The Thesis Developed by: Lindsay McNiff Welcome to the iSchool’s instructional video on the thesis. This video was developed by Lindsay McNiff, revised by Navroop Gill and Anna Standish, re-designed and narrated by Victoria McAuley, and based on the template by Brenna Pladsen. Developed by: Lindsay McNiff Revised by: Navroop Gill and Anna Standish Re-designed and Narrated by: Victoria McAuley Template by Brenna Pladsen

What is a Thesis? An argument or claim that your paper will be supporting A specific statement that will: indicate a basis for your argument demonstrate how you will support your claim A thesis is an argument or claim with which one can reasonably disagree. It’s a specific statement that will indicate a basis for your argument, and demonstrate how you will support your claim throughout the body of your essay.

Before You Begin Before you begin…

Understand Your Paper Your thesis should be tailored to the style of paper you write Different types of paper have different requirements: You need to understand your paper. Your thesis should be tailored to the style of paper that you’re writing. Different types of papers have different requirements, for example:

Understand Your Paper Your thesis should be tailored to the style of paper you write Different types of paper have different requirements: Argumentative papers need to present a unique argument Comparative papers need to compare two, or more works Interpretive papers need to demonstrate your insight Argumentative papers need to present a unique argument, while comparative papers need to compare two or more works, and interpretive papers need to demonstrate your unique insights into a topic

Understand Your Paper Your thesis should be tailored to the style of paper you write Different types of paper have different requirements: Argumentative papers need to present a unique argument Comparative papers need to compare two, or more works Interpretive papers need to demonstrate your unique insight You can learn more about academic papers, here: http://advice.writing.utoronto.ca/types-of-writing/

Research Your research is also informed by your style of paper/argument If you already have a working thesis, let it guide your research If not, try creating guiding questions based on your paper topic Your research style is also informed by your style of paper or argument. If you already have a working thesis, you can let it guide your research. If not, try creating guiding questions based on your paper topic.

Research Your research is also informed by your style of paper/argument If you already have a working thesis, let it guide your research If not, try creating guiding questions based on your paper topic For help with research, visit: https://onesearch.library.utoronto.ca/research http://advice.writing.utoronto.ca/researching/ https://inforum.library.utoronto.ca/research

Brainstorm Brainstorming helps you format your ideas as you research It can help you retain information, and construct your thesis Everyone brainstorms differently Try using a mind map, a list, a voice memo, or a skeleton outline Brainstorming can help you format your ideas as you research. A good brainstorm can help you retain information, and construct your thesis. Everyone brainstorms different, but you can try using a mindmap, list, voice memo, or skeleton outline.

Brainstorm Brainstorming helps you format your ideas as you research It can help you retain information, and construct your thesis . Everyone brainstorms differently Try using a mind map, a list, a voice memo, or a skeleton outline For help organizing your ideas, visit: http://advice.writing.utoronto.ca/planning/organizing/

Working Thesis Create a working/draft thesis It outlines your main idea & can be adapted as you write It doesn’t have to be perfect This practice leads to the creation of a stronger final thesis After you’ve researched and brainstormed, try creating a working thesis. A working thesis outlines your main ideas, and can be adapted as you write. It doesn’t have to be perfect, just good enough to start writing. This practice leads to the creation of a stronger final thesis.

Working Thesis Create a working/draft thesis It outlines your main idea & can be adapted as you write It doesn’t have to be perfect This practice leads to the creation of a stronger final thesis For help writing a working thesis, visit: http://advice.writing.utoronto.ca/planning/thesis-statements/

Writing Your Paper Now it’s time to write your paper

Your 1st Paragraph Should Introduce your topic Give context for your argument Mention any relevant framing literature The first paragraph of your essay should introduce your topic, give context to your argument, mention any relevant framing literature…

Your 1st Paragraph Should Introduce your topic Give context for your argument Mention any relevant framing literature Present your thesis And present your thesis.

Your Thesis Should Explain what your paper will argue Describe how you will form your argument Act as a map for your reader Outline your points Be appropriately specific, and complex Your thesis should explain what your paper will argue, describe how you will form your argument, act as a map for your reader, outline your point, and be appropriately specific, and complex.

Body & Supporting Paragraphs Thesis The thesis tells the reader what to expect Body & Supporting Paragraphs Your thesis tells the reader what to expect, …

Body & Supporting Paragraphs Thesis The thesis tells the reader what to expect The body of the essay fulfills the promise made by the thesis Each paragraph supports or elaborates on the thesis Body & Supporting Paragraphs The body of the essay fulfils the promise made by the thesis, and each paragraph supports or elaborates on the thesis.

Does this paragraph support my thesis? Ask Yourself When writing your paper, ask yourself: does this paragraph support my thesis? If not, you may need to re-write, or remove the paragraph. Does this paragraph support my thesis?

Examine this Thesis Statement Young adults are underserved by public libraries* Examine this Thesis Statement Examine this thesis statement: Young adults are underserved by public libraries

Examine this Thesis Statement Young adults are underserved by public libraries* Examine this Thesis Statement *This thesis statement does not provide enough detail, and is not sufficiently argumentative This thesis statement does not provide enough detail, and is not sufficiently argumentative for a graduate level essay.

Examine this Thesis Statement Public libraries have a mission to provide equitable access to services; however, young adults are traditionally underserved by these institutions. Participation in civil leadership activities is a key factor that contributes to the successful development of young adults, therefore, public libraries should provide civic- minded programming for young adults as an essential service.* Now, examine the revised thesis statement on the slide above.

Examine this Thesis Statement Public libraries have a mission to provide equitable access to services; however, young adults are traditionally underserved by these institutions. Participation in civil leadership activities is a key factor that contributes to the successful development of young adults, therefore, public libraries should provide civic- minded programming for young adults as an essential service.* *This thesis statement provides sufficient context, detail, and argument This thesis statement provides sufficient context, detail, and argument for a graduate level paper.

Don’t Do Constrain yourself to one sentence Make your thesis your first sentence Wait to perfect your thesis before you start writing Panic Use a few sentences to explain your point clearly Orient your reader with an introduction Edit your working thesis as you write Break the process into small steps When writing your thesis statement: Don’t constrain yourself to one sentence. Use a few sentences to explain your point clearly Don’t make your thesis your first sentence. Orient your reader with an introduction. Don’t wait to perfect your thesis before you start writing. Instead, edit your working thesis as you write. Most of all, don’t panic! Break the essay-writing process into small, manageable steps, and reach out for help if you need it.

The University of Toronto has programs that can help! Still Feeling Stuck? The University of Toronto has programs that can help! The Writing Centre http://advice.writing.utoronto.ca/planning/thesis-statements/ Graduate Centre for Academic Communication (CGAC) https://www.sgs.utoronto.ca/currentstudents/Pages/GCAC.aspx The Academic Success Centre http://www.studentlife.utoronto.ca/asc/writing The Inforum Website https://inforum.library.utoronto.ca/workshops/orientation If you’re still feeling stuck, visit the links on the slide in front of you.