Thematic Essay Practice Organization
1. Re write the task in your own words:
2. What does it want you to write?
A:
B:
3. How can you analyze your response?
4. What is your thesis statement?
5. Begin writing Now:
Thematic Essay suggestions
The following are general themes the Regents exam has historically asked. Notice
that the questions fall into general headings but can be asked in various ways. For this
reason some sample Thematic Essay questions have been provided beneath each general
theme so you caqn become familiar with the various ways a question can be worded.
Thematic Essay “ Themes”
Themes in US History
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Change (political , social, economic, environmental, or revolutions)
Citizenship and Civic Values
Constitutional Principles
Economic systems and factors of production
Foreign Policy
Geography
Immigration and Migration
Human Systems and Society
Reform Movements
Science and Technololgy
Individuals, Groups and Institutions, Culture, Diversity
Many different historical events can be used to cover various questions. Therefore, you
should become very knowledgeable in at least two major historical events that are
somewhat different in scope. You will be able to change the event’s focus to match the
appropriate question. For example, knowledge of the Imperialistic and the Expansionist
periods of history can be used to answer a theme under Culture, Diversity, Immigration
and Migration, Geography and Constitutional Principles. Another example: knowledge of
the Progressive Era or the Industrial Era can be used to answer themes about Science and
Technology, Immigration and Migration, Human Systems and Society, Reform
Movements, and Economic systems. See the example below:
Inventions
Theme: Science and Technology
Throughout history, changees in science and technology have had a great influence on
socity,. Development of the steam-powered machiner, the cotton gin, airplane, railroads
and electricity had a major impact on specific parts of the American economy, society
and environment.
Task: Identify two technological changes mentioned in the historical context and for
each
 Explain how the new technology changed the existing technology
 Discuss the impact of this technology on a specific society or the world
For the last ten tests the state exam has asked students to answer the following for the
thematic essay:
Thematic Essay (June 2004- January 2007)
 Geography
 Migration
 Change
 Individuals
 Cold War
 Reform Movements
 Foreign Policy
 Reform Movements
 Foreign Policy
 Geography
From the NYSED website on how to teach DBQs
A.
1)
2)
3)
4)
B.
How to write an introductory paragraph should include:
Thesis statement
Topics to be discussed
Background information
Any necessary definitions
Body Paragraphs
1) Provide evidence: details, specifics, examples, reasons
2) List facts: dates, events, numbers, persons, places
3) Address all elements of the question
4) Make transitions
5) Use varied sentence structure: simple, compound, complex
6) Analyze the information
C:
Conclusion
1) Restate Thesis
2) Summarize major points
According to Harold Bloom Analyzing Information is:
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seeing patterns
organization of parts
recognition of hidden meanings
identification of components
Question Cues:
analyze, separate, order, explain, connect, classify, arrange, divide, compare,
select, explain, infer
Examples of analyzing information would be:
1)
2)
Which events could have happened...?
I ... happened, what might the ending have been?
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How was this similar to...?
What was the underlying theme of...?
What do you see as other possible outcomes?
Why did ... changes occur?
Can you compare your ... with that presented in...?
Can you explain what must have happened when...?
How is ... similar to ...?
What are some of the problems of...?
Can you distinguish between...?
What were some of the motives behind...?
What was the turning point in the game?
What was the problem with...?
Document Based Questions and Essays
The DBQ will consist of two parts. In the first part, students will be required to
answer a key question on each document. This generally involves interpreting
the main idea or point of view expressed in the document. This section will be
"scaffolded" to the second part in which the student will write an essay using the
documents to respond to a specific question. In this second part, students are
asked to utilize all the sources, plus their understanding of history to respond to a
question. This second part will require them to move beyond simply quoting all
the documents. They will need to use the documents as evidence in support of a
thesis that responds to the assigned (part two) question. The student will be
required to use all documents and incorporate outside information. The student
will have no choice on the DBQ.
To receive full credit in a five point rubric the essay will need to:
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thoroughly address all aspects of the task by accurately interpreting the
documents plus incorporate outside information related to the documents.
discuss all aspects of the task and support with accurate facts, examples
and details.
weigh the importance, reliability and validity of the evidence.
analyze conflicting perspectives presented in the documents. Weave the
documents into the body of the essay.
include a strong introduction and conclusion.
Credit would be reduced if the response:
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did not recognize the reliability, validity, or perspectives of the documents.
reiterated the content of the documents with little or no use of outside
information.
discussed the documents in a descriptive rather than analytic manner.
showed little recognition of the tasks, lacked an introduction or conclusion.
The Essay Format
Write an introductory paragraph:
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provide definitions
give background
indicate topics to be discussed
develop thesis: what will you prove?
Body Paragraphs
Develop information citing supporting evidence from the documents and outside
historical knowledge:
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provide evidence: details, specifics, examples, reasons
list facts: dates, events, numbers, persons, places
address all elements of the question
make transitions
use a varied sentence structure: simple, compound, complex
Conclusion
 Restate thesis and summarize major points.
Double Check Yourself:
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What was my thesis statement?
Where is my analysis?
Did I respond to all parts of the Question?
Did I edit the essay? (grammar & punctuation)
Thematic and DBQ Essay Writing
Step 1:
Re word generalization into a thesis statement
Step 2:
Convert the question into a statement
Step 3:
Create an outline
Step 4:
Step 5:
In outline make sure to include
A.
Your Answer
B.
Examples (evidence)
C.
Explain how the evidence relates to your answer
D.
Analyze – make a judgment
Write the Essay
Step 6:
Edit or Revise (read over outline to make sure you included everything)
Common Problems with Thematic Essays:
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No thesis statement
No details with explanations
No Evidence
Fails to connect evidence or explanations to question
Conclusion fails to analyze the data
Good essay writing
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Check grammar, punctuation, and spelling
Includes a thesis statement
Includes transitions between paragraphs
Uses sequence words when providing evidence
Includes an introduction and a conclusion
Time line of Essay writing
1. Read Question
2. Talk to question, underline/circle text or brainstorm
3. Create an outline
4. Write essay
5. Edit/Revise
5 minutes
5 minutes
25 minutes
20 minutes
5 minutes