Writing a Thematic Essay

1. Writing a Thematic Essay Global History

2. Scoring of a Thematic Essay http://www.mysocialstudiesteacher.com/wiki/index.php?title=Thematic_Essay_Generic_Scoring_Rubric

3. Introduction • Communicate what it is that the essay will show or prove • The Thematic essay generic scoring rubric states that to earn a five, the essay, “Introduces the theme or problem by establishing a framework that is beyond a simple restatement of the Theme and concludes with a summation of the theme or problem.”

4. The DRL Writing Formula : D • Define the main idea or topic Historical Context or Theme Example Culture and Intellectual Life Culture is the way of life of a society or group of people.

5. The DRL Writing Formula : R • ReWrite the historical context or theme given in your own words. You may use the WRS (Word Replacement Strategy)below to ReWrite your theme. WRS (Word Replacement Strategy) How to re-write an introduction from the theme or historical context • Read the theme or historical context • Circle the important words. • Think of replacements for the most of the important words and phrases. (Multiple replacements may be necessary) • Paraphrase (put into your own words) the theme or historical context using the replacement words.

7. The DRL Writing Formula : L • List - List the topics and/or items you will discuss in your body paragraphs. Example Two of the most important intellectuals that have affected society have been Michiavelli and Marx.

8. The DRL Writing Formula Example Culture is a way of life of society or people. All over the world, thinkers, dreamers, and the people in power use words such as books to move and shape their culture within their state in order to affect the advancement of their society. Two of the most important intellectuals that have affected society have been Machiavelli and Karl Marx.

9. Thesis Statement • Every paper you write should have a main point, a main idea, or central message. The argument(s) you make in your paper should reflect this main idea. The sentence that captures your position on this main idea is what we call a thesis statement. • single sentence that ties together the main idea of any argument • tells the reader how you will interpret the significance of the subject matter under discussion. • is a road map for the paper; in other words, it tells the reader what to expect from the rest of the paper. • directly answers the question asked of you. A thesis is an interpretation of a question or subject, not the subject itself. The subject, or topic, of an essay might be World War II or Moby Dick; a thesis must then offer a way to understand the war or the novel. • makes a claim that others might dispute.

10. Example Thesis • There are serious objections to today's horror movies. • Modern cinematic techniques have allowed filmmakers to get more graphic, horror flicks have desensitized young American viewers to violence.

11. Example Thesis The North and South fought the Civil War for many reasons, some of which were the same and some different. • This weak thesis restates the question without providing any additional information. It does not tell the reader where you are heading. While both Northerners and Southerners believed they fought against tyranny and oppression, Northerners focused on the oppression of slaves while Southerners defended their own right to self-government. • This final thesis presents a way of interpreting evidence and gives a clear direction for the paper.

12. The Body Paragraphs • The body paragraphs need to thoroughly address all elements of the task by: demonstrating an understanding of the theme; incorporating relevant facts, examples, and details; and presenting everything in an organized manner.

13. Task: Task: • Choose two (2) philosophers or leaders and for each; • Describe the society or culture that was affected and; • Explain the change that occurred either positively or negatively

15. Adding Detail One strategy to use is P.E.R.S.I.A. P = Political aspects of the topic (government, laws, military, type of government) E = Economic aspects of the topic (trade, trade routes, economic system (capitalism, mercantilism, communism, etc), barter, etc) R = Religion also known as Belief Systems (Hinduism, Taoism, Confucianism, Buddhism, Islam, Judaism, Christianity, Animism, Sikhism) S = Social aspects of history (social class, culture, traditions, etc.) I = Intellectual aspects of history (science, art, architecture, math, technology, philosophy, literature) A = Area/Geography (location,

16. Analyze • The difference between a scoring a four (4) and scoring a five (5) is that the student must deeply analyze the theme. This is accomplished by using one of the following techniques: This is accomplished by using one of the following techniques: • Compare and Contrast • Positives and Negatives • Cause and Effect

17. Write a closing sentence that relates the importance to world history and/or people as it relates to the theme. • TIP: The conclusion should start narrow and end broad (relate to world today, or people, or civilization as a whole)