How to Write Thematic Essays

1. How to WriteThematic Essays Global Studies

2. Table of Contents… • What is a thematic? • Basic characteristics of a thematic with a model • List of possible themes • Defining the different themes • Organizer • Glossary of skill words • Steps to writing a thematic essay • Strategies for the thematic essay question • Examples of past thematic essays (belief systems & geography) • NY State Rubric

3. A thematic essay is a logical essay focusing on concepts and themes with an introduction, minimum of 3 body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Students need to make connections and move beyond answering the task Thematic essays are based on a 5 point scoring rubric What is Thematic Essay?

4. Characteristics • The thematic essay questions always consists of 3 parts: a theme, a task, and suggestions. Theme: Belief Systems Task: You may use any example from your study of global history and geography. Some suggestions you might wish to consider include: Judaism in the Middle East, Roman Catholicism in Latin America, Hinduism in India, Islam in Iran, Protestant Reformation and the Counter Reformation in Europe, animism in Africa, Shintoism in Japan, and Buddhism in Southeast Asia. You are not limited to these suggestions.

5. This part of the question identifies a broad social studies theme that will be the general topic of the essay. The theme is given more focus by a brief explanatory statement that follows the statement of the theme. EXAMPLES Belief Systems Change Individuals Leaders/philosophers Political events & revolutions Turning Points Conflict Economic Systems & Change Geography & the Environment Global Problems Justice and Human Rights Culture & Intellectual Life Movement of People & Goods (Cultural Diffusion) Science & Technology Nationalism Political Systems Urbanization Themes

6. Defining the Themes • Change – the basic alterations in things, events, & ideas. Throughout global history, major changes have had significant and lasting impacts on human development. (Neolithic Revolution) • Turning Points – times when decisive changes occur. Turning points often have political, social, and cultural impact. (Fall of Constantinople) • Belief Systems – the established, orderly ways in which groups or individuals look at religious faith or philosophical tenets. (Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism) • Geography & the Environment – has to do with the relationships among people, places, and environments. (Early River Civilizations) • Economic Systems – include traditional, command, market, and mixed systems. (Traditional, capitalism or market economy) • Political Systems – such as monopolies, dictatorships, and democracies, address certain basic questions of government such as what should a gov’t have the power to do? What should a gov’t not have the power to do? • Cultural & Intellectual – includes the patterns of human behavior that a society transmits to succeeding generations to meet its fundamental needs; • Diversity & Interdependence – involves understanding and respecting oneself and others, including differences in language, gender, socioeconomic class, religion, and other human characteristics and traits. (Byzantine Empire) • Justice and Human Rights – Justice is fair, equal, proportional, and appropriate treatment given to individuals. (Code of Hammurabi) • Conflict – has occurred throughout history, and its costs have sometimes been very high. The causes may be political, social, or economic. (religious conflicts, political revolutions) • Movement of People In Goods – cultural diffusion is the constant exchange of people, ideas, products, technology, and institutions from one region or civilization to another. • Science and Technology – the tools and methods used by people to get what they need and want. (Neolithic Revolution)

7. Task • The second part of a thematic question is the task. This section usually has 3 parts and presents the instruction you will need to write the essay. You will be asked to define or describe a theme, to give a specific # of examples, and then to evaluate the theme in some way. Typical forms of evaluation include describing causes or effects and evaluating positive or negative aspects.

8. Skill Words • Analyze - means “to determine the nature and relationship of the component elements” • Compare and contrast - means “to discuss similarities and differences” • Describe - means “to illustrate something in words or tell about it” • Discuss - means “to make observations about something using facts, reasoning, and argument; to present in some detail” • Evaluate - means “to examine and judge the significance, worth, or condition of; to determine the value of” • Explain - means “to make plain or understandable; to give reasons for or causes of; to show the logical development or relationships of”

9. Steps for Writing a Thematic Essay • Pre-Writing • Introduction • Body Paragraphs • Conclusion • www.regentsprep.org

10. Introduction • Effective Introductory Paragraph • Grabs the attention of the reader • Made up of at least 2 sentences • Includes a Thesis Statement • One sentence long • Informs the reader of what the essay is about • Requires the student takes a position • Last sentence of the introductory paragraph • Does NOT include “this essay is about”

