Thesis Statement Examples Check the following for the key elements of a thesis (The Thesis Formula)

Which of these include proper Thesis Formula? Topic + Debatable Opinion Ebenezer Scrooge is forced to remember events of the past. Huck and Jim’s path toward friendship moves through three stages: the meeting, the challenge to survive, and love. Dickens repeats images of “hands” throughout the novel.

Which of these include proper Thesis Formula? Topic + Debatable Opinion Ebenezer Scrooge is forced to remember events of the past. (No debatable opinion) Huck and Jim’s path toward friendship moves through three stages: the meeting, the challenge to survive, and love. Dickens repeats images of “hands” throughout the novel. (No debatable opinion)

Which of these include proper Thesis Formula? Topic + Debatable Opinion 4. Huck and Jim experience several conflicts during their travel down the river. 5. There are many symbols in this novel. 6. Matthew Arnold uses a metaphor involving the sea in his poem.

Which of these include proper Thesis Formula? Topic + Debatable Opinion 4. Huck and Jim experience several conflicts during their travel down the river. 5. There are many symbols in this novel. Matthew Arnold uses a metaphor involving the sea in his poem. Not one of these includes a debatable opinion.

Let’s improve one: Incomplete Thesis: Ebenezer Scrooge is forced to remember events of the past. Better Thesis: Scrooge’s encounters with ghosts depict memory’s transformative power and force Scrooge to reflect on his crimes against his fellow man.

Let’s improve another: Incomplete Thesis: Matthew Arnold uses a metaphor involving the sea in his poem. Better Thesis: Matthew Arnold uses the sea metaphor to develop critical commentary about the Victorian Age, a time in which man is isolated and lacks religious conviction, a situation which can only be rectified with love.

Now you try it Incomplete Thesis: Janie goes on a journey in Hurston’s Their Eyes were Watching God. Incomplete Thesis: Brave New World depicts a dystopian society.

After the thesis, what’s next? Organizing the Evidence Creating Topic Sentences

Organize the evidence (the details, diction, and imagery) Look for patterns in the evidence that help you decide how to group your evidence The typical organizations are as follows: Time (chronological) Place or setting in the text Idea (such as by definition of concept – evil, justice, fatherhood -- or by comparison or relationship)

Create Topic Sentences Write Topic Sentences to support your thesis statement, that will be backed up by the evidence you gathered. Topic Sentence (TS) = Organizing Element + Aspect of Thesis TS ≠ Plot detail only Ex: Piggy discovers the conch near the lagoon in Chapter One. (Not a topic sentence b/c it is simply a plot detail)

Example: Organized by Time (chronology) Thesis: The conch in Lord of the Flies represents the decay of order and civilization. TS1: In chapter one, the conch is discovered and revered for its power to organize the community of children. TS2: In chapter three, the conch shows signs of losing its civilizing power. TS3: In chapter six,… Note: Bold words demonstrate the organization style; underlined words are the glue tying the TS to the thesis.

Example: Organized by Place (location/setting) Thesis: In The Scarlett Letter, Hester models the emotional strength uncharacteristic of a stereotypical seventeenth century woman. TS1: Exiting the prison door, Hester’s demeanor shows the reader her assertiveness. TS2: At the governor's house, Hester forcefully displays her confidence. TS3: …(or more)

Example: Organized by Idea (Aristotle) In his play Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare examines the dark heart of “fair Verona,” a community whose leaders fail to act in a decisive and forthright manner. TS1: The political leader of Verona, Prince Escalus, “winks” at the discord in the community rather than acting immediately to resolve the escalating hostilities. TS2: The spiritual head of Verona, Friar Laurence, concocts a solution to the crisis that requires deception and secrecy, two features ensuring disaster. TS3…

Identify the “Word Glue” (the words that tie the TS to the thesis) Thesis: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee focuses the attention of the astute reader on Scout’s growth as she transforms from a carefree child into a true lady, one who is a lady at heart, not just a lady in appearance. TS1: As Scout’s father, Atticus plays a pivotal role in teaching her important values that a true lady must possess. TS2: In addition to Atticus’ lessons, Miss Maudie Atkinson, Scout’s influential neighbor, helps her grow up to be a true lady. TS3: Contradictory values of character and appearance confront Scout as she becomes a lady of character.

Identify the “Word Glue” (the words that tie the TS to the thesis) Thesis: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee focuses the attention of the astute reader on Scout’s growth as she transforms from a carefree child into a true lady, one who is a lady at heart, not just a lady in appearance. TS1: As Scout’s father, Atticus plays a pivotal role in teaching her important values that a true lady must possess. TS2: In addition to Atticus’ lessons, Miss Maudie Atkinson, Scout’s influential neighbor, helps her grow up to be a true lady. TS3: Contradictory values of character and appearance confront Scout as she becomes a lady of character.

Identify the “Word Glue” (the words that tie the TS to the thesis) Thesis: In Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare’s skillful use of imagery borrowed from the world of nature paints a vivid portrait of the emotional and physical make up of mankind. TS1: Various light images taken from nature reveal Juliet’s brilliant beauty and suggest her growing fears. TS2: Shakespeare’s ingenious utilization of bird imagery creates a lucid picture of man’s physical qualities. TS3: Shakespeare also uses bird imagery to portray man’s emotional characteristics. TS4: The use of other animal imagery produces a clear model of the complex emotional nature of man.

Identify the “Word Glue” (the words that tie the TS to the thesis) Thesis: In Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare’s skillful use of imagery borrowed from the world of nature paints a vivid portrait of the emotional and physical make up of mankind. TS1: Various light images taken from nature reveal Juliet’s brilliant beauty and suggest her growing fears. TS2: Shakespeare’s ingenious utilization of bird imagery creates a lucid picture of man’s physical qualities. TS3: Shakespeare also uses bird imagery to portray man’s emotional characteristics. TS4: The use of other animal imagery produces a clear model of the complex emotional nature of man.

How many paragraphs? I cannot answer that for you. I can say that many college instructors are anti 5-paragraph essays, although I have yet to hear one articulate why. You must decide how many paragraphs are needed to prove or illustrate your argument (thesis). Each aspect of your thesis will be equivalent to one or more paragraphs