THESIS SAMPLESBy T. Harris

8th Grade Social Studies

SIOP

Today, I will learn how to compose a thesis statement.

My job is to write a thesis statement for my History Day project.

NC HISTORY DAY PROJECT

Due dates:Thesis due Jan 11th

Rough draft paper due Jan 28th

2nd draft due Feb 8th and rough draft of your project (poster/website/video/etc.)

Due Feb 28th

TOPICS:

First, pick a pick that you are interested in researching.

Second, make sure you create a timeline of due dates. Watch your time management!

Use a checklist and mark items off as you complete them. Keep a journal.

Edit your project per teacher instructions or suggestions.

COMPOSING A THESIS

Identify the 5 W’s (Be specific when answering each question.) Who (name the people, group, participants, etc) What (classify it as local, state, national or world) When (provide month – day - year or a specific

time range/period) Where (location or general area affected by the

event) Why (how did the event or invention impact

others?)

SAMPLE THESIS

On December 17, 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright accomplished the first powered flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Even though it lasted only 12-seconds, it was the foundation for the development of aviation as we know it today.

SAMPLE THESIS (5 W’S)

On December 17, 1903 (WHEN), Orville and Wilbur Wright (WHO) accomplished the first powered flight (WHAT) at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina (WHERE). Even though it lasted only 12-seconds, it was the foundation for the development of aviation (WHY) as we know it today.

TURNING POINT

The dictionary defines “turning point” as a point at which a decisive change takes place.

See your handouts for a listwww.nchistoryday.org

DECISIVE CHANGE:

This change could be social or cultural, affecting a society’s way of thinking or way of acting.

Example: Ms Magazine and the growth of the Feminist Movement. In the 1960s, the title "Ms." came to be identified with the feminist movement. Women sought to find a title that didn't refer to their marital status, equivalent to "Mr." for men. So, when Gloria Steinem and a few others decided to found a feminist magazine, they name it Ms. to reflect this connection. http://gender.stanford.edu/msat40

DECISIVE CHANGE:

It could be political, leading to new legislation or to a new government taking charge.

EXAMPLE: In the early 1950's, racial segregation in public

schools was the norm across America. Although all the schools in a given district were supposed to be equal, most black schools were far inferior to their white counterparts.

BACKGROUND:

Black children were denied admission to public schools attended by white children under laws requiring or permitting segregation according to the races. Racial segregation in public education has a detrimental effect on minority children because it is interpreted as a sign of inferiority. Separate but equal is inherently unequal in the context of public education.

BACKGROUND: In Topeka, Kansas, a black third-grader

named Linda Brown had to walk one mile through a railroad switchyard to get to her black elementary school, even though a white elementary school was only seven blocks away. Linda's father, Oliver Brown, tried to enroll her in the white elementary school, but the principal of the school refused. Brown went to McKinley Burnett, the head of Topeka's branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and asked for help. The NAACP was eager to assist the Browns, as it had long wanted to challenge segregation in public schools.

OUTCOME:

Example: With Brown's complaint, it had "the right plaintiff at the right time." [4] Other black parents joined Brown, and, in 1951, the NAACP requested an injunction that would forbid the segregation of Topeka's public schools.

Argued December 9, 1952 Reargued December 8, 1953 Decided May 17, 1954

Public schools become desegregated.

GUIDED PRACTICE:

WHO WHAT WHEN WHERE WHY

HOW WOULD YOU WRITE ONE ABOUT THE CASE WE JUST DISCUSSED?

DECISIVE CHANGE:

It could be economic, affecting how goods are produced, bought and sold, or how much or how little a society has to spend on such items.

Example: Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press with replaceable/moveable wooden or metal letters in 1436 (completed by 1440). This method of printing can be credited not only for a revolution in the production of books, but also for fostering rapid development in the sciences, arts and religion through the transmission of texts. (Where: Mainz, Germany)

PRACTICE WRITING A THESIS

WHO WHAT WHEN WHERE WHY

TIME MANAGEMENT

Take 3-5 minutes to write a thesis statement for your NC History Day project.

SHARE YOUR EXAMPLES

Students will share their thesis statements with their peers for editing.

FEEDBACK:

It is your responsibility to communicate with your parents about the project.

It is your responsibility to communicate with your partner or group about the project.

It is your responsibility to communicate with the teacher in advance if you are having any problems.

HOMEWORK

Do your current events. Turn in any and all makeup work. Revise or finish your thesis statement. Study for the unit test (Wednesday, Jan 16th).

Test is on the American Revolution:Causes (Acts/Taxation/Government) & Effects (Outcomes)

Key Players (ALL from the beginning of the nine weeks)

Major & Minor battles in North Carolina

REFERENCES:

www.nchistoryday.org http://gender.stanford.edu/msat40 http://www.watson.org/~lisa/blackhistory/

early-civilrights/brown.html http://www.nationalcenter.org/brown.html http://inventors.about.com/od/

gstartinventors/a/Gutenberg.htm

You need to create a works cited page for all websites that you use during your project.