11. Body Paragraphs (3) • Several Paragraphs that include: • Topic sentence for each paragraph • A lot of supporting evidence • Information that reinforces the thesis statement • Is specific in content (includes who, what, where, when, why, & how) • Runs smoothly and has continuity • A Transition sentence introducing each paragraph • Examples: First, second, third, in the same way, likewise, on the other hand, to sum it up, all in all

12. Closing • Last paragraph of the essay • At least 2 sentences long • Summarizes the main point of your essay • Is your last shot at impressing the reader

13. Strategies for the Thematic Essay Question • Read the entire question through first • After you have read the question, begin jotting down ideas you have • Begin organizer – does not need to be very detailed but needs KEY POINTS • Use suggestions to help you recall the importance of the theme • Develop your essay logically • DO NOT merely list facts • Make sure you provide examples to support your ideas • Make sure you’ve completed each of the items listed in the task section • Make sure your essay has a strong introduction and conclusion - you CANNOT get full credit if either of these elements is missing or weak

14. Example #1 • THEMATIC ESSAY QUESTION • Directions: Write a well-organized essay that includes an introduction, several paragraphs addressing the task below, and a conclusion. • Theme: Belief Systems • There are a variety of belief systems practiced throughout the world today. Many of these beliefs have developed massive followings, and as a result, have had a considerable amount of influence on culture in the areas where they are practiced • Task: • Choose two belief systems from your study of global history, and for each one: • Identify the nation or region where it was founded. • Describe two basic teachings of the belief system. • Discuss how the belief system has influenced the culture of the areas in which it is currently practiced • You may use any example from your study of global history. Do not use the United States in your answer. Some suggestions that you may wish to consider include: Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, Shinto, Animism, Confucianism, and Taoism

15. Example #2 • THEMATIC ESSAY QUESTION • Directions: Write a well-organized essay that includes an introduction, several paragraphs addressing the task below, and a conclusion. • Theme: Geography • Geographic features can positively or negatively affect the development of a nation or region. • Task: • Select one geographic feature from your study of global history. • Explain how this geographic feature has had an effect on the historical development of twonations or regions. • Be sure to include specific historical examples in your essay • You may use any geographic feature from your study of global history. Some suggestions you might wish to consider include: river valley, mountain, desert, island, rain forest, and climate. Do not use the United States in your answer. • You are not limited to these suggestions.

16. Rubric • Score of 5: • Shows a thorough understanding of the theme • Addresses all aspects of the task • Shows an ability to analyze, evaluate, compare, and/or contrast issues and events • Richly supports essay with relevant facts, examples, and details • Is a well-developed essay, consistently demonstrating a logical and clear plan of organization • Introduces the theme or problem by establishing a framework that is beyond a simple restatement of the task and concludes with a summation of the theme or problem • Score of 4: • Shows a good understanding of the theme • Addresses all aspects of the task • Shows an ability to analyze, evaluate, compare, and/or contrast issues and events • Includes relevant facts, examples, and details, but may not support  all aspects of the task evenly • Is a well-developed essay, demonstrating a logical and clear plan of organization • Introduces the theme or problem by establishing a framework that is beyond a simple restatement of the task and concludes with a summation of the theme or problem

17. Score of 3: • Shows a satisfactory understanding of the theme or problem • Addresses most aspects of the task or addresses all aspects in a limited way • Shows an ability to analyze or evaluate issues and events, but not in any depth • Includes some facts, examples, and details • Is a satisfactorily developed essay, demonstrating a general plan of organization • Introduces the theme or problem by repeating the task and concludes by repeating the theme or problem • Score of 2: • Shows limited understanding of the theme or problem • Attempts to address the task • Develops a faulty analysis or evaluation of issues and events • Includes few facts, examples, and details, and may include information that contains inaccuracies • Is a poorly organized essay lacking focus • Fails to introduce or summarize the theme or problem • Score of 1: • Shows limited understanding of the theme or problem  • Lacks an analysis or evaluation of the issues and events • Includes little or no accurate or relevant facts, examples, or details • Attempts to complete the task, but demonstrates a major weakness in organization  • Fails to introduce or summarize the theme or problem • Score of 0: Fails to address the theme, is illegible, or is a blank paper