Essay Topics
Grade 10 History
1) The Maritimes entry in Confederation
2) Immigration policy and the West
3) Woman and farm life in Canada
4) New Economic Policy
5) Japanese internment
6) The Winnipeg general strike
7) Canada at War (Boer, World War I,
World War II, Korean, etc.)
8) Canada's role as a peacekeeper
9) The Canada-Russia hockey series of
1972
10) Social Reform and the welfare state
11) Provincial-Federal relations
12) US-Canada relations
13) The protection of Canadian identity
(CBC, NFB, etc.)
14) The Cold War
15) The Quiet Revolution in Quebec
16) Trudeau and the rise of Liberalism
17) The BNA Act and the 1982
Constitution
18) Amateur sport in Canada
19) The October Crisis
20) The Cuban Missile Crisis
21) The Suez Crisis
22) Prohibition
23) Tommy Douglas and Medicare
24) Diefenbaker and Kennedy
25) Pearson and Johnson
26) Canada and the Vietnam War
27) Vimy Ridge
28) Iraq War
29) War in Afghanistan
30) National Child Care Program
31) Choose a Prime Minister and
evaluate their legacy
32) Carpet bombing in WW2
33) Should Canada have a military?
34) The Naval Question
35) The Lusitania
36) Unrestricted submarine warfare
37) Zimmerman telegram
38) Newfoundland Regiment WW1
39) French Canadian Reaction to WW1
40) French Canadian Reaction to WW2
41) Quebec Referendum - 1980
42) Quebec Referendum – 1995
43) October Crisis
44) Meech Lake Accord
45) Charlottetown Agreement
46) Oka Crisis
47) Person’s Case
48) Winnipeg General Strike
49) St. Louis
50) Gouzenko Affair
51) Canada and United Nations
52) National Energy Policy
53) Auto Pact
54) Free Trade Agreement
55) NAFTA
56) Canada and Foreign Aid
57) Funding of Military
58) Head Tax
59) Women's Movement
60) Immigration since 1945
61) Residential Schools
62) Canada and Space
63) Sponsorship Scandal
64) Canada and Globalization
65) Ipperwash Inquiry
66) Kyoto Accord
67) Legalization of Same Sex Marriage
68) Avro Arrow
69) NATO
70) NORAD
71) Bomarc Missiles
72) Canada and D-Day (Juno Beach)
73) Conscription
74) War Measures Act
75) Halifax Explosion
76) Merchant Marine & Convoy System
77) Battle of Atlantic: Royal Canadian
Navy
78) Liberation of Netherlands
79) Canada and peacekeeping
80) Canada’s Role in Gulf War
GRADE 10 DEFINING MOMENT ESSAY
Rationale
The purpose of the essay is to write a five paragraph analytical and argumentative essay
based on your thesis. It is important that you demonstrate your understanding of a
defining moment in Canadian history.
Notes on the Format of the Essay
Your research paper is to be written in a formal, academic style. The third person
narrative is the only acceptable style. Your essay must be written in proper English.
Spelling, grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, language and paragraphing errors
will be strongly censured.
Your essay must be written in your own words. Information must not be simply 'lifted' or
copied from your sources. Summarize and paraphrase the ideas and identify the sources
even if you have modified the wording. Give the sources of quotations.
PLEASE BE FOREWARNED THAT PLAGIARISM (COPYING DIRECTLY
FROM A SOURCE) WILL RESULT IN A MARK OF ZERO
CHECKLIST
Essay will be approximately 1200 words in length (4-6 Pages)
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Essay must be typewritten, using standard-sized paper, 12 point font, Times New
Roman, double-spaced, with 2.5 cm border top, bottom and sides, with numbered pages
(footers)
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Essay must have a cover page with ONLY the following: title of essay; student
name; teacher’s name; date (no images or pictures!!!)
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Essay must have a minimum of THREE footnotes (1+ per argument)
Essay must have a finalized bibliography on a separate page (with all sources used
from steps 1-5) in proper MLA format / sources listed in alpha order by author’s last
name
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Essay Step 5 (final copy) WILL NOT be accepted without the process steps 1-4
Steps:
1. STEP 1: Topic selection sheet and bibliography
Due: April 14th
(Knowledge - 10 marks)
2. STEP 2: Note-making and research and bibliography
Due: April 29
(Application - 10 marks)
3. STEP 3: Thesis formation; Bibliography
Due: May 6
(Thinking - 10 marks)
4. STEP 4: Essay outline
Due: May 19
(Thinking – 20 marks)
6. STEP 5: Final essay (title page, essay, footnotes, bibliography) (Communication - 30
marks)
Due: June 1
TOTAL = 80
marks