Student Name:___________________________________ Class Period:______ Date: ____________
Ming Dynasty Sample Thesis Worksheet
Directions: Circle one of the following thesis examples for your paper. Go through the
documents in your essay packet and highlight all of the information that could be used
to support your body paragraphs. Be sure and indicate what information goes with
what topic sentence.
Sample Thesis #1: Ming China's isolationist policies changed China dramatically
through foreign policies (EXAMPLE: ZHENG HE VOYAGES END), stricter laws
concerning trade and foreign contact and use of former Chinese achievements to
enforce isolationism (Examples GREAT WALL of CHINA)
Possible Topic Sentences for Thesis #1:
 Topic Sentence #1: China's foreign policies changed dramatically due to
isolationism.
 Topic Sentence #2: China's laws changed to reflect isolationist policies.
 Topic Sentence #3: Some of China's building projects were used to enforce
isolationism.
Sample Thesis #2: Isolationism has had a large impact on Chinese history
because of it's contrast with pervious policies in China, the new isolationist laws
in China, the use of certain government projects to enforce isolationism.
Possible Topic Sentences for Thesis #2:
 Topic Sentence #1: China's isolationist policies changed China's goals and
behaviors towards other nations.
 Topic Sentence #2: China's laws changed to enforce isolationism.
 Topic Sentence #3: Certain government projects (such as GREAT WALL OF
CHINA or ZHENG HE's VOYAGES) were used to enforce isolationism in China.
Sample Thesis #3: Isolationism changed Ming China in many ways including
foreign contact, the everyday lives of Chinese people and China's view of
themselves as a country.
Possible Topic Sentences for Thesis #3:
 Topic Sentence #1: Isolationism changed Chinese foreign policy.
 Topic Sentence #2: Isolationism changed the everyday lives of Chinese
people.
 Topic Sentence #3: Isolationism changed the way China saw itself as a people
and as a nation.
Student Evidence Gathering Workbook
I selected Sample Thesis # ______ because ________________________________________________
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It says: ______________________________________________________________________________________
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Topic Sentence #1 says: _____________________________________________________________________
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In my Essay Packet, I found to following evidence about this topic:
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Topic Sentence #2 says: _____________________________________________________________________
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In my Essay Packet, I found to following evidence about this topic:
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Topic Sentence #3 says: _____________________________________________________________________
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In my Essay Packet, I found to following evidence about this topic:
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