Discussion
Prepare: In order to successfully complete this week's assignments, read the following chapters from the text, Essaying the Past: How to Read, Write, and Think about History:
• Chapter 5: Search Engines, Research Ingenuity
• Chapter 6: How to Read a Book without Ever Getting to Chapter One
• Chapter 7: Analysis: The Intersection of Reading and Writing
• Chapter 8: Making a Case: An Argument in Three Parts
• Appendix E: Web of Lies? Weighing the Internet
Reflect: A strong history paper is driven by an analytic thesis statement. An analytic thesis will let the reader know the argument you intend to make and is a definite assertion of your answer to a question. It should present a precise claim, which you can then support with specific evidence from primary source texts and relevant scholarly sources.
The thesis addresses these issues:
• What is your point?
• What are you trying to prove?
A good thesis has the following characteristics:
• It is analytic, rather than descriptive. It explains how or why what you are asserting is important.
• It is precise. A statement so general or so "safe" that it fails to present a strong position is a weak thesis.
• It is something worth arguing about. Read your thesis and ask yourself, "so what?" Why is this claim significant?
• It is clearly and convincingly supported by the rest of the essay.
Write: Consider the definition of a strong, analytic thesis statement presented above. In your initial post of at least 250-300 words:
• Explain the historical context most directly relevant to your chosen topic.
• Describe potential sources that are relevant to your chosen topic.
• Present your preliminary analytic thesis statement.
• Support your work by providing properly-cited references to at least two sources you plan to use in your paper.
The response should include a reference list. Double-space, using Times New Roman 12 pnt font, one-inch margins, and APA style of writing and citations.