The thesis statement is similar to the first impression in communication with people. They’re much more likely to remember you than someone else who made little or no impression at all. When writing a history paper, it is crucial to provide this strong single sentence at the end of the first paragraph to present your argument to the readers in the best light. The rest of the project (i.e., the body) includes evidence that you collect and organize in a manner that persuades your target audience of the logic of your interpretation of a particular event, figure, or any other concept in history. In other words, a thesis statement is a ‘road map’ for a project, and your task is to create a clear and detailed one. We hope our quick recommendations will help you along the way.
#1 Your Position Must Be Clear
Regardless of the nature of your viewpoint or argument, it should be clearly stated in a thesis statement. No vague or overly general statements! Instead, you should make a specific claim that you can support with solid evidence throughout your history project. For example, the weak thesis statement looks like this: “There were a lot of causes for the WWII.” The strong one, in turn, is that “The economic instability caused by The Treaty of Versailles is one of the key causes of WWII as the stage for the rise of totalitarian regimes was set.”
#2 Be Specific
No matter how much you want it, you shouldn’t try to cover everything. If your topic seems to be too broad, make sure to narrow it to something precise and easy to manage. The same goes for a thesis statement. With a focused thesis at hand, you’ll have a chance to dive deeper into your historical research and present a stronger argument. If you lack skills in polishing your topic, let professionals do it. Just send a quick message like, “Hey, write my paper, please – based on a strong thesis statement” and voilà! A focused statement is right there. For instance, the too broad statement might look like this: “The French Revolution had general causes that were typical to all the revolutions of the West.” As for a focused one, “One of the causes of the French Revolution was that monarchy, no longer considered divinely ordained, was unable to adapt to both the societal and political pressures that were being exerted on it.”
#3 Encourage Your Readers to Debate!
After all, that’s what history is for, right? Your thesis statement should include an argument that you know some people are going to disagree with. No need to focus solely on facts. If everyone is OK with your statement (boring!), it is far from being a strong one. Never go with something like, “Adolf Hitler was leader of the Nazi Party.” Instead, choose a thesis statement like, “Adolf Hitler’s rise to power was not only because of his personal charisma or ideology, but rather because of economic instability in Germany, political fragmentation, and the failure of the West to interfere early.” Make it debatable!
#4 Say No to Passive Voice and Uncertainty
To make your thesis statement stronger, ensure you use active voice and never say things like, “It looks like,” “I think,” “It seems,” and so on. The worst statement is, “It seems like COVID-19 had some negative effects.” The best option to include is, “The COVID-19 lockdown measures have negatively affected physical activity, eating behavior, and mental health among individuals all over the globe.”
#5 Make the Thesis Statement Solidly Grounded in Historical Context
In other words, you have to anchor it in historical evidence. Feel free to reference specific dates, figures, events, and/or policies in order to demonstrate your understanding of the chosen topic. For example, “The inability of the League of Nations to stop aggression in the 1930s demonstrates all the weaknesses of collective security, when no real enforcement power exists in the society” statement is anchored in historical evidence through several key events in the 1930s, including Manchurian Crisis in 1931, Abyssinian Crisis in 1935, and failure of the League to confront nazi Germany. Perfect!
#6 Revise, Revise, Revise!
As you write, you’ll find yourself diving deeper and deeper into research. Chances are your initial thesis statement might change several times as you go. That’s okay! However, do not forget to revisit it again and again to reflect the direction your argument takes. For example, if you’re engaged in a project on Tutankhamun, and your initial thesis statement was, “Tutankhamun was a young Pharaoh who ruled over Ancient Egypt a long time ago and had many health issues,” make sure to modify it if you suddenly turn your research direction to his wife. “Tutankhamun didn’t have kids because the two pregnancies of his wife Ankhesenamun ended with two girls born prematurely and didn’t survive” would fit better. We strongly recommend checking if your evidence supports your thesis after writing just a few pages. If not, adjust the thesis to make sure it 100% matches the content of the paper.
#7 Be Strategic!
Your task is to locate your thesis statement right at the end of the intro paragraph of the history paper. Not only will you set up the structure of your project, but you’ll also provide your audience with a preview of what to expect later.
What it all comes down to is that your thesis statement is the backbone of your project in history. If you craft it well, you’ll have a detailed guide for your own research and a hook that engages readers and encourages them to keep on reading. Take your time with it. You are not supposed to produce a perfect piece at the first try! Don’t be afraid to revise until it’s just right.