Paquette+-+History

=Thesis Research Project=

Due May 15, 2014

==Objective: to write a thesis research report on any AP topic that is or will be covered by the end of the year. This assignment is NOT a research report in which you summarize an event. You MUST establish a thesis and prove it accurate through research and the use of primary source documents.==

What is a thesis statement? It is a strong statement that you can prove with evidence. It is not a simple statement of fact. A thesis statement should be the product of your own critical thinking after you have done some research. A thesis statement is developed after doing some pre-research and defining a purpose for you project or paper.

How do I write it?
 * Keep in mind the purpose of your project
 * Look at the kinds of information you have been finding while taking notes
 * Decide if you have enough evidence to prove your point, and to make a strong argument

Here are some ways to approach it:
 * Define a problem and state your opinion about it
 * Put forth a possible solution to a problem
 * Look at an issue/topic from a new, interesting perspective
 * Theorize how the world might be different today if something had/ had not happened in the past
 * Put out your ideas about how something was influenced to be the way it is or was (political leadership, music, art, wars, events

Before you start your research:
 * Brainstorm keywords, synonyms, and phrases related to your topic. Write them down!
 * Write down what you already know about your topic
 * What are some of the issues or concerns about your topic?
 * How might you address or begin to solve the problem or issue?
 * Who might be affected by the issue or topic? How? Why?
 * Why is this topic important?

Resources:
 * Books
 * Databases - Primary Sources
 * Websites - NOT Wikipedia


 * [[image:Britannica Annals of History.JPG width="362" height="41" caption="Search this database for topic ideas" link="http://libraries.state.ma.us/login?db=eb_america&locid=mlin_w_chichigh"]] || [[image:http://www.chicopeeps.org/images/cchsimages/history_us_in_context.gif caption="Search this database for primary sources" link="http://libraries.state.ma.us/login?db=UHIC&locid=mlin_w_chichigh"]] ||
 * [[image:http://www.chicopeeps.org/images/cchsimages/biography_in_context.gif align="center" link="http://libraries.state.ma.us/login?db=BIC1&locid=mlin_w_chichigh"]] || [[image:http://www.chicopeeps.org/images/cchsimages/GVRL5_lg.gif caption="Search American Eras" link="http://libraries.state.ma.us/login?db=GVRL&locid=mlin_w_chichigh"]] ||