HOW TO WRITE A HISTORY ESSAY*

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HOW TO WRITE A HISTORY ESSAY

• WITHOUT GOING CRAZY

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FIRST STEP THE RESEARCH

• YOUR RESEARCH MUST INCLUDE AT LEAST ONE BOOK
• ALL THE SOURCES YOU CONSULTED MUST APPEAR IN
  YOUR BIBLIOGRAPHY
• YOUR BIBLIOGRAPHY MUST HAVE A MINIMUM OF FIVE
  SOURCES
• THE MORE VARIETY YOU HAVE THE BETTER YOUR
  THINKING/INQUIRY MARK WILL BE

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Introduction
Thesis Statements

• After you have brainstormed and you have some
  main
• ideas of what you would like to write in your
  essay, you can
• begin thinking about writing a thesis statement.

Whats a thesis statement????
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Definition
Thesis Statement

• A thesis statement is a complete sentence
• that contains one main idea. This idea controls
• the content of the entire essay. A thesis
• statement that contains sub-arguments also helps
  a
• reader know how the essay will be organized.
• Look at the introductory paragraph below. See
• if you can identify the thesis statement and
• sub-arguments.

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Definition
Thesis Statement(Informal Essay)
When I was young, I always knew that I
wanted to become a teacher someday. When I
played, I would often gather my dolls together
and pretend to teach them how to draw or how to
read a book. As I grew older, my desire to
become a history teacher became clearer as I did
some volunteer teaching overseas and in Canada.
As I look back on my reasons for becoming a
teacher, there are three reasons that stand out.
These consist of my love for history, my natural
interest in how people learn, and my desire to
help other people .
Sub-arguments in the thesis or nearby help the
reader know how the essay will be organized
The thesis statement contains the main idea that
controls the content of the essay.
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Thesis Statement
Another Example
Psychologists have argued for decades about
how a persons character is formed. Numerous
psychologists believe that ones birth order
(i.e. place in the family as the youngest,
oldest, or middle child) has the greatest
influence. Birth order can have a significant
impact in the formation of a childs character.
Birth order can strongly affect ones
relationship with parents, relationships with
others, and how one views responsibility as an
adult.
The thesis statement contains the main idea that
controls the content of the essay.
Sub-arguments in the thesis or nearby help the
reader know how the essay will be organized
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Key Features
Main Idea in a Complete Thesis
The sport of cross-country running allows
people to get in better shape and achieve goals
such as completing marathons.
Thesis Statement
Being a teacher is a great profession for those
who like to work with students and be creative.
Thesis Statement
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A Complete Thesis Sentence
Another Example
The problem of pollution in major cities can
be alleviated by limiting the number of cars
allowed to drive on city streets and creating
more efficient public transportation systems.
Thesis Statement
Marijuana should be legalized because it is not
any more addictive than tobacco and it can
provide numerous medicinal benefits for those
suffering from terminal illnesses.
Thesis Statement
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Key Features
Sub-arguments
The large influx of people to California has
had major effects on the state.
No sub-arguments are named in this thesis
statement.
The large influx of people to California has
had major effects on the ability of the state to
provide housing, electricity, and jobs for all
residents.
This statement names three sub-arguments.
Can you find all of the subtopics?
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Key Features
Dont State the Obvious

• In thesis statements, you should avoid using
• statements like, This essay will discuss or
• Im going to write about. Try to write a
• thesis statement that captures your readers
• attention without announcing your main topic
• and stating the obvious. Look at the examples
• below.

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Key Features
Dont State the Obvious
In this essay, I am going to discuss the
effects of long-term drug abuse.
Long-term drug use can have disastrous
effects on ones marriage, career, and health.
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NEXT THESIS ACTIVITY

• PLEASE REFERENCE YOUR ACTIVITY SHEET
• WHAT IS THE BEST THESIS?

1. My opinion is that Japanese Canadians were
   discriminated against and despised very much just
   because they looked different and mainly because
   they werent at the top of the preferred list.
2. Overall, Japanese Canadians were unjustly treated
   during WWII due to the enactment of the War
   Measures Act. This Act unfairly discriminated
   against the Japanese as it limited their freedoms
   and rights, created public resentment against
   them and destroyed many of their communities.
3. The internment of Japanese Canadians occurred
   between 1941-1949.
4. The implementation of the War Measures Act in
   WWII was unjust against Japanese Canadians
   because they lost all their property.

