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NHD Thesis Statement 1. Identify your topic 2. . Provide historical context (identify period of history/era) 3. Identify area/realm of expertise or influence 4. Discuss how your topic demonstrated leadership 5. Discuss your topic's legacy, including impact, changes, or shifts that occurred as a result of their work

MOST IMPORTANTLY: YOUR THESIS NEEDS TO EXPRESS AN OPINION!

NHD Thesis Statement

STEP 1: Topic: Congrats! You already have this. STEP 2: Brainstorm: Spend some time reviewing and categorizing your general findings. Using your knowledge of the information from your notecards, answer your research question(s) . Try a cluster web. STEP 3: Claim: Write an assertion about your topic putting together the top three reasons you have to back up your claim. STEP 4: Revise and Edit. Make changes for cohesion and fluency. Proofread for errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

NHD Thesis Statement STEP 1: Topic Example:

Berry Gordy and Motown: Creating the Sound of America and a Legacy of Opportunity ***It’s not enough to simply name your person/event/organization, e.g., George Washington. What about him? Say more.

NHD Thesis Statement

STEP 2: Brainstorm/Cluster Web of reasons/details/evidence Example: BERRY GORDY

LEADERSHIP

Made entrepreneurial decisions that opened up opportunity for many artists.

Founder & CEO of Motown Records

Took Risks in re-investing profits

LEGACY

Modeled recordproducing after car assembly line Wrote and produced songs that helped to desegregate America.

Created a music empire that brought African American music to the mainstream

NHD Thesis Statement

Looking at the details you have gathered, come up with some key words to describe HOW your topic displays leadership and legacy. BERRY Example: GORDY

LEADERSHIP

Made entrepreneurial decisions that opened up opportunity for many artists

Founder & CEO of Motown Records

Took Risks in re-investing profits

LEGACY

Modeled recordproducing after car assembly line Wrote and produced songs that helped to desegregate America

Created a music empire that brought African American music to the mainstream

NHD Thesis Statement STEP 3: Claim (ROUGH DRAFT) Example:

Barry Gordy showed leadership and legacy by revolutionizing the American music industry through his role as CEO in Motown Records. By making smart decisions, taking risks, and writing and producing songs that touched on social issues, Barry Gordy greatly influenced America.

NHD Thesis Statement STEP 4.1: Revise and Edit (REVISION 1) Example:

Berry Gordy left a legacy by revolutionizing the American music industry in his leadership as CEO of Motown Records. By making innovative decisions, taking entrepreneurial risks, and writing and producing songs that touched on major social issues, Berry Gordy takes his place as one of America’s most important figures.

NHD Thesis Statement

STEP 4.2: Revise and Edit (REVISION 2) Example: Despite the racial turmoil of the 1960s, Berry Gordy revolutionized the American music industry through establishing and leading Motown Records. By making innovative decisions, taking entrepreneurial risks, and producing songs that bolstered the Civil Rights Movement, Berry Gordy left a momentous legacy of opportunity and a uniquely American sound.

Example Thesis Statement Despite the oppressive circumstances of the economic struggle that Russia faced in the early 1900's, Vladimir Lenin was a charismatic revolutionary who displayed leadership by gathering support under the Bolshevik party and by using strategy to overthrow the provisional government. His actions left a legacy of lasting reformation of Russia's government with the success of the Russian Revolution and the implementation of communism.