Critical Lens Remarks

Writing a thesis statement  Your thesis should be clear and present the topic of your paper as well as your stance on the topic.  It should be a “road map” to your paper and be specific to the topic you will discuss.  A thesis does not just announce topic; it must reveal your position on the topic,  DO NOT use “I” anywhere in your essay, but especially not in your thesis.  A thesis statement usually appears as the last sentence of your introduction.

After you interpret and agree w/ the quote, you introduce the literary works, then your thesis. This is NOT just writing the works and the quote again. A thesis is a point you’re trying to prove.  Under-developed: The Crucible and Antigone both support the idea that there is a solution to every problem.  More developed: By having characters who have a strong moral sense to what is right, Rebecca Nurse and Antigone use their conflicts to enable them to find solutions in the face of adversity.  More developed: The themes of racism and vengeance exemplified in both texts prove that the setting is directly responsible for the tragic outcomes of Jefferson and John Proctor.

Further Thesis Examples:  Original thesis: There are serious objections to today's horror movies.  Revised thesis: Due to the fact that modern cinematic techniques have allowed filmmakers to get more graphic, horror flicks have desensitized young American viewers to violence.  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

Thesis Examples Continued…  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

Critical Lens Remarks Writing strong statements  Make STRONG statements related to and in support of your argument.  Include specific details instead of being vague Incorrect/Under- developed: “These stories show how not all problems have solutions.” <- Too vague…can be applied to anything!  More developed: Through the characterization of John Proctor and the conflicts faced by Antigone, it is evident that many of life’s problems do not have favorable or realistic solutions.

Do NOT gloss over details. You must provide specific examples.  Incorrect: Romeo and Juliet could not be together so they killed themselves.  Correct: The conflict between Romeo and Tybalt becomes heated when Tybalt kills Romeo’s best friend Mercutio. This leads Romeo to kill Tybalt, thus resulting in him being banished by the prince. A series of miscommunications lead Romeo and Juliet to commit suicide while they tragically believe the other is dead.

Specific Examples:  Your examples must show that you can interpret a quote, find literary examples, identify a literary technique that is being used, and then explain how it either agrees with or refutes the quote.