Historical Thinking and Skills

Thesis

Content Statement #2

Historians develop theses and use evidence to support or refute positions.

Content Elaboration

Historians develop theses and use evidence to create explanations of past events. Rather than a simple list of events, a thesis provides a meaningful interpretation of the past by telling the reader the manner in which historical evidence is significant in some larger context.

The evidence used by historians may be generated from artifacts, documents, eyewitness accounts, historical sites, photographs, and other sources. Comparing and analyzing evidence from various sources enables historians to refine their explanations of past events.

Historians cite their sources and use the results of their research to support or refute assertions made by others.

Three Elements of a Thesis Statement
· Address a narrow topic	· Express an Opinion	· Evaluate historical significance
A thesis statement is not the same as topic sentence.
A thesis statement explains what you believe is the impact of your topic and why it is important.
A thesis statement expresses an opinion and makes an argument

Examples of a Thesis Statement

Using 5W Questions to Create a Thesis Statement
Who	What	Where	When	Why