Thematic Essays

Thematics are straightforward essays that can be conquered by remembering a few simple tips.

1. Address the task.

2. Remember you can use other topics other than the suggestions.

3. Organize your thoughts.

4. Know how you are being graded.

Tip #1

The most important thing to remember when writing a thematic essay is to address the task.

Sample Task

From the January 2008 Global Regents Exam:

Theme: Change

Identify two nonpolitical revolutions that brought about important intellectual, economic, and/or social changes

to societies and for each:

Describe one change brought about by this nonpolitical revolution

Discuss an impact this nonpolitical revolution had on a specific society or societies

A way to be sure you will stick to the task is to develop your thesis statement using it. Put the task

into a general thesis statement (main idea of the essay) and then make connections to it throughout

the body of the essay.

Thesis Example:

Nonpolitical revolutions brought about many changes while impacting societies.

Tip #2

Use the suggestions that are provided with every thematic essay task but don’t be afraid to think outside the

box.

Suggestions for the sample task are:

Neolithic Revolution (10,000 - 6,000 BCE), the Commercial Revolution (11th -18th centuries), the Scientific

Revolution (16th -18th centuries), the Enlightenment (17th - 18th centuries), the Agricultural Revolutions (18th

- 19th centuries), the Industrial Revolution in Europe (18th - 19th centuries), and the Green Revolution (20th

century)

You may want to choose the Renaissance or Reformation. They are not on the list but you can definitely argue

them as a nonpolitical change. You can never use examples from the U.S..

Choose the topics you know the most about.

You are never limited to the suggestions but you must make sure your choices connect to

and complete the task.

If you don't know which one to choose, brainstorm ideas about each and see what comes to

you. Be sure to jot down those ideas so you have a visual.

Tip #3

How you organize your information is almost as important as the information itself.

The following is a suggestion on how to organize your essay:

Part of Essay

Suggested Format

Applied to this Task

Introduction

1. Lead Sentence

2. Definition of

Theme

3. Main Points

4. Thesis Statement

Many changes in history have occurred without violence. A

revolution is simply a change within the norms of society. The

Neolithic Revolution changed the course of history when people

began to settle down in permanent locations. History also

drastically changed with the Industrial Revolution as areas began

mass-producing goods. Nonpolitical revolutions brought about

many changes while impacting societies.

Body

Paragraphs

1. Topic sentence

2. Task Completion

- Part 1

- Part 2

3. Concluding

sentence

The Neolithic Revolution started around the year 10,000 BCE

when nomadic peoples began to settle down. During the

Paleolithic Era, nomadic people moved from place to place in

search of food. Men hunted and women gathered. Over time,

women began to realize that fruits and vegetables could be

domesticated. This changed the course of history since people

started to farm in permanent settlements. Over time, agricultural

surpluses allowed these settlements to grow into complex

civilizations. These surpluses of food meant that not everyone had

to farm, freeing up people to have other jobs. Cities developed,

complex governments and religions were created, a system of

writing was used, a department of public works was needed to

service the people, art and architecture were emphasized, and job

specialization led to social classes. These basic features of a

civilization were the same throughout the world, although how

they were implemented depended on where. Egypt was greatly

impacted by the Neolithic Revolution. Pharaohs ruled society and

were seen as gods. Records were kept by scribes, written in

demotic, which was a simpler form of hieroglyphics. Historians

have been able to decode the complex writing thanks to the

discovery of the Rosetta Stone in the 18

century. The Egyptians

were polytheistic, believing in a variety of god, most of which

were connected to their geography. The most famous architectural

achievement is the building of pyramids. These large structures

served as tombs for pharaohs during the Old Kingdom. Without

the discovery of farming, civilizations would not have been able

to develop.

Conclusion

1. Restate Thesis

2. Summarize Main

Points

3. Final Thought

Many changes were brought about in societies through

nonpolitical revolutions. The Neolithic and Industrial

Revolutions significantly changed the course of history during

their respective time periods. Revolutions, both nonviolent and

violent, will continue to alter the course of history.

Obviously you would need a second body paragraph on the Industrial Revolution for this sample essay but you

get the idea on how to organize your thoughts and connect to the task.

There is no one correct way to organize your information, but it must be logical and clear. This

is a great place to practice all those English techniques you have learned! essay better.

Tip #4

Know how you will be graded.

The following is the rubric that we must use on the NYS Regents Exams for both Global and US History.

Thematic Essay Scoring Rubric

Score of a 5:

Shows a thorough understanding of the theme or problem

Thoroughly develops all aspects of the task evenly and in depth

Is more analytical than descriptive

Richly supports essay with relevant facts, examples and details

Demonstrates a logical and clear plan of organization; includes an introduction and a conclusion that are beyond

a restatement of the theme

Score of a 4:

Develops all aspects of the task but may do so somewhat unevenly

Is both descriptive and analytical

Supports the theme with relevant facts, examples and details

Demonstrates a logical and clear plan of organization; includes an introduction and a conclusion that are beyond

a restatement of the theme

Score of a 3:

Develops all aspects of the task but with little depth or develops most aspects of the task in some depth

Is more descriptive than analytical

Includes some relevant facts, examples, and details; may include some minor inaccuracies

Demonstrates a satisfactory and clear plan of organization; includes an introduction and a conclusion that may

be a restatement of the theme

Score of a 2:

Minimally develops all aspects of the task or develops some aspects of the task in some depth

Is primarily descriptive; may include faulty, weak or isolated application or analysis

Includes few relevant facts, examples, and details; may include some inaccuracies

Demonstrates a general plan of organization; may lack focus; may contain digressions; may not clearly identify

which aspect of the task is being addressed; may lack an introduction and/ or conclusion

Score of a 1:

Minimally develops some aspects of the task

Is descriptive; may lack understanding, application or analysis

Includes few relevant facts, examples, or details; may include inaccuracies

May demonstrate a weakness in organization; may lack focus; may contain digressions; may not clearly identify

which aspect of the task is being addressed; may lack introduction and/ or a conclusion

Score of a 0:

Fails to develop the task or may only refer to the theme in a general way; OR includes no relevant facts,

examples or details; OR includes the theme, task or suggestions as copied from the test booklet; OR is illegible;

OR is a blank paper

Please note that in order to earn a Regents 4 or 5 you must use analysis – the how, why, so what.

Always use specific details and key terms as often as possible. You had to learn those vocab words for a reason.

If you are stuck, ask for help. We can’t tell you answers but we can help you relax and unblock your brain. The

worst thing you could do is not write an essay.