Everything You Wanted To Know About Thesis Statements* *But Were Afraid To Ask

What is a Thesis Statement? A one- or two-sentence condensation of the argument or analysis that is to follow

Why Do I Need One? to test your ideas by distilling them into a sentence or two to better organize and develop your argument to provide your reader with a "guide" to your argument you will accomplish these goals if you think of the thesis as the answer to the question your paper explores.

Good Thesis Statements express one main idea take on a subject upon which reasonable people could disagree deal with a subject that can be adequately treated given the nature of the assignment assert your conclusions about a subject [optional]

Purpose (cont.) should not be written until after the research for the paper has been done. can be more than one sentence. can, and should be, revised frequently during the writing process. based on evidence, not personal bias

Generation Brainstorm the topic Narrow the topic Take a position on the topic Use specific language Make an assertion based on clearly stated support

Bad thesis! No biscuit!

By Type The Discussion Thesis The Vague Comparison & Contrast Thesis The Grandiose Generalization Thesis The Desperately Hoping to Get on The Professor’s Good Side Thesis