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The Introductory Paragraph
The Paragraph that Hooks Your Reader
Introduction ------------------------------
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An Introduction
A Closer Look
Lets look at the introduction and see how
the sentences become more and more specific
leading to the thesis statement.
There are a number of frightening disease
epidemics occurring in the the world today, but
one of the most frightening is the spread of
sexually transmitted diseases.
Among the most serious of these sexually
transmitted diseases is HIV which leads to AIDS,
a fatal disease.
General Statements
HIV is especially problematic among homeless
people.
More Specific
This particular population is difficult to treat
due to a number of barriers such as limited
access to health care, mistrust of
health care professionals, and a lack of
awareness of the disease, itself.
Very Specific Thesis Statement
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Example 2
A Closer Look
Look at the example below to see how the
sentences in the introduction become more and
more specific leading to the thesis statement.
Overpopulation and finding ways to reduce it
are big concerns of many developing nations
today. One nation that is concerned about this
issue is India.
General Statements
One of the biggest causes of overpopulation in
India is the high infant mortality
rate.
More Specific
Parents often have more children because they are
fearful that if some children die, there will
not be enough children to take care of
them in their old age.
India is taking some important steps in
dealing with this problem. Some of the
steps the Indian government is
taking are providing birth control for women,
improving pre-natal care, and
educating women on the benefits
of having fewer children.
Very Specific Thesis Statement
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AND THEN.
BODY PARAGRAPHS
DONT HAVE TO LIMIT TO THREE
EACH MUST HAVE A TOPIC SENTENCE
A TOPIC SENTENCE IS A MINI THESIS SO CANT BE A
FACT MUST BE AN ARGUMENT!
TRY TO INCLUDE A CONCLUDING SENTENCE
USE TRANSITION WORDS IN THE TOPIC AND CONCLUDING
SENTENCES
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Body Paragraphs
Purpose
The body paragraphs in your essay
support the main idea in your thesis statement
by breaking it down into smaller ideas or
subtopics. Ideas in your paragraphs should
relate back to the thesis statement.
Body Paragraph 3 _____________
Introduction Thesis Statement
Body Paragraph 4 _____________
Body Paragraph 1 _____________
Body Paragraph 2 _____________
Body Paragraph 5 _____________
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Concluding Sentence
Useful Expressions
It is sometimes helpful to have a concluding
expression in your last sentence to signal the
end of your paragraph. Some common expressions
used in concluding sentences are listed below.

• It is clear that,

• Finally,

• In summary,

• Consequently,

• As a result,

• These examples show that

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SUPPORT (QUOTED EVIDENCE)
YOU MUST USE QUOTED EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT YOUR
ARGUMENTS IN ORDER TO MAKE YOUR ESSAY CREDIBLE.
NOW PLEASE REFER TO YOUR ACTIVITY SHEET! (THANK
YOU)
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FORMAT FOR QUOTED EVIDENCE

• SAMPLE 1
• Furthermore, the Treaty of Versailles left
  Germans with feelings of resentment and
  anger towards the rest of Europe. Germany
  felt extremely angry that all the blame for
  WWI had been placed on its shoulders. The
  unwise thing about Versailles was that it
  annoyed the Germans yet did not render them
  too weak to retaliate. (How the
• Treaty) This was dangerous because it left
  Germany feeling like they had nothing to lose
  and everything to gain.

Introduce support point (P)
Use evidence to prove point(E)
Provide your own analysis/ explanation of
evidence (E)
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FORMAT FOR QUOTED EVIDENCE

• Sample 2
• Above all, the Treaty led to the rise of Adolf
  Hitler and the Nazi regime. As historian Peter
  Allen points out, the Treaty led to low morale
  and quality of life among the German population.
  (24) As Germans starved and lost their jobs, they
  were in desperate need of a hero. Hitlers power
  of persuasion and clever use of propaganda
  posters gave him a firm grip on German people.
  Nazi propaganda exploited the unhappiness caused
  by unemployment, grievances of Versailles and
  memories of inflation. (Webster 45) Hence, the
  Treaty of Versailles is a major cause of the
  support Hitler was able to gain for his party.

