The Thematic Essay Part II of the Global Regents Exam
What is a thematic essay? A thematic essay is an essay that requires you to write a 4-5 paragraph essay about a specific theme.
Part of the Essay The Theme The general topic of your essay The Task Two to three things that your essay must address. Suggestions Topics on which your essay can focus.
What is a theme?
Belief Systems Change Choice Conflict Culture and Intellectual Life Diversity Empathy Identity Imperialism Interdependence Themes Urbanization The World in Spatial Terms Places and Regions Physical Systems Human Systems Environment and Society The Uses of Geography Economic Systems Factors of Production Needs and Wants Movement of People and Goods Scarcity Nationalism Citizenship Civic Values Decision Making Nation-State Political Systems Power Science and Technology Government Human Rights Justice
Belief Systems Change Choice Conflict (GLOBAL 2) Culture and Intellectual Life Diversity Empathy Identity (GLOBAL 2) Imperialism (GLOBAL 2) Interdependence Themes Urbanization The World in Spatial Terms Places and Regions Physical Systems Human Systems Environment and Society The Uses of Geography Economic Systems Factors of Production Needs and Wants Movement of People and Goods Scarcity Nationalism (GLOBAL 2) Citizenship Civic Values Decision Making Nation-State (GLOBAL 2) Political Systems Power Science and Technology Government Human Rights (GlOBAL 2) Justice
Sample Thematic Essay Directions: Write a well-organized essay that includes an introduction, several paragraphs explaining your position, and a conclusion. Theme: Belief Systems At various times in global history, members of different religions have acted to bring people together. Members of these same religions have also acted to divide people and have caused conflict. Task: Choose two religions from your study of global history and geography. For each religion: Describe two basic beliefs of the religion. Explain how members of the religion, at a specific time and place, acted either to unify society or to cause conflict in society. You may use any example from your study of global history and geography. Some suggestions you might wish to consider include: Judaism in the Middle East, Roman Catholicism in Latin America, Hinduism in India, Islam in Iran, Protestant Reformation and the Counter Reformation in Europe, animism in Africa, Shintoism in Japan, and Buddhism in Southeast Asia. You are not limited to these suggestions.
Writing this Essay P.O.W.E.R Plan, Outline, Write, Edit, Rewrite
Plan Using the task, plan out your essay either on paper or in your head. How will I introduce the topic of my essay in 3-4 sentences? What will the first body paragraph be about? What will the second body paragraph be about? How will I sum up my essay in 4 sentences?
OUTLINE Quickly expand your plan on paper. Introduction - Topic/First sentence. Modify the theme in your own words while grabbing the reader's attention. - Second sentence. Expand on the main idea of the theme. - Third sentence. Expand on the main idea of the theme. - Thesis Statement. Say what you will discuss in your essay again utilizing the task. DO NOT USE THIS ESSAY IS ABOUT or IN THIS ESSAY. Body Paragraph 1 - First Sentence. A topic sentence mentioning the part of the task you will discuss in this paragraph. - Second Sentence. Expand on the part of the task mentioned in sentence one with supporting details. Remember the 5 W's and 1 H. - Third Sentence. Further expansion on the part of the task mentioned in sentence one with supporting details. Remember the 5 W's and 1 H. - Fourth Sentence. A transition sentence that lets the reader know what the next paragraph will discuss.
Body Paragraph 2 - First Sentence. A topic sentence mentioning the part of the task you will discuss in this paragraph. - Second Sentence. Expand on the part of the task mentioned in sentence one with supporting details. Remember the 5 W's and 1 H. - Third Sentence. Further expansion on the part of the task mentioned in sentence one with supporting details. Remember the 5 W's and 1 H. - Fourth Sentence. A transition sentence that lets the reader know what the next paragraph will discuss. Conclusion - Restate your thesis statement (the last sentence of the introduction). DO NOT USE IN CONCLUSION. - Summarize in two to three sentences what you concluded about the task in relation to the theme.
Write Write your essay. If your handwriting is difficult to read, skip lines
Edit Proofread your paper for any grammatical, spelling, capitalization, or punctuation mistakes. Do all pronouns have clear references? Are all sentences complete? Did I analyze all information or did I just describe it?
WHY ANALYZE? 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
Rewrite Rewrite your essay with all corrections NOT HAPPENING!!!