DEVELOPING YOUR CLAIM

Also known as a thesis statement

What is a Thesis?

a central thought that holds your entire National History Day (NHD) project together

Thesis = Topic + Theme + Impact In other words, you are creating an argument

that expresses your topic’s significance and demonstrates how the theme plays a central part.

History Day judges are not just looking for book reports on topics.

They want to see that you have analyzed and interpreted the research you found.

In a History Fair project, the thesis takes a stand on a historical issue:

It may. . . explain why or how something happened express an interpretation related to the

annual NHD theme suggest the larger significance of

historical events or actions

Let’s Look at an Example:

Don’t: Martin Luther was born in 1483. He started the Reformation. This is just a fact, it does not make an argument.

Do: Martin Luther disagreed with aspects of Roman Catholic religious practices, especially the sale of indulgences, religious corruption, and the emphasis on salvation through good works. He took action by posting and distributing his 95 theses and left a lasting legacy by sparking a religious movement, creating a new sect of faith, and later motivating reform to the Roman Catholic Church.

And another. . .

Don’t: Indians fought over Alcatraz Island. Why do you think they would do that?This is a rhetorical statement. It poses a question. Your thesis statement should be what you think based on your research.

Do: In protest over political and social discrimination, thousands of American Indians refused to compromise with government officials and reclaimed Alcatraz Island in 1969 as Indian land. Though many of the group’s aims were not met their actions succeeded in spreading awareness and sparking the modern American Indian Movement, a legacy that inspires pride and action still today.

And one last one. . .

Don’t: Jackie Robinson was a really important black baseball player. Ok, here you are starting to make an argument. But you need to keep going. Why? How?

Do: Jackie Robinson played baseball at a time when teams were segregated, black from white. With the assistance of team manager Branch Rickey, Robinson took action, desegregating Major League Baseball as the first black ball player with the Brooklyn Dodgers. He left a legacy opening professional sports to African American athletes.

The thesis is the lighthouse guiding the entire project.

It helps you make decisions about what to include, and what to exclude, in your final project.

If that photo, quote, or other primary source doesn’t connect to your thesis in some way, then it doesn’t belong in the final project.

A good thesis statement:

• Takes a stand by making a point which will be backed up by evidence

• Has a narrow and specific focus

• Expresses one main idea

• Tells the viewer why the subject is historically significant, and often suggests change over time

• Is presented as a statement, not a topic or question

• Is historical, not a statement about current events

One Last Thing. . .

Theme game show video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_LFlHp-61I&edufilter=u00dqvAfj8AQ5AUwfrPehw

The union victory at Gettysburg in July of 1863 was a critical turning point in the Civil War. Lee’s decision to invade the north was a gamble that cost his army dearly in lives and equipment. After Gettysburg, the confederates began a slow retreat that ended with Lee’s surrender in the spring of 1865.

And the winner is. . .

The union victory at Gettysburg in July of 1863 was a critical turning point in the Civil War. Lee’s decision to invade the north was a gamble that cost his army dearly in lives and equipment. After Gettysburg, the confederates began a slow retreat that ended with Lee’s surrender in the spring of 1865.

This thesis has all three important factors:

It presents key facts. It connects with the

theme. It does a great job of

addressing the why? (Why Gettysburg was a crucial turning point in the Civil War.)

Notice what this thesis statement, or claim, IS NOT:

It is not one sentence. It does not simply state your topic and

the theme.