Need help developing a thesis statement? Go to Purdue’s Online Writing Lab link below OR refer to our 10th grade World History example below.

Excerpt from 10th Grade World History Guided Inquiry Research Project

Research Question and Thesis Statement

 The Research Question:

• Poses a cause or condition that follows with an effect or result
• Has an effect or result that can be measured in some way
• Can be placed into a Hypothesis or Thesis Statement
• Is focused – not too broad (entire books been written on this) or too narrow (you can’t find information)

Example:  To what extent was Hannibal responsible for the ruin of Carthage?

Thesis statements

A thesis is the central argument that you will make about that topic. The thesis is the controlling idea of the essay; every sentence and paragraph in the essay must provide supporting statements and specific information to prove the thesis. The sooner you can state the thesis clearly and concisely, the more efficient and productive your thinking and note taking will be. Note how each thesis statement below contains a clearly focused argument.  A thesis may be proved affirmatively or negatively.  A thesis may be interpretive.

Sample Social Studies Thesis Statements

Cause and Effect:
1. The failure of levies caused war between Mesopotamian city states
2. Marc Antony’s irresponsible lifestyle led to the collapse of the second triumvirate
5. The desire of Patricians to gain and wield power resulted in the Fall of Rome

Solutions:
1. The Peloponnesian War was the solution to the Greeks quest for unity.
2. The uniting of the two Kingdoms resolved civil war in Egypt

Problems:
1. The problems of absolute political power of the Zhou kings contributed to their decline
2. The unpredictable Indus river resulted in the decline of Harappa

Comparisons:
1. Emperor Augustus was a more effective leader than the Senate.
2.  Hammurabi’s Code was more practicable than Rome’s Twelve Tables

Similarities:
1. The causes of the Fall of Rome and Egypt are similar

Differences:
1. Plato and Aristotle differed greatly in their views on democracy

Relationships:
1. It is evident that Caesars life of wealth influenced his political philosophy and policies as ruler
FORMULATING YOUR RESEARCH QUESTION AND YOUR THESIS STATEMENT:

My Question is: _________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Brainstorm your thesis, possible evidence and supporting ideas below.

Thesis

______________________________________________________________________________

Three supporting ideas to prove your thesis:

 1.____________________________________________________________________________

2.____________________________________________________________________________

3.____________________________________________________________________________

Possible evidence to support your supporting ideas:

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________