1. “How to Guide for Thematic Essays”
Global History 9
Mr. Meetze

2. What is a Thematic Essay?
A Thematic Essay is designed to function as a Traditional Essay where the student is provided a specific Theme found throughout history and then is given choices to prove that they can identify and explain key people, events, or topics from the course which will be written on a ‘Final’ Essay Paper on the Final Exam

3. Thematic Essay Topics Belief Systems Change Citizenship Conflict
Culture and Intellectual Life
Decision Making
Diversity
Economic Systems

4. Thematic Essay Topics Environment and Society Factors of Production
Human and Physical Geography
Human Rights
Imperialism
Interdependence
Justice
Movement of People and Goods

5. Thematic Essay Topics Nationalism Nation State Needs and Wants
Political Systems
Power
Scarcity
Science and Technology
Urbanization

6. Rules for ALL Thematics
How Many Paragraphs should Thematic Essays be?
How many Documents do you need to cite in your Thematic essay?
Can You use the Theme in your Introduction Paragraph?

7. Terms You Need to Understand
Student Thoroughly addresses all Tasks
Essay is More Analytical than Descriptive
Richly Supports the Theme with Facts & Details
Beyond a Restatement of the Theme

8. NYS Sample 10th Grade Thematic
Remember to Read & Highlight ALL S.S. Keys
1st Thing- Your Thematic Essay Topic
2nd Thing Your ‘To Do List’ for your 2 Body Paragraphs
3rd Thing- Potential Choices and if the Essay has any Excludors

9. Thematic Essay Scoring 5,4,3,2,1 Rubric
Score of 5:
Thoroughly develops all aspects of the task evenly and in depth
Is more analytical than descriptive (analyzes, evaluates, and/or creates* information)
Richly supports the theme with many 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 4:
Develops all aspects of the task but may do so somewhat unevenly
Is both descriptive and analytical (applies, analyzes, evaluates, and/or creates information)
Supports the theme with relevant facts, examples, and details
Score of 3:
Develops all aspects of the task with little depth or develops most aspects of the task in some depth
Is more descriptive than analytical (applies, may analyze, and/or evaluate information)
Includes some relevant facts, examples, and details; may include some minor inaccuracies
Demonstrates a satisfactory plan of organization; includes an introduction and a conclusion that may be a restatement of the theme
= 100
= 80
= 60

10. Thematic Essay Scoring 5,4,3,2,1 Rubric
Score of 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 a conclusion
Score of 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 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 pape
= 40
= 20

11. The ‘2 Liter’ Thematic Design?

12. Thematic Outline First Take out a Sheet of paper
Quickly Draw a big Square, an Upside Triangle, & a Triangle
Within the Square divide the object into 4 sections using 2 lines.

13. 1st Title of Thematic Essay
Define the Theme Discuss the Importance of the Theme to the World
Use Your Sample Outline
Intro- Min 4 Sentences
To Do List a. b. c.
Outside Info
‘Bottle Cap’ Write the Thematic Question
2 Body Paragraph Topics
Brainstorm at least 6 specific facts per Paragraph Sentences Minimum
Open the ‘Bottle Cap’ Write the Thematic Question
Conclusion Min 4 Sentences
Either Link Thematic to another topic or Relate the Theme to life today

15. Conclusion Min 4 Sentences
Title of Thematic: Culture & Intelectual Life
Reminder: minutes total on the Outline
Intro- Min 4 Sentences
To Do List
Outside Info
A. Medicine- Specifically?
B. ???
C. Today
Islamic Empire
Brainstorm at least 6 specific facts per Paragraph Sentences Minimum A B. C.
Your Choice
Conclusion Min 4 Sentences

16. Writing the Thematic Reminders
Make sure the Intro and Conclusion does not consist of ‘This is What I’m Going to Do’ and ‘This is What I just Wrote’
Use your Outline for your essay. By doing so you address the clear plan and organization task of the question

17. Writing the Thematic Reminders
After you write a sentence make sure you can not ask yourself a Who, What, Where, When, Why, or How question. If so you didn’t write with enough depth
Be sure to use your outside to Analyse the Theme not just making a huge laundry list of information. Your To Do List NEEDs to be very specific!!!

18. Writing the Thematic Reminders
Check the grading rubric and self grade your essay 5,4,3,2,or 1 scale.
Did you address all aspects of the task?
Did you answer the question?