How to Write a Thesis

A Thesis Is and Makes... ●A statement for your reader. ●A statement that presents the topic of your paper/essay and your stance on said topic. ●a good claim ●a debatable argument

Parts of a Thesis A thesis should contain a topic (what you are writing about), an opinion about the topic (what your attitude is toward the topic), and reasons why you hold that view (explanations answering “why?” or “so what?”). In other words, a thesis needs to be an arguable assertion that can be proven with facts and opinions. ●Topic ●Opinion/Claim ●Reasons/Tools

Types of Theses ●analytical ●expository ●argumentative

Analytical Thesis Example of an analytical thesis statement: An analysis of the college admission process reveals one challenge facing counselors: accepting students with high test scores or students with strong extracurricular backgrounds. The paper that follows should: ● Explain the analysis of the college admission process ● Explain the challenge facing admissions counselors

Analyzing means... breaking down a problem or situation into separate parts or relationships and examining each part

Expository Thesis Example of an expository (explanatory) thesis statement: The life of the typical college student is characterized by time spent studying, attending class, and socializing with peers. The paper that follows should: ● Explain how students spend their time studying, attending class, and socializing with peers

Argumentative Thesis Example of an argumentative thesis statement: High school graduates should be required to take a year off to pursue community service projects before entering college in order to increase their maturity and global awareness. The paper that follows should: ● Present an argument and give evidence to support the claim that students should pursue community projects before entering college *Make a challenge.

Tips for Writing a Thesis ●Your thesis should be found in the introduction or in the earliest paragraphs of your essay/paper (longer works can have it in the second paragraph). ●Your thesis should present the topic of your essay/paper and also indicate your position on that topic. ●Your thesis should avoid explicit statements such as: “The point of this paper is…” or “I think that…” or “I am writing this paper to…” ●Your thesis should be one to two sentences in length ●Your thesis should be focused, clear and specific (avoid ambiguity and broadness of scope).

How to make a thesis Answer the question or respond to the writing task directly: One way to create a thesis statement is to directly answer the assigned question or if the writing assignment is not in the form of a question, then by responding to the task. When responding to a writing assignment, be sure that you have responded directly to what is being asked. Make sure that you address all parts of the assignment.

How to make a thesis Brainstorm and freewrite to discover your argument: If there is no specific writing assignment, begin by brainstorming (listing key words and concepts) and freewriting (writing informally) on your topic. See what emerges as to what specific aspects interest you. State your opinion one of these aspects and examine the significance. Why is this important? What are the implications?

How to make a thesis Connect your ideas under one joining sentence: If you have done some brainstorming, freewriting, outlining or drafting of the paper, and have many ideas but not a thesis yet, look at your main ideas or main supporting points. What do these ideas have in common? What overall argument connects those ideas? What do all the topic sentences suggest?

Is your thesis statement specific? Your thesis statement should be as clear and specific as possible. Normally you will continue to refine your thesis as you revise your argument(s), so your thesis will evolve and gain definition as you obtain a better sense of where your argument is taking you. Tip: Check your thesis: ●Are there two large statements connected loosely by a coordinating conjunction (i.e. "and," "but," "or," "for," "nor," "so," "yet")? ●Would a subordinating conjunction help (i.e. "through," "although," "because," "since") to signal a relationship between the two sentences? ●Or do the two statements imply a fuzzy unfocused thesis? ●If so, settle on one single focus and then proceed with further development.

Is your thesis to general/broad? The opposite of a focused, narrow, crisp thesis is a broad, sprawling, superficial thesis. Compare this original thesis (too general) with three possible revisions (more focused, each presenting a different approach to the same topic): ●Original thesis: o There are serious objections to today's horror movies. ●Revised theses: o Because modern cinematic techniques have allowed filmmakers to get more graphic, horror flicks have desensitized young American viewers to violence. o The pornographic violence in "bloodbath" slasher movies degrades both men and women. o Today's slasher movies fail to deliver the emotional catharsis that 1930s horror films did.

Is your thesis clear? Tip: In order to be as clear as possible in your writing: ●Unless you're writing a technical report, avoid technical language. Always avoid jargon, unless you are confident your audience will be familiar with it. ●Avoid vague words such as "interesting,” "negative," "exciting,” "unusual," and "difficult." ●Avoid abstract words such as "society," “values,” or “culture.” Original thesis: Although the timber wolf is a timid and gentle animal, it is being systematically exterminated. [if it's so timid and gentle -- why is it being exterminated?] Revised thesis: Although the timber wolf is actually a timid and gentle animal, it is being systematically exterminated because people wrongfully believe it to be a fierce and cold- blooded killer.

Does your thesis include a comment on your stance? The thesis statement should do more than merely announce the topic; it must reveal what position you will take in relation to that topic, how you plan to analyze/evaluate the subject or the issue, etc. In short, instead of merely stating a general fact or resorting to a simplistic pro/con statement, you must decide what it is you have to say. Tips: ●Avoid merely announcing the topic; your original and specific "angle" should be clear. In this way you will tell your reader why your take on the issue matters. o Original thesis: In this paper, I will discuss the relationship between fairy tales and early childhood. o Revised thesis: Not just empty stories for kids, fairy tales shed light on the psychology of young children.

Does your thesis include a comment on your stance? ●Avoid making universal or pro/con judgments that oversimplify complex issues. o Original thesis: We must save the whales. o Revised thesis: Because our planet's health may depend upon biological diversity, we should save the whales. ●When you make a (subjective) judgment call, specify and justify your reasoning. “Just because” is not a good reason for an argument. o Original thesis: Socialism is the best form of government for Kenya. o Revised thesis: If the government takes over industry in Kenya, the industry will become more efficient.

Does your thesis include a comment on your stance? Avoid merely reporting a fact. Say more than what is already proven fact. Go further with your ideas. Otherwise… why would your point matter? ●Original thesis: Hoover's administration was rocked by scandal. ●Revised thesis: The many scandals of Hoover's administration revealed basic problems with the Republican Party's nominating process.

Is your thesis original? Avoid, avoid, avoid generic arguments and formula statements. Tip: The point you make in the paper should matter: ●Be prepared to answer “So what?” about your thesis statement. ●Be prepared to explain why the point you are making is worthy of a paper. Why should the reader read it? ●Original thesis: o There are advantages and disadvantages to using statistics. (a fill-in-the-blank formula) ●Revised theses: o Careful manipulation of data allows a researcher to use statistics to support any claim she desires. o In order to ensure accurate reporting, journalists must understand the real significance of the statistics they report. o Because advertisers consciously and unconsciously manipulate data, every consumer should learn how to evaluate statistical claims.

So basically... ●be clear ●be specific ●be focused ●be original ●be strong

For AP Essays ●Think about what you are asked to do and how you will do it; use this as your thesis. ●Your thesis should be in the introduction ●Your thesis still should be focused, original, clear, specific, and strong.

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