Developing a thesis statement

Defining the Thesis Statement What is a thesis statement? Every paper you write should have a main point, a main idea, or central message. The argument(s) you make in your paper should reflect this main idea. The sentence that captures your position on this main idea is what we call a thesis statement.

A thesis helps you and your reader. How? Your design for writing: determines your focus and clarifies your ideas. support your topic sentences. can be revised during writing process. New evidence requires you to change your thesis. gives your paper a unified structure and point.

reader’s plan for reading: Serves as a "map" to follow. Keeps the reader focused on your argument. Signals to the reader your main points. Engages the reader in your argument.

How long does it need to be? A thesis statement focuses your ideas into one or two sentences. It should present the topic of your paper and also make a comment about your position in relation to the topic.

Questions when preparing your thesis 1. Where is your thesis statement? In order to write a successful thesis statement: Avoid burying a great thesis statement in the middle of a paragraph or late in the paper.  

Be as clear and as specific as possible; avoid vague words. Indicate the point of your paper but avoid sentence structures like, “The point of my paper is…”

2. 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).

Ask yourself 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 Would a subordinating conjunction help (i.e. "through," "although," "because," "since") to signal a relationship between the two sentences?

Your thesis statement should tell your reader what the paper is about and also help guide your writing and keep your argument focused.

When you choose a topic, you need to write a statement which summarizes the main idea you want to discuss in your research. This statement carries the controlling idea of the whole paper

The thesis statement should be: Brief: a generalization in one or more sentences that explain what you intend to write about giving proof and offering detailed development.

Or do the two statements imply an unfocused thesis? If so, settle on one single focus and then proceed with further development.

Is your thesis statement too general? Your thesis should be limited to what can be accomplished in the specified number of pages.

Compare Original thesis: Revised theses: There are serious objections to today's horror movies. Revised theses: Because modern cinematic techniques have allowed filmmakers to get more graphic, horror flicks have desensitized young American viewers to violence. The pornographic violence in "bloodbath" slasher movies degrades both men and women. Today's slasher movies fail to deliver the emotional catharsis that 1930s horror films did.

Thesis should be Specific: the thesis statement sharpens your focus on the main point which you want to discuss when searching, thinking and writing. It can also tell your reader what to expect.

Tentative (you can modify it): it can be rewritten during the process of writing. This modification may result from reading and searching resources.

Clear: it should not include very general or vague adjectives like good, interesting or unusual.

Example 1 Topic The importance of using short stories in teaching English Thesis Teaching short stories to children learning English can be a multi-purpose activity. Listening to and reading short stories can develop the children’s imaginative, linguistic and social abilities. Comment This statement clearly indicates the purpose, which is developing the children’s three abilities.

Example 2 Topic Is king Lear responsible for his tragedy? Thesis Although many critics consider king Lear responsible for his tragedy, it seems fair to say that he is a victim of his daughters ingratitude. Comment In addition to expressing his attitude to king Lear, the writer is expressing to argue and prove how king Lear is responsible for his tragedy.

Example 3 Topic The Old Man and the Sea: a heroic novel about several themes Thesis The Old Man and the Sea is a tale about an old fisherman and a young boy whose relationship and actions represent three main themes: bravery, friendship, and Christian beliefs. Comment This paper tells the reader how the two characters ,actions embody these themes. That is, how their actions reflect bravery, friendship, and Christian beliefs.

More thesis statement examples 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

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 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.

Unspecific thesis: "Eleanor Roosevelt was a strong leader as First Lady."  This thesis lacks an argument. Why was Eleanor Roosevelt a strong leader?

Specific thesis: "Eleanor Roosevelt recreated the role of the First Lady by her active political leadership in the Democratic Party, by lobbying for national legislation, and by fostering women’s leadership in the Democratic Party."  The second thesis has an argument: Eleanor Roosevelt "recreated" the position of First Lady, and a three-part structure with which to demonstrate just how she remade the job.

Unspecific thesis: "At the end of the nineteenth century French women lawyers experienced difficulty when they attempted to enter the legal profession."  No historian could argue with this general statement and uninteresting thesis.

Specific thesis: "At the end of the nineteenth century French women lawyers experienced misogynist attacks from male lawyers when they attempted to enter the legal profession because male lawyers wanted to keep women out of judgeships."  This thesis statement asserts that French male lawyers attacked French women lawyers because they feared women as judges, an intriguing and controversial point.

In each of the following sets, there is a weak statement In each of the following sets, there is a weak statement. Circle it and give reasons.

1. It has been recognized that Shakespeare is a great dramatist. 2. The universal themes discussed in Shakespeare’s tragedies have made his works known world-wide. Reasons for your choice: ……………………………………………………………………………………………..

1. Reading poetry can be useful for English majors in different ways. 2. Reading poetry can improve English majors’ analytic and linguistics skills. Reasons: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

1. In addition to using middle English vocabulary and syntax, the use of culturally based allusions and proverbs makes Shakespeare’s language challenging to many foreign language learners. 2. Many foreign language students find Shakespeare’s language difficult to understand. Reasons: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Rewrite the following thesis statements in a clearer way

The following paper will examine why I choose to join the English Department. Studying the course “Advanced Writing” seems to be useful in many ways. There are many difference between American English and British English.

Teaching short stories to children can improve many of their skills and abilities. Teaching literature to English students can improve their language.