Writing APUSH Thesis Statements What is a Thesis

  • Slides: 34
Download presentation
Writing APUSH Thesis Statements

Writing APUSH Thesis Statements

What is a Thesis • A thesis statement is where you take a stand

What is a Thesis • A thesis statement is where you take a stand on the question where you will either agree, disagree or modify a historic claim. • You answer the question!

What is NOT a Thesis • Its not a fact; it an informed interpretation

What is NOT a Thesis • Its not a fact; it an informed interpretation of the historic facts. • Its also, not just your opinion. It is a reasoned judgement of yours on the historic evidence.

Writing your Thesis • Many students will panic about the time crunch and want

Writing your Thesis • Many students will panic about the time crunch and want to read the question quickly so they can quickly move on to writing. • However, APUSH essay prompts are challenging. They ask students to perform specific writing tasks. The questions also contain qualifiers that guide and restrict your answer.

Writing your Thesis • Rather than taking 10 seconds to read the question, you

Writing your Thesis • Rather than taking 10 seconds to read the question, you would be better off spending 45 seconds reading, re-reading, marking, and analyzing. Remember, a mistake in understanding a question could make the rest of your effort almost worthless.

Break it down like so: Circle the task at hand (analyze, assess, compare, etc.

Break it down like so: Circle the task at hand (analyze, assess, compare, etc. ) Underline the historical subject/content Box out the time period given, or assign one

Break it down like so: Circle the task at hand (analyze, assess, compare, etc.

Break it down like so: Circle the task at hand (analyze, assess, compare, etc. ) Underline the historical subject/content Box out the time period given, or assign one • Next, brainstorm (in whatever way makes sense to you) the information needed to answer the prompt in full. • Write a thesis statement that demonstrates an argument and the topics to come. • Double check that your thesis answers all parts of the prompt as you diagrammed it before you begin writing.

Prompt • Many historians argue that the South never had a chance to win

Prompt • Many historians argue that the South never had a chance to win the Civil War. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement, and why?

Prompt • Many historians argue that the South never had a chance to win

Prompt • Many historians argue that the South never had a chance to win the Civil War. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement, and why? • What EXACTLY are you being asked?

Prompt • The South never had a chance to win the Civil War. To

Prompt • The South never had a chance to win the Civil War. To what extent and why do you agree or disagree with this statement? • What EXACTLY are you being asked?

Prompt • Discuss the political, economic and social reforms introduced in the South between

Prompt • Discuss the political, economic and social reforms introduced in the South between 1865 and 1877. To what extent did these reforms survive the Compromise of 1877? • What EXACTLY are you being asked?

Prompt • Discuss the political, economic and social reforms introduced in the South between

Prompt • Discuss the political, economic and social reforms introduced in the South between 1865 and 1877. To what extent did these reforms survive the Compromise of 1877?

Writing your Thesis • These essays will allow for a range of possible answers.

Writing your Thesis • These essays will allow for a range of possible answers. There is not a secret answer! So make your argument – just back it up!!!

Writing your Thesis • Avoid absolutes. • All / none of the political, economic

Writing your Thesis • Avoid absolutes. • All / none of the political, economic and social reforms introduced…

Prompt • Many historians claim the Louisiana Purchase as one of Jefferson’s biggest accomplishments

Prompt • Many historians claim the Louisiana Purchase as one of Jefferson’s biggest accomplishments in spite of his opposition to a powerful federal government. Support, modify or refute that contention.

Writing your Thesis • Make it interesting: • Set the stage… Early 19 th

Writing your Thesis • Make it interesting: • Set the stage… Early 19 th century America was a place of discovery…

Prompt • Many historians argue that the election of Abraham Lincoln was the biggest

Prompt • Many historians argue that the election of Abraham Lincoln was the biggest factor for southern secession. Support, modify or refute that contention using specific historic evidence.