P
E
E
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HOW THE SOURCES WOULD APPEAR IN THE BIBLIOGRAPHY

• Allen, Peter. Witness History Series The Origins
  of World War II. Boston Wayland Limited, 1991.
• "How the Treaty Caused the War." CBC Archives.
  2006. CBC. 22 Apr. 2008 ltwww.cbc.ca/treatyofversai
  llesgt.
• Webster, Dan. The Failure of the Treaty of
  Versailles. The Globe and Mail. 13 April 1950.
• USE EASYBIB.COM FOR FORMAT!

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NEXT Outline

• for potential employers to get to know the
  candidate better, so it is important that
  questions are answered honestly and completely.
• A. Ask interviewers to repeat difficult
  questions.
• B. Take some time to think about the
  questions.
• C. A notebook to write down key words in
  interview questions is sometimes helpful.
• IV. Body Paragraph 3
• Topic Sentence By preparing some thoughtful
  questions for the end of the interview, a
  candidate can show the panel that s/he is
  prepared for the interview and wants the job.
• A. Research the job and/or company before the
  interview.
• B. The interview is an opportunity to get to
  know the potential employer. Ask questions
  about company goals, mission, expectations of
  employees. C. Do not ask questions about
  benefits or salary during the interview. Get
  this information before you apply for the job.
• Conclusion Do not underestimate the importance
  of a good interview.

• Introduction- Thesis Statement A job interview
  can often make or break your chances of getting
  your dream job. There are several things that
  can be done in an interview to increase the
  possibility of success such as dressing properly,
  answering interview questions thoroughly, and
  asking good questions at the end of the
  interview.
• Body Paragraph 1
• Topic Sentence The way one dresses can have a
  big impact on an interview panels first
  impressions of you.
• A. Men and women should consider wearing dark
  suits.
• B. Conservative dress will show the interview
  panel the candidate is serious.
• C. Dont carry too many things into the
  interview. A notebook, pens, and/or laptop
  computer should be carried in a briefcase.
• D. Hair and nails should be clean and
  neat.
• III. Body Paragraph 2
• Topic Sentence An interview is an opportunity

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What should I include in my concluding paragraph?

• The first sentence of the concluding paragraph
  is a clear, specific re-statement of thesis.
• The conclusion should do more than simply
  re-state the argument.
• It also suggests why the argument is important
  in the bigger scheme of things, or suggests
  avenues for further research, or raises a bigger
  question.

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The Conclusion
Making Your Last Paragraph Count
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Example of a Concluding Paragraph
For instance, an essay on whether Hitler was a
genius could end with this Adolf Hitler
undoubtedly made some tactically genius moves
leading up to and in the beginning stages of
WWII. He manipulated many great leaders of the
world, convinced a whole nation to do his bidding
and support his unthinkable crimes and almost
took over all of Europe before the Allies were
ready to fight back. It is essential to analyse
how Hitler was able to do all of this. It
highlights the possibility that another dictator
could rise up and threaten world peace once
again. Historians must study and understand
Hitler in order to prevent another maniac from
rising to such a level of power.
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LASTLY TO AVOID THIS UNFORTUNATE EVENT, ENSURE
YOU HAVE THE FOLLOWING DETAILS IN ORDER
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THE TITLE PAGE SHOULD LOOK LIKE THIS?

• Never Again The Story of the Holocaust
• Interesting Title
• Your Name
• My Name
• Date

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FINALLY

• Bibliography
• Your paper should end with a bibliography, which
  is started on a new page, and labelled
  "Bibliography" at top. (The page of the
  bibliography generally is left un-numbered.) The
  bibliography includes all works consulted, not
  merely those works cited in your paper.
• Line spacing
• The text of your paper should be double-spaced.
• Typeface
• For the typeface, use a simple font, like Courier
  10, Roman, or Times. Clarity and ease of reading
  are the goals avoid fancy and difficult-to-read
  fonts.
• A note on page length
• If you lack room, simply allow the paper to
  exceed the length requirements rather than
  expanding margins, reducing typefaces, etc. On
  the other hand, if the paper is too short, avoid
  tricks like increasing the point size of the
  typeface, or increasing the margins.
• Page numbers
• The first page need not be numbered. On the
  following pages, page numbers are placed on the
  upper-right corner of the page.
• Computerized spelling and grammar checkers
• These are great, but do not rely on them too
  much. You are expected to edit and correct your
  paper yourself.
• Rough notes showing this process will be
  evaluated and included in your final mark.