“Like lawyers in a jury trial, writers must convince audiences of the validity of their argument by using evidence effectively.” Indiana University, Writing Program The Thesis Statement

Two Requirements for the Thesis Statement Makes a promise to the reader Need a tentative, “working” thesis early in writing 

Working Thesis Has Two Parts Topic part Comment part

Example: Recent studies of depression suggest that it is much more closely related to physiology than scientists had previously thought. What is the topic? What is the comment?

Example: The current health care crisis arises from three major causes. What is the topic? What is the comment?

Three Characteristics of a Successful Working Thesis Potentially interesting to the intended audience Is as specific as possible Limits the topic enough to make it manageable  

Preliminary working thesis. . . Theories about global warming are being debated around the world.

Is it interesting? The topic itself holds interest, but it seems to have no real comment attached to it. The thesis merely states a bare fact, and the only place to go from here is to more bare facts.

Is it specific? The thesis is not specific. Who is debating these theories? What is at issue in this debate?

Is it manageable? The thesis is not manageable; it would require research on global warming in many countries.

Evaluate This thesis can be narrowed by the addition of a stronger comment and a sharper focus.

Revised working thesis. . . Scientists from several countries have challenged global-warming theories, claiming that they are more propaganda than science.  

Review A working or preliminary thesis gets you started A thesis is a statement; make sure to state it that way A thesis statement can be narrowed The result of a more narrow thesis statement is that your reading and note-taking become much more focused A clear, specific thesis results in a better essay