How To Write an A.P. U.S. History Thesis Statement

 

A thesis statement is the position a student is going to take, the argument that is going to be

made. It is therefore the answer to the question being asked. As such, the thesis statement is not a

fact; it is an informed interpretation of the facts. Neither is the thesis statement just an opinion.

Rather the thesis is the reasoned judgment of the student. Most good questions allow for a range

of possible answers. In other words, a continuum exists and students can generally feel free to

choose a response along that continuum. However, students should avoid crafting an extreme

response at either end of the continuum. Most questions require a response that is not black or

white but instead some shade of gray. That does not mean, however, that students should attempt

to respond in the middle of the continuum. Such an attempt usually results in a failure to

articulate a clear position. Students should also beware of the fallacy of “positive response bias.”

Unfortunately, many students are inclined to answer a question in the affirmative. Students

always need to carefully weigh all of the historical evidence and then craft a response that best

articulates their understanding of the historical record. In other words, students should not feel

free to argue any side simply because they can believe they can support it. Instead, they should

feel compelled to support the side with the most evidence behind it.

 

Examples of thesis statements:

 

Bad: George Washington set many important precedents as president. This is a fact not a

position.

 

Good: The precedents that Washington set as America’s first president greatly benefited

the American political system. This is a clear position that can be supported or opposed.

 

Weak: The Revolutionary War brought about change in American society. This is,

technically, a position. But, it is vague and not really debatable.

 

Strong: The Revolutionary War ushered in a slew of wide-ranging and permanent

social changes in American society. This is a clear, strong, and debatable thesis.

 

 

 

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