WRITING A THESIS STATEMENT Refresher Course

What is it?  Thesis Statement is just that—  A statement, NOT a question  It gives the Main Idea of the Essay  STATE THE MAIN IDEA AS A FACT  (even though it is your analysis- you will prove it with evidence)

The Thesis Statement  We could also call it a CLAIM that you will spend the rest of the essay proving with supporting details.

Don’t be obvious! You will be in trouble if you write the following...  In this essay I will be writing about…  This essay will prove…  The topic of this essay will be… Do NOT write these If you do, I will know you were not listening! I will hunt you down. I have a very particular set of skills, skills that I have …

You should not have to tell the reader what you are about to say. SHOW don’t TELL If your ideas and organization are strong-

Thesis is not the topic. The thesis states your interpretation, analysis or opinion on the topic  Writers use specific wording to create empathy in their readers.  John Bain allows his readers to empathize with the character in The Last Sunset through an expert use of dramatic irony, foreshadowing and his unique choice of narrator. A topic, NOT a thesisSpecific thesis statement

Thesis identifies your subtopics They should be in the same order in body paragraphs as they are in thesis statement.  Example--  John Bain allows his readers to empathize with the character in The Last Sunset through an expert use of dramatic irony, foreshadowing and his unique choice of narrator.

Where is thesis statement found?  At the end of Introductory Paragraph  Doing so lets your reader know the focus of the paper up front and creates an organized, predictable structure.  Organized, clear communication = Powerful communication

The author uses dramatic irony, foreshadowing and revealing personal details to make you feel empathy. Good

John Bain uses the techniques of dramatic irony, foreshadowing, and revealing personal details very efficiently to make you feel empathy for the characters throughout the whole book. Better

John Bain allows his readers to empathize with the character in The Last Sunset through an expert use of dramatic irony, foreshadowing, and careful development of complex characters. Best