
Score of 0:
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Fails to develop the task or may only refer to the theme in a general way; OR includes no relevant
facts, examples, or details; OR includes only the theme, task, or suggestions as copied from the
test booklet; OR is illegible; OR is a blank pape
The ‘2 Liter’ Thematic Design?
Thematic
Outline
 First Take out a
Sheet of paper
 Quickly Draw a big
Square, an Upside
Triangle, & a Triangle
 Within the Square
divide the object into 4
sections using 2 lines.
1st Title of Thematic Essay
Define the Theme Discuss the
Use Your Sample
Importance of the Theme to the
Outline
World
Outside Info
To Do List
a.
‘Bottle Cap’
Write the
Thematic
Question
b.
2 Body
Paragraph
Topics
Intro- Min 4
Sentences
c.
Brainstorm at least
6 specific facts
per Paragraph
7-10 Sentences
Minimum
Conclusion
Min 4 Sentences
Either Link Thematic to
another topic or Relate the
Theme to life today
Open the
‘Bottle Cap’
Write the
Thematic
Question
THEMATIC ESSAY QUESTION
Directions: Write a well-organized essay that includes an introduction, several
paragraphs addressing the task below, and a conclusion.
Theme: Culture and Intellectual Life
Throughout history, many cultures have experienced a Golden Age when great
advances were made in a variety of different fields including the categories of Art &
Architecture, Engineering, Literature, Poetry, Math, Medicine, Science, and Trading.
Task:
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Identify two different cultures that experienced a Golden Age.
Describe the specific achievements of each culture identified.
Explain how these achievements continue to influence the modern world
You may use any example from your study of global history. Do not use the United
States. Some suggestions you might wish to consider include:
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Babylon or the Chaldeans of Mesopotamia
Gupta Dynasty in India
The Han or Tang Dynasty of China
Athens in the 5th century
The Roman Empire during the Pax Romana
Islamic Empire during the 9th Century in Bagdad
(You Must the Islamic Empire as One of your Choices for this essay only)
Title of Thematic: Culture & Intelectual Life
Reminder:
10-15 minutes
total on the
Outline
Islamic
Empire
Intro- Min 4
Sentences
To Do List
Outside Info
A. MedicineSpecifically?
B. ???
C. Today
Brainstorm at least
6 specific facts
per Paragraph
7-10 Sentences
Minimum
A
Your Choice
B.
C.
Conclusion
Min 4 Sentences
Writing the Thematic Reminders
1. Make sure the Intro
and Conclusion does
not consist of ‘This is
What I’m Going to Do’
and ‘This is What I
just Wrote’
2. Use your Outline for
your essay. By doing
so you address the
clear plan and
organization task of
the question
Writing the Thematic Reminders
1. After you write a
sentence make sure you
can not ask yourself a
Who, What, Where,
When, Why, or How
question. If so you didn’t
write with enough depth
2. Be sure to use your
outside to Analyse the
Theme not just making a
huge laundry list of
information. Your To Do
List NEEDs to be very
specific!!!
Writing the Thematic Reminders
1. Check the grading
rubric and self
grade your essay
5,4,3,2,or 1 scale.
2. Did you address
all aspects of the
task?
3. Did you answer
the question?