Thesis Statements Definition Examples Non-Examples Attributes Your Background Knowledge

So, what’s the big deal? Thesis Statement Cause & Effect: Because of a weak thesis (foundation), a paper… As a result of a strong thesis (foundation), a paper… Thesis Statement

Thesis Statements The thesis statement tells the reader: 1 what the essay will be about (the topic) 2 what point you, the author, will be proving (the argument) The two parts of the thesis statement look something like this: The first part states the topic: -In poem 1 and poem 2, the author develops the theme…. -In poems 1 and 2, the author uses different techniques (Insert specifics)…. -Author 1 and author 2 develop the theme of _________... -In “The Bridegroom” and another ballad, Pushkin and the second author… 2. The second part states the point of your essay, the point you are trying to prove: -by using some different techniques (Insert specific techniques here). -to make some point. -by using different techniques (Insert specifics).___________ -use different techniques to develop the story.

EQUATION Think about this equation as you ask questions and move toward a tentative thesis: Specific topic + Your Attitude/Angle/Argument = Thesis Topic Your Argument About the Topic The recent rise in violent crimes among teen-agers can be traced to their widespread, unsupervised use of violent videogames.

Thesis Equation Becomes Sentence “Formula”: I am writing about_____________, and I am going to argue, show, or prove ___________.

Example #1: Using the thesis “formula”: For example, a sentence might be: I am going to write about senior citizens who volunteer at literacy projects, and I am going to show that they are physically and mentally invigorated by the responsibility of volunteering. Next, refine the sentence so that it is consistent with your style and removes the first person I: Senior citizens who volunteer at literacy projects are invigorated physically and mentally by the responsibility of volunteering. This revision becomes a thesis statement for your project. For a comparison/contrast paper, however, you need to go one step further to indicate the structure of your argument: Compared to senior citizens who do not participate in any volunteering activity, those who volunteer at literacy projects are invigorated physically and mentally by the responsibility of volunteering.

Example #2: Using the thesis formula First, read this sentence that includes both topic and focusing comment: I am going to write about how Plato and Sophocles understand the proper role of women in Greek society, and I am going to argue that though they remain close to traditional ideas about women, the authors also introduce some revolutionary views which increase women's place in society. Now read the refined sentence, consistent with your style: When examining the role of women in society, Plato and Sophocles remain close to traditional ideas about women's duties and capabilities in society; however, the authors also introduce some revolutionary views which increase women's place in society. For a comparison-contrast paper: When examining the role of women in society, Plato and Sophocles remain close to traditional ideas about women's duties and capabilities in society; however, the authors also introduce some revolutionary views which increase women's place in society. While Plato argues his position philosophically, Sophocles moves beyond speculation to demonstrate in the character of Antigone a woman's ability to take action. As you write, refer back to your working thesis often to make sure you are following the route you established at the beginning. But remember, thesis statements can always be rewritten while revising; just be sure that the body of the paper reflects your thesis in both content and organization.

Criteria for Judgment 1. Answers the Question 2 Criteria for Judgment 1. Answers the Question 2. Not a Mere Fact or Opinion 3. ARGUABLE and DEBATABLE 4. SPECIFIC, Not General 5. Passes “So What?” Test 6. Passes “Why?” / “How?” Test

1. Answers the Question Re-reading the question prompt after constructing a working thesis can help you fix an argument that misses the focus of the question. Question: How does the author use different literary techniques to create the same theme in two poems? Bad Example: Wordsworth uses personification, imagery, and personification in one poem and metaphor, imagery, and diction in another one. Good Example: Wordsworth uses personification, imagery, and personification in one poem and metaphor, imagery, and diction in another one to develop the same theme.

2. Not a Mere Fact or Opinion Check to see that your thesis is (a) not already a proven fact that anyone could state/open the book and see, and (b) not an unverifiable opinion. Avoid the obvious. Question: How does the author use different literary techniques to make some point in both of the poems? Bad Example: De La Fontaine uses tone, connotative language and dialogue in both”The Boy and the Schoolmaster” and “The Council Held by Rats.” Good Example: De La Fontaine uses tone, connotative language, and dialogue in both ”The Boy and the Schoolmaster” and “The Council Held by Rats” to reveal that those who talk the most are actually inferior to those who say little.

3. ARGUABLE and DEBATABLE You must take a firm stand on a debatable issue. If there is no “other side” to your thesis, no opposing side that anyone would—or could—challenge, then you don’t have a thesis. You must feel like somebody could sit and debate your thesis with you. If no one would—or could—disagree with what you are saying, then you probably are just giving a summary or restatement of plot, and not an actual thesis sentence. Don’t be a wimp; you’re allowed to put forth new opinions on these old classics! Question: How do Wordsworth and Blake create the same theme in their poems? Bad Example: Wordsworth and Blake both use nature and animal imagery in their poems.  UNARGUABLE! UNDEBATABLE! NO POSSIBLE WAY! Good Example: Wordsworth and Blake, through their poems, use nature and animal imagery to create metaphorical statements about life.

4. SPECIFIC, Not General Vague, general theses are really not theses because they’re impossible to support. You couldn’t possibly provide all the evidence that you would need to in order to support such a big, huge, broad statement. Question: How does Baudelaire use elements of his trip to India in several different poems? Bad Example: Baudelaire writes about seafaring in both “Invitation to the Voyage” and “The Albatross”. Good Example: Baudelaire writes about seafaring experiences gained from his voyage to India in both “Invitation to the Voyage” and “The Albatross” to express his disappointment about life.

5. Passes the “So What?” Test If your reader looks at your thesis and immediately thinks to him or herself, “Mmm….So what?”, then you have not done your job. You have inspired no debate, you have inspired no argument, and you have inspired nobody to see the importance of what you have to say. BE PROVOCATIVE! Question: How does De La Fontaine mock the age of reason in his fables? Bad Example: In his fables “The Boy and the Schoolmaster” and “The Wolf and the Lamb”, De La Fontaine writes in a derisive manner . Good Example: In his fables “The Boy and the Schoolmaster” and “The Wolf and the Lamb”, De La Fontaine mocks the rational speeches of both the schoolmaster and the lamb by ridiculing them.

6. Passes the “Why?” / “How?” Test If