What is the claim (thesis statement) in the compare and contrast essay? introductory paragraph history is full of dramatic events that have, perhaps, changed the very course of history itself. when a great leader dies, his or her absence can make a huge difference in the direction a nation takes. causing a momentous event is what tempts assassins—the hope of changing history in important ways. yet if assassinations have this in common, not all assassinations are alike. for example, the assassinations of roman dictator julius caesar in 44 bc and president john f. kennedy in 1963 are very different. a. history is full of dramatic events that have, perhaps, changed the very course of history itself. b. when a great leader dies, his or her absence can make a huge difference in the direction a nation takes. c. causing a momentous event is what tempts assassins—the hope of changing history in important ways. d. yet if assassinations have this in common, not all assassinations are alike. e. for example, the assassinations of roman dictator julius caesar in 44 bc and president john f. kennedy in 1963 are very different.