Writing Your Thesis n n n The thesis

Writing Your Thesis n n n The thesis is your opinion statement about the topic. In your thesis, you will restate the central question (How can the examination of the past inform us about our present lives and what our responsibility is toward one another? ) in your own words. Your thesis needs to present your opinion that you will defend in your essay.

Writing Your Thesis A formula to help you write your thesis: What you plan to argue (your Social/Historical Events, etc) + How you plan to argue it (your Themes & Ideas) = Thesis

Some Examples to Help You Not a Thesis: Fascism and scapegoating led to the Holocaust. Why is this NOT a good thesis?

Thesis (Opinion Statement) Hitler’s fascist regime and the scapegoating of the Jews led to dehumanization for some and a lack of social responsibility for others. Why is this a good thesis?

Outlining your Essay IN-CLASS ACTIVITY: Complete your Outline of Ideas and Notes for Evidence & Analysis #2 to support your Thesis Statement

Step One Using the questions provided in the first box, begin writing about the historical event or situation (from Column A) that you will use to support your thesis statement. • What is the historical event/situation you are discussing? What happened? • Why is this event important? • Who was involved? • What was the goal or cause of this event/situation?

Step Two Determine what evidence you will use to support these claims and your analysis. Select a quotation (Evidence) from a Historical Source that proves what you are saying is truth or fact or really happened. Be sure to select a quotation that is substantial in length and clearly states the 'facts' about what you are discussing and analyzing

Step Three Using the questions provided in box three, discuss theme (from Column C) that this Historical event/situation raises. • What ‘theme’ or concern about humanity does this event raise? • What is the significance of this event? [Note: When you begin drafting, these first three steps should be at least one paragraph]

Step Four Using the questions provided in the fourth box, discuss and examine the effect the Historical Event/Situation had on PEOPLE. . . be sure to mention a literary source (from Column B) that tells you this. • Make a connection to the effect this event or situation had on people…What happened? • How were people affected by this event or situation? • Discuss how you know this based on something you read or viewed that is literary.

Step Five Determine what evidence you will use to support this discussion that reveals the effect of the Historical Event/Situation on PEOPLE and their PERCEPTIONS. Select a quotation (Evidence) from a Literary Source that supports what you’re analysis. Be sure to select a quotation that is substantial in length and truly 'shows' you that this event had this effect. (BE SURE to go back to the work you have already

Step Six Finally, using the questions provided, expand your analysis in the sixth box. Use the questions provided to guide your writing, make a connection to your thesis, as well as to discuss responsibility. • How does this analysis prove, explain, or point out, why your thesis/argument is valid? • How does this social/historical event or situation and its affects inform your own sense of what our responsibility is toward one another? [Note: When you begin drafting, these last three steps should be at least one paragraph]

You will need to complete steps One-Six for Evidence & Analysis #2, #3 and #4 HOMEWORK DUE TOMORROW: Complete another Outline of Ideas and Notes for Evidence & Analysis #2 (repeat steps One. Six)