How to Construct a Thesis TAMUC Writing Center

Pre Tips You can not write a thesis without understanding the prompt. You can not write a thesis without knowing the material. You can start by answering the question in your head or on paper. You can also take notes. but wait…

WHAT IS A THESIS ?? The thesis statement is the sentence within the beginning part of a writing assignment that helps to control the main ideas in the paper. It is not just a simple theme or thematic statement. The thesis statement is an opinion or argument that a reader has made about an issue.

Quick Answer: What is life and death. Answer the question Example: What does Hamlet mean in the soliloquy where he states the infamous line, “To be, or not to be? That is the question.” Quick Answer: What is life and death.

Refine your answer What does Hamlet mean in the soliloquy where he states the infamous line, “To be, or not to be? That is the question.” Refined Answer: Hamlet discusses his observations about life and death.

Go with examples Literary devices – imagery, symbols, metaphors etc. Data – qualitative, quantitative Hamlet discusses his observations about life and death by using a series of rhetorical questioning devices to suggest that death is a form of sleep.

Go deeper By asking questions how so? So what? Why is this important? Hamlet discusses his observations about life and death by using a series of rhetorical questioning devices to suggest that death is merely a form of sleep, which reveals his own fascinations of suicide and the true nature of his growing insanity.

What it means to argue an opinionated statement It is not enough to state a fact and argue a point over it. Could someone disagree with you? Choose one: Make a specific argument, rather than listing several topics in the thesis. Ex: Hamlet discusses his observations about life and death by using a series of rhetorical questioning devices, imagery, and symbolism to suggest that death is a form of sleep, which reveals his own fascinations of suicide and the true nature of his growing insanity X

So, who cares? Your audience is made up of the people who will/could want to read your paper. Only You Only your teacher and you Other teachers, students Professionals People who enjoy your topic

A good thesis statement is focused and not too broad A good thesis statement is focused and not too broad. X “Eating fast food is bad and should be avoided.” title

Y “Americans should eliminate the regular consumption of fast food because the fast food diet leads to preventable and expensive health issues, such as, diabetes and heart disease.” (Tepper)

A good argumentative thesis is centered on a debatable topic A good argumentative thesis is centered on a debatable topic. X “There are high numbers of homeless people living in Berkeley, California.”

Y “Homeless people in Berkeley should be given access to services, such as regular food donations, public restrooms, and camping facilities, because it would improve life for all inhabitants of the city.” (Tepper)

A good thesis statement picks a side X “Secondhand smoke is bad and can cause heart disease and cancer; therefore, smoking should be outlawed in public places, but outlawing smoking is unfair to smokers so maybe non-smokers can just hold their breath or wear maks around smokers instead.”

Y “Second hand smoke is just as harmful as smoking and leads to a higher prevalence of cancer and heart disease. What’s worse, people inhale secondhand smoke are doing so without consent. For this reason, smoking in any public place should be banned.” (Tepper)

A good thesis statement makes claims that will be supported later in the paper. X “Humans should relocate to Mars.”

Y “It is too late to save Earth; therefore, humans should immediately set a date for their relocation to Mars where, with proper planning, they can avoid issues of famine, war, and global warming.” (Tepper)

Q&A

Works Cited Tepper, Naomi. “10 Thesis Statement Examples to Inspire Your Next Argumentative Essay.” kbin.com, 14 July 2014, https:// www.kibin.com/essay-writing-blog/thesis-s tatement-examples/