California Youth Leadership Council Resources
Thesis
Watch this Video:
How to Write a Thesis Statement
Thesis Explanation + Examples (Reminder that this is one of many methods.)
What is a Thesis?
Your thesis is one of the most important parts of your NHD project. It is typically a few sentences that briefly describes the historical context of your topic, explains your argument, connects it to the annual theme, and explains your topic's significance in history. Your entire project should support your thesis.
How do I write a Thesis?
There are many correct ways to write a thesis, and your project and topic may require different strategies. These guidelines are not the only way to write a sucessful thesis.
Keep in mind that as you create your project, your thesis should undergo constant revision, as everything in your project must tie back to your thesis. You will create multiple drafts of your thesis as you add more to your project.
Thesis Requirements
Your project will be judged on multiple factors, and because your thesis is the base of your project, a strong thesis means a strong project. Your thesis must explain the following:
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Who cares? (Why is my topic important in history?)
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What is your opinion? (Your thesis must state a clear argument.)
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What is the topic about specifically? (Explain the specific details of your topic)
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How does your topic connect to the annual theme?
In competition, you will be judged on:
A thesis that is strong in all of these categories ensures your project will score highly, as the thesis is the road map for the rest of your project. A high-scoring thesis will be:
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Organized and have a clear argument (Clarity of presentation)
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Use theme words (try to have at least 1)* (Relation to theme)
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Be well-researched and backed by historical fact. (Historical quality)
*While it is important to relate the annual theme to your topic in your thesis, do not use theme words in your thesis where they do not fit, as overly obvious theme relations feel forced.
How Long Should My Thesis Be?
Your thesis may be anywhere between 1-5 sentences. Although typical theses in writing are around 1-2 sentences, many NHD projects have a 4-5 sentence thesis to ensure the thesis covers all of the project content and satisfies the requirements.
However, your thesis is part of your word count if you are doing an exhibit, website, or paper. A more concise thesis may be advantageous for these categories. Your thesis length also matters for podcasts, performances, and documentaries! It is part of the run time, and a longer thesis means less time for the rest of your project.
First Draft
In a nutshell, your thesis is a response to your research question, which has been covered in the 'Theme and Topic' page of this website. To create your thesis, refer back to the research question guide.
Another simple method to write a thesis is to write at least one sentence for each of these components:
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Context (Who, what, where, why?)
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Connection to theme
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Short-term impact
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Long-term impact
Revising your Thesis
Your thesis will go through many revisions as you create your project. As you add elements, revise your thesis to ensure it still encompasses everything in your project. Keep in mind the "W Questions" (Who?, What?, Where?, When?, Why?, and Why?) as well as how your topic relates to the theme.
What to avoid in your Thesis
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Overuse of theme words
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First person point of view (use 3rd person instead)
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Questions
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Present tense (use past tense)
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Answering "What if?" questions (Focus on what actually happened)
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Saying what should have been done (Focus on what actually happened and why)
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Words that are over-generalizations, unspecific, philosophical, or difficult to prove. (e.g., should have, everyone, always, forever.)
20%
Clarity of Presentation
20%
Relation to the Theme
60%
Historical Quality
Context
Connection
Impact
Thesis Do's and Don'ts
Thesis Examples
Examples taken from state-finalist and above projects from previous years.
Key:
Parts of a Thesis
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What is the topic about specifically? (Explain the specific details of your topic)
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What is your opinion? (Your thesis must state a clear argument.)
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Who cares? (Why is your topic important in history?)
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How does your topic connect to the annual theme?
The Battle for Bodega Head
Annual Theme: 2015 - Leadership and Legacy in History
Thesis:
David Pesonen's leadership in the Battle for Bodega Head led to an improbable victory over PG&E in 1964 that changed the course of nuclear power on the California coast. Although victory at Bodega did not prevent all nuclear projects in California, Pesonen's battle became the model for grassroots protest against government agencies and utilities. Ultimately, Pesonen's leadership established an important foundation for participatory democracy in California, as it profoundly shaped the emerging environmental movement, exposed issues of earthquake safety in the nuclear industry, and reflected the changed role of citizens in governmental decisions.
K is for Kathrine: Kathrine Switzer and the Boston Marathon
Annual Theme: 2024 - Rights and Responsibilities in History
Thesis:
Katherine Switzer’s historic run as the first woman to officially complete the Boston Marathon has greatly influenced attitudes regarding women in sports. She has broken barriers for female runners and all female athletes to compete at high levels, advocating for their rights to participate in all sports. In doing so, she has reached women worldwide and enabled them to share the responsibility of exercising their rights in athletics and proving themselves as the strong, competent athletes they are. She has had a lasting impact on the sporting community and will continue to inspire those fighting for and carrying out their rights to equality.
The Nuremberg Code: Shaping Human Rights and Responsibilities in Medical Research
Annual Theme: 2024 - Rights and Responsibilities in History
Thesis:
In response to the atrocities of Nazi human experimentation during World War II, the Nuremberg Code (1947) emerged as the first international guideline to safeguard patients' fundamental human rights in medical research, emphasizing voluntary consent without coercion, the freedom to withdraw, and the physicians' responsibility to prioritize patient well-being over science. Although the code initially failed to gain recognition due to its lack of legal authority and clarity, the code's societal presence heightened global awareness of unethical research practices worldwide, serving as a moral blueprint for modern ethical rights and laws in the field of scientific research today.