• A report DESCRIBES a topic
• A thesis-driven essay makes an
ARGUMENT about a topic
• Report Topic: The Treaty of Versailles was a peace treaty that
was signed at the end of World War I, declaring peace
between Germany and the Allied Powers.
• Thesis Statement: The Treaty of Versailles was ineffective in
establishing lasting peace after WWI, because it was used as a
tool to penalize Germany rather than as a tool to ensure
peace.
• Report Topic: Abraham Lincoln was the President who issued the
Emancipation Proclamation.
• Thesis: When issuing the Emancipation Proclamation, Abraham
Lincoln was motivated more by a political desire to save the
Union than by a moral desire to establish freedom for all
people.
• Sum up the main argument for your entire paper. Your thesis
should state the one main idea discussed in your paper.
• Take a stand. Form an opinion and state it clearly. Do not be
wishy-washy.
• Choose a topic that’s worth discussing. Your main argument
should make a claim that other might disagree with.
• Make your statement specific.
• Be sure you have approached your evidence fairly, without
bias. Avoid emotionally charged language when stating your
thesis.
• A healthy diet is important.
• People should include eight servings of fruits
and vegetables in their diet everyday.
• Bananas are one of the most nutritious foods
on earth.
• A healthy diet is important because it
increases energy, prevents illness and
promotes well-being.
• It is outrageous for students to be forced to wear school
uniforms.
• Students who are forced to wear school uniforms have their
creativity stifled.
• School uniforms should not be mandatory in public schools
because it would stifle students’ creativity, take away students’
rights, and cause students to lose interest in school
• When kids grow up, they will have bad memories of school if
they have to wear uniforms.
• The North and South fought the Civil War for many reasons,
some of which were the same and some different.
• While both sides fought the Civil War over the issue of slavery,
the North fought for moral reasons while the South fought to
preserve its own institutions.
• While both Northerners and Southerners believed they fought
against tyranny and oppression, Northerners focused on the
oppression of slaves while Southerners defended their own right
to self-government.
• ALWAYS keep your thesis in mind. As you write,
ask yourself, “Does this help prove my thesis?”
• Provide only the facts that you need to prove
your point. Do not spend too much time
summarizing. Stay focused on your analysis.
• When you finish your paper, ask yourself,
“Have I proved my thesis?”
• The simplest kind of thesis is the three-part thesis
• Examples of three-part thesis statements for the history project
• Benjamin Franklin was successful, because he was intelligent, creative, and
persistent.
• The Harlem Renaissance gave African Americans an opportunity to
express themselves through art, music, and theater.
• The first part of the thesis makes a claim:
• Benjamin Franklin was successful
• The Harlem Renaissance gave African Americans a chance to express
themselves
• The second part of the thesis supports the claim. It answers a
why or how question
• Why was Benjamin Franklin successful? Because he was intelligent,
creative, and persistent
• How did the Harlem Renaissance give African Americans a chance to
express themselves? Through art, music, and theater
• The rest of the paper proves the thesis. The Ben Franklin paper
would provide examples of Franklin’s intelligence, creativity,
and persistence
Formula for a Three-Part Thesis (Person Study)
There are a few basic patterns to make writing a thesis a piece of
cake. Choose the pattern that’s best for your topic.
1) Famous Person became a type of career/success because he
was trait, trait, and trait.
a.
b.
Colin Powell became an inspiring leader because he is brave, intelligent,
and ambitious.
Sandy Koufax was a remarkable sports hero because of his work ethic,
amazing athletic ability, and teamwork.
2) Because of his/her character trait, Famous Person was able to
overcome obstacle 1, obstacle 2, and obstacle 3 on the way to
becoming type of career/success.
a)
Because of his determination, Martin Luther King Jr. was able to
overcome educational barriers, prejudice, and violence to become a
political leader who changed the United States.
3) Event was historically significant because it impact 1, impact 2,
and impact 3.
a) Pearl Harbor was historically significant because it destroyed much of
the United States’ Pacific fleet, it showed that the U.S. could be affected
by World War II, and it caused the U.S. to enter into World War II.
4) Event provided a change from the past, as can be seen through
example 1, example 2, and example 3.
a) The Harlem Renaissance provided an opportunity for African Americans to
express themselves, as can be seen through the time period’s art, music, and
theater.