What is a "thesis statement"?
Your thesis statement is the foundation of your project. It will guide all the work that you will do on your project.
Basically, a thesis is an argument... YOUR ARGUMENT! It presents a point that YOU want to prove about your topic. It shows YOUR opinion or beliefs about a particular issue.
A good thesis statement...
A good NHD thesis statement also...
For this year's theme, your thesis will most likely involve a cause and effect relationship, showing how your topic changed history, but it does not have to. Here are some examples of potential thesis statements for this year's theme.
Basically, a thesis is an argument... YOUR ARGUMENT! It presents a point that YOU want to prove about your topic. It shows YOUR opinion or beliefs about a particular issue.
A good thesis statement...
- Presents a clear, original, and interesting argument.
- Can be proven or supported by research.
- Introduces the arguments you will use to support your claim.
A good NHD thesis statement also...
- Addresses a narrow topic that interests you.
- Connects that topic with the theme.
- Is easy to understand even for someone who knows nothing about your topic.
For this year's theme, your thesis will most likely involve a cause and effect relationship, showing how your topic changed history, but it does not have to. Here are some examples of potential thesis statements for this year's theme.
Examples:
"The advent of air conditioning caused the migration of many Northerners to Southern states such as Florida. This shift introduced elements of a more "Northern" lifestyle, including a variety of culinary traditions and more service-based jobs, significantly changing the culture and economy of the South."
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Get help writing your thesis statement!
If you're not sure where to start, try these helpful links:
- An article about writing thesis statements
- The Thesis Builder
- The Thesis Creator
- NHD Chicago Thesis Statement graphic organizer (only use the first page)