Thesis Statements 101 Adapted from “Thesis Statements in Literary Analysis Papers,” by Brian Yothers

Thesis Statement Basics Makes an argument Answers the prompt (if there is one)

Thesis Statement Details Announcement of the analytical argument you intend to prove in your essay Foundation: if your foundation is weak and poorly constructed, your essay will fall apart Should be placed somewhere in the Introduction of your paper (many like it as the last sentence)

Effective Thesis Statements Provoke thought Read beautifully

Anatomy WHAT: What claim are you making about the text? How does the author demonstrate his/her insight/theme? WHY: Why is your claim important? (this is where we see the insight and/or theme of the work; think ‘so what?’)

Examples Rudolfo Anaya’s Bless Me, Ultima is about how people grow up. What’s wrong?

Examples Rudolfo Anaya’s Bless Me, Ultima is about how people grow up. An observation about the book, not an argument

Examples In Bless Me Ultima, Ultima’s relationship with nature teaches Tony about life. Better? How so? What is still missing?

Examples In Bless Me Ultima, Ultima’s relationship with nature teaches Tony about life. Doesn’t answer the ‘so what?’ question. What is the point of a relationship with nature? What insight do we get?

Examples Through Ultima’s relationship with nature, Tony learns truth can be found by removing oneself from the influences of society and seeking understanding in the quiet of nature. Even better?

Examples Through Ultima’s relationship with nature, Tony learns truth can be found by removing oneself from the influences of society and seeking understanding in the quiet of nature. This presents an interpretation of a literary work based on an analysis of its content and it answers the ‘so what?’ question.

Examples What? Through Ultima’s relationship with nature Tony learns Why? truth can be found by removing oneself from the influences of society and seeking understanding in the quiet of nature.

Pitfalls… Making an observation rather than an argument Stating the obvious Not being specific enough about the insight (keep asking ‘so what?’ ‘how so?’ ‘why?’) Using ‘to be’ verbs

After you create a working thesis… Collect evidence Organize evidence Draft topic sentences Outline essay Draft essay Revise and edit essay