A good thesis statement

1. A good thesis statement • Has a narrow and specific focus • Takes a standby making an assertion which will be backed up by evidence • Is supported by evidence • Expresses one main idea • Tells the viewer why the subject is historically significant, its larger meaning, and indicates change over time • Is presented as a statement, not a topic or question in one or two sentences • HAS 4 PARTS (Subject, Verb, Argument, Evidence)

2. In other words… What’s your point?

3. 2012 National History Day theme “Revolution, Reaction, Reform” Integrate the theme into the analysis presented in your project: What was your revolution about? Why was the reaction important? Why? What was reformed as a result of your revolution?

4. Let’s help this group of students from Milwaukee strengthen their thesis statement.* *Adapted from the National History Day Research Handbook

5. What’s wrong with this thesis?“Immigration to Milwaukee” Reminder: Elements of a good HF thesis… • Narrow and specific topic focus • Takes a stand (what’s your point?) • Can be back up by evidence • Clear & specific—one main idea • Historically significant – change, impact, larger story….(so what factor) • Statement, not a question or topic --(one sentence) • HAS 4 PARTS (Subject, Verb, Argument, Evidence)

6. “Lizzie Black Kander and Jewish Immigration to Milwaukee from 1880-1920” • Reminder: Elements of a good HF thesis… • Narrow and specific topic focus • Takes a stand (what’s your point?) • Can be back up by evidence • Clear & specific—one main idea • Historically significant – change, impact, larger story….(so what factor) • Statement, not a question or topic --(one sentence) • HAS 4 PARTS (Subject, Verb, Argument, Evidence)

7. “Lizzie Black Kander used her cooking classes and The Settlement Cookbook to teach Milwaukee’s Jewish immigrants about American culture.” • Reminder: Elements of a good HF thesis… • Narrow and specific topic focus • Takes a stand (what’s your point?) • Can be back up by evidence • Clear & specific—one main idea • Historically significant – change, impact, larger story….(so what factor) • Statement, not a question or topic --(one sentence) • HAS 4 PARTS (Subject, Verb, Argument, Evidence)

8. “Although some Americans reacted negatively to immigration and doubted whether Jewish immigrants could ever become American, Lizzie Black used her cooking classes and The Settlement Cookbook to reform Milwaukee’s perception of immigrants by helping them assimilate and avoid discrimination.” • Reminder: Elements of a good HF thesis… • Narrow and specific topic focus • Takes a stand (what’s your point?) • Can be back up by evidence • Clear & specific—one main idea • Historically significant – change, impact, larger story….(so what factor) • Statement, not a question or topic --(one sentence) • HAS 4 PARTS (Subject, Verb, Argument, Evidence)

9. Remember, a thesis has 4 main parts: Subject + Verb + Argument + Evidence = Thesis “Although some Americans reacted negatively to immigration and doubted whether Jewish immigrants could every become American, Lizzie Black used her cooking classes and The Settlement Cookbook to reform Milwaukee’s perception of immigrants by helping them assimilate and avoid discrimination.” Subject = Lizzie Black Verb = used Argument = reformed Milwaukee’s perception of immigrants by helping them assimilate and avoid discriminations Evidence = her cooking classes and The Settlement Cookbook

10. Check these theses!Remember, a thesis has 4 main parts:Subject + Verb + Argument + Evidence = Thesis • Pesticides kill thousands of farm workers and must be stopped. • How did The Jungle make an impact on the foods we eat? • The Juvenile Court system was established to remove children from the adult criminal justice system and help them reform, but over the years it became a source of punishment and imprisonment. • Although after the 1919 Chicago Race Riot a commission tried to reform how the city dealt with racial tension, segregation actually became more accepted and more violent. 5) Richard J. Daley died in 1976.

11. Remember, a thesis has 4 main parts: Subject + Verb + Argument + Evidence = Thesis When Martin Luther King Jr. came to Chicago in 1966 to build a revolution against housing discrimination, Chicago area residents reacted violently to his presence, which ultimately caused King Jr.’s reform efforts to fail. Subject = Chicago area residents Verb = reacted Argument = Chicago area residents caused Martin Luther King Jr. to fail Evidence = resident’s violent actions