1 Research: Defining an Essay Topic and Thesis Statement

Defining your topic is arguably the most important, and often the most difficult, task in writing an essay. An ill-defined topic will never produce a good paper. A history essay is much more than a list of facts about events that happened in the past: it must explain. It is also more than a repetition of what other historians have already concluded: it must include your interpretation. A good historical essay is focused on a limited topic. To narrow your topic, ask the questions who, what, where, when, and/or why something happened as it did.

Steps for defining a topic:

• Identify a topic of interest. If your professor has provided a list of topics, identify one that is interesting to you. If you do not have a list from which to select a topic, think of something related to the course content about which you would like to know more.
• Review the work already done on the topic (historiography) and familiarize yourself with the basic facts and events: find out what is known about the topic in textbooks, historical encyclopedias, or other general and specialized works.
• Narrow down your topic. Select one that is narrow enough to be feasible and manageable. An ill-defined or too-broad topic will never produce a good paper. Even if your professor provided the topic, you will probably still need to refine it.

The next step is to develop a thesis statement. Most history essay thesis statements are argumentative, meaning that they state something that will be debated, argued, and defended in the paper. Remember that the point of studying history is not just to describe what happened, but to explain why it happened. The thesis statement also establishes the scope of the assignment (what will, and what will not, be covered).

Steps for developing a thesis:

• Turn your narrowed-down topic into a research question. Avoid questions that can be answered simply with a description.
• Establish a position. Develop an argument that directly addresses your topic or question. Having only a general or vague idea of what you will argue is not necessarily problematic at this point – you can revise your argument as your research progresses.
• Refine your argument. Use your research findings to revise and strengthen your thesis statement and argument. Ask the following questions: Who? What? When? Where? Why? How? Why is this important? Why did it happen? What was the cause or impact?

As you begin to read about your topic, you may find that you have to redefine or refine it and your thesis statement more than once. This is perfectly normal!

Qualities of a strong thesis

Specific: A good thesis argues a specific aspect of the selected topic. It is focused enough to be fully explored within the essay.

Explanatory: A good thesis contains an explanation and justification for the position it proposes. Agreeing or disagreeing with something is not enough; the overall reason for agreeing or disagreeing must also be provided.

Argumentative: A good thesis is debatable. It takes a stand and says something relevant and important about the topic.

For more information about defining a topic and developing a thesis, see:

Writing History: Formulating a Research Question

Wayne C. Booth, Gregory G. Colomb, and Joseph M Williams, eds., The Craft of Research, 2nd ed. (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2003).

Look especially at “Generating Research Questions.”

“Developing a Thesis Statement” by the Writing Center at Ohio State University.

How to Write a Thesis Introduction Statement (video) by the UCLA library