Your thesis statement should present an analytical argument.

This essay should be between 2,500-3,000 words not including citations or bibliography. An analytical research essay must include a clear thesis statement. Your thesis should be supported by a minimum of 8 scholarly secondary sources. You are encouraged to include additional primary sources to support your analysis. It must include footnotes and a bibliography in Chicago Manual Style. Your essay may explore one of the topics from the pre-approved list, or you may examine a topic of your choosing that focuses on a theme in European history. If creating your own topic, make sure that your research question has been approved.
Please submit your essay by uploading a word document. Your essay needs a clear research question. You may choose one from the provided list. You may find that the research question that you use in your paper is a bit more focused than the one you initially chose on the list. Your thesis statement should present an analytical argument.
Consider your thesis statement as your one-sentence answer to your research question. While it may seem obvious, it is worth mentioning that there needs to be a direct correlation between your research question and your thesis statement.
Avoid question words in your thesis statement such as ‘how’ or ‘why’ — leave those for your research question! Thesis statements that include question words often result in a re-statement of your research question rather than an answer to the question. Use your thesis statement to argue about the ‘how’ or ‘why’ that your question focuses on.
Work to take your thesis beyond a list of factors or an explanation of a process. Remember, your thesis statement should present an analytical argument. Work to present an analysis of the process or list of factors central to your essay. What brings your ideas together?