What is a Historical Thesis? Lisa M Lane

A historical thesis is kind of like a thesis for an English paper. It is a statement or sentence that you need to prove. You prove a thesis by presenting a brief argument and some evidence.

A historical thesis is kind of like a thesis for an English paper. It is a statement or sentence that you need to prove. You prove a thesis by presenting a brief argument and some evidence.

That evidence comes from the resources we have for this class.

That evidence comes from the resources we have for this class.

In this online class, we will be developing historical theses for both tests and discussion about our sources. You'll write a lot in this class, but you won't write any papers. All the writing is in discussion forums and in your two essays for each quiz.

In this online class, we will be developing historical theses for both tests and discussion about our sources. You'll write a lot in this class, but you won't write any papers. All the writing is in discussion forums and in your two essays for each quiz.

There is no research paper, because we're doing research all the time, finding new sources or working together, instead of saving up for a big individual project. On tests, the answer to every essay question will be like a thesis, supported by some evidence. Photo credit: acordova on Flickr

There is no research paper, because we're doing research all the time, finding new sources or working together, instead of saving up for a big individual project.

On tests, the answer to every essay question will be like a thesis, supported by some evidence.

"Why was the 17th century called a Golden Age in the Netherlands?" For example, a test question might be something like: Photo credit Rose_Zhang at Flickr

"Why was the 17th century called a Golden Age in the Netherlands?"

"The 17th century was a Golden Age for the Netherlands because trade, the arts and sciences flourished." Your answer might be this thesis: You "prove" the thesis by writing some specifics about trade (the Dutch had great ships), the arts (Rembrandt's "The Night Watch"), and the sciences. You provide examples that support what you're saying.

"The 17th century was a Golden Age for the Netherlands because trade, the arts and sciences flourished."

In discussion forums, we gather our sources and comment on them. Then, later in the week after my own commentary, each of you will choose a few of these sources and pull them together to support a statement about them. That is also a thesis.

In discussion forums, we gather our sources and comment on them. Then, later in the week after my own commentary, each of you will choose a few of these sources and pull them together to support a statement about them. That is also a thesis.

In this way, you always have an answer, and it is always supported by something everyone has seen or read. A "wrong" answer is one that has no evidence. The Aztecs were a great empire because Martians built their pyramids.

In this way, you always have an answer, and it is always supported by something everyone has seen or read. A "wrong" answer is one that has no evidence.

A "bad" answer, one gets an F, is an answer that is plagiarized. It is copied from another source, without citing or referencing the original creator.

A "bad" answer, one gets an F, is an answer that is plagiarized. It is copied from another source, without citing or referencing the original creator.

Don't worry about how "good" your thesis is at first. It's a bit unnerving to post your work, get to know each other, absorb the facts, get used to the online format. But this introduction should at least let you know what I have in mind for your work, and mine, in this class.

Don't worry about how "good" your thesis is at first. It's a bit unnerving to post your work, get to know each other, absorb the facts, get used to the online format. But this introduction should at least let you know what I have in mind for your work, and mine, in this class.

By the end of the class, writing a thesis will be quick and easy, which will help you in all your classes, not just this one. At the same time, you'll gain understanding of historical patterns over time, because you'll be creating your own historical narrative as you work in this class. So let's get started! copyright Staples Inc

By the end of the class, writing a thesis will be quick and easy, which will help you in all your classes, not just this one. At the same time, you'll gain understanding of historical patterns over time, because you'll be creating your own historical narrative as you work in this class. So let's get started!