Writing your Thesis • Make it interesting: • Set the stage… The Civil War

Writing your Thesis • Make it interesting: • Set the stage… The Civil War impacted the lives of nearly everyone on both sides of the conflict…

Writing your Thesis • Take a stand on the question where you will either

Writing your Thesis • Take a stand on the question where you will either agree, disagree or modify a historic claim. • Then, give me a Roadmap & you’re on your way…

Practice Prompt • To what extent did Andrew Jackson’s presidential policies reveal him to

Practice Prompt • To what extent did Andrew Jackson’s presidential policies reveal him to be a man of the people?

To what extent did Andrew Jackson’s presidential policies reveal him to be a man

To what extent did Andrew Jackson’s presidential policies reveal him to be a man of the people? Andrew Jackson was a great president. Will this thesis work?

To what extent did Andrew Jackson’s presidential policies reveal him to be a man

To what extent did Andrew Jackson’s presidential policies reveal him to be a man of the people? Andrew Jackson's handling of the bank question proved him to be a man of the people. Will this thesis work?

To what extent did Andrew Jackson’s presidential policies reveal him to be a man

To what extent did Andrew Jackson’s presidential policies reveal him to be a man of the people? Some of Jackson’s policies made him a man of the people, but some did not. Will this thesis work?

To what extent did Andrew Jackson’s presidential policies reveal him to be a man

To what extent did Andrew Jackson’s presidential policies reveal him to be a man of the people? Because he addressed key concerns of the people, Andrew Jackson's policies on the bank & Indian removal proved him to be a man of the people. Will this thesis work?

 • The Nerds want to see a well-developed thesis that goes beyond simply

• The Nerds want to see a well-developed thesis that goes beyond simply stating facts or basic opinions about the question. The thesis should help the reader understand why the position is held.

Practice Prompt • Many historians claim that America perceived Manifest Destiny as a positive

Practice Prompt • Many historians claim that America perceived Manifest Destiny as a positive movement, it was in fact an aggressive imperialism pursued at the expense of others. Support, modify or refute that statement using specific historic evidence.

Many historians claim that America perceived Manifest Destiny as a positive movement, it was

Many historians claim that America perceived Manifest Destiny as a positive movement, it was in fact an aggressive imperialism pursued at the expense of others. Support, modify or refute that statement using specific historic evidence. • Manifest Destiny was the expansion of American superiority over the continent and affected many.

Weak Thesis • Manifest Destiny was the expansion of American superiority over the continent

Weak Thesis • Manifest Destiny was the expansion of American superiority over the continent and affected many.

Many historians claim that America perceived Manifest Destiny as a positive movement, it was

Many historians claim that America perceived Manifest Destiny as a positive movement, it was in fact an aggressive imperialism pursued at the expense of others. Support, modify or refute that statement using specific historic evidence. – Because it was widely accepted that it was America’s destiny, even duty to go west, many accepted aggressive foreign policy as a means of fulfilling that duty. – Westward expansion during this era only deepened the debate between North and South: Would there be slavery in the new territories?

O. K. Thesis – Because it was widely accepted that it was America’s destiny,

O. K. Thesis – Because it was widely accepted that it was America’s destiny, even duty to go west, many accepted aggressive foreign policy as a means of fulfilling that duty. – Westward expansion during this era only deepened the debate between North and South: Would there be slavery in the new territories?

Many historians claim that America perceived Manifest Destiny as a positive movement, it was

Many historians claim that America perceived Manifest Destiny as a positive movement, it was in fact an aggressive imperialism pursued at the expense of others. Support, modify or refute that statement using specific historic evidence. • Manifest Destiny was indeed aggressive in nature, however this position for expansion was a necessary sentiment for congressmen and citizens alike, seeking territorial, financial, and social gain.

Simple yet Strong • Manifest Destiny was indeed aggressive in nature, however this position

Simple yet Strong • Manifest Destiny was indeed aggressive in nature, however this position for expansion was a necessary sentiment for congressmen and citizens alike, seeking territorial, financial, and social gain.

Simple yet Strong • Because it resulted in a brutal Mexican War in which

Simple yet Strong • Because it resulted in a brutal Mexican War in which many people lost their lives, the philosophy of Manifest Destiny was indeed an aggressive and selfish phenomenon of the 1840 s.

Want a formula? Although………, However……………, Because…………. ,

Want a formula? Although………, However……………, Because…………. ,