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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:
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Describe one change brought about
by this nonpolitical revolution
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Discuss an impact this nonpolitical
revolution had on a specific society or
societies
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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.
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Tip #2
Use the suggestions
that are provided with every thematic essay task.
Suggestions for this sample task included:
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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
are not limited to these suggestions; however, you
must be sure you do not use political revolutions
(aka the French Revolution) and you are never
allowed to use any examples from the United States.
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Choose the topics you know the most
about.
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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.
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You are never limited to the suggestions
but you must make sure your choices fall
within the parameters of the task.
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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.
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Suggestion |
Applied to Sample Task |
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Introduction |
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Lead
Sentence
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Definition
of Theme
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Main Points
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Thesis
Statement
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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.
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Body
Paragraphs |
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Topic
sentence
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Supporting
Details/Analysis (why/how)/Connections
to thesis
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Concluding
sentence
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The
Neolithic Revolution started around the year
10,000 BCE when nomadic peoples began to
settle down. During the Paleolithic
Era, 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, 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.
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Conclusion |
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Restate Thesis
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Summarize Main Points
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Final Thought
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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. |
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There is no one correct way to organize
your information, but it must be logical
and clear.
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This is a great place to practice all
those English techniques you have
learned:sophisticated transitions, use
of language, and complex sentence
structure. It will only make your essay
better.
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Tip #4
Know and
understand how you will be graded.
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Scores range from 0 - 5, with 5 being the
highest.
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A rule of thumb is to think of a Regents 5 as an
A, Regents 4 as a B, Regents 3 as a C, Regents 2
as a D, and Regents 1 & 0 as an F.
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This rubric for thematic essays has been used
since June 2004.
Thematic Essay General Scoring
Rubric
Revised 2004
Score of 5:
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Thoroughly develops all aspects of
the task evenly and in depth
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Is more analytical than descriptive
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Richly supports the theme with many
relevant facts, examples, and
details
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Demonstrates a logical and clear
plan of organization; includes an
introduction and a conclusion that
are beyond a restatement of the
theme
Score of 4:
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Develops all aspects of the task but
may do so somewhat unevenly
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Is both descriptive and analytical
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Supports the theme with relevant
facts, examples, and details
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Demonstrates a logical and clear
plan of organization; includes an
introduction and a conclusion that
are beyond a restatement of the
theme
Score of 3:
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Develops all aspects of the task
with little depth or develops most
aspects of the task in some depth
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Is more descriptive than analytical
(applies, may analyze, and/or
evaluate information)
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Includes some relevant facts,
examples, and details; may include
some minor inaccuracies
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Demonstrates a satisfactory plan of
organization; includes an
introduction and a conclusion that
may be a restatement of the theme
Score of 2:
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Minimally develops all aspects of
the task or develops some aspects of
the task in some depth
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Is primarily descriptive; may
include faulty, weak, or isolated
application or analysis
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Includes few relevant facts,
examples, and details; may include
some inaccuracies
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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 a conclusion
Score of 1:
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Minimally develops some aspects of
the task
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Is descriptive; may lack
understanding, application, or
analysis
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Includes few relevant facts,
examples, or details; may include
inaccuracies
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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 an
introduction and/or a conclusion
Score of 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
only the theme, task, or suggestions as
copied from the test booklet; OR
is illegible; OR is a blank paper
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Please note that in order to earn a
score of a Regents 4 or 5 you must use
analysis, meaning you must state the
why and how of
your details and examples. Why
did a surplus of food lead to
civilization? How did the
Nile impact Egypt?
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Always be specific...the more specific
information you have, the better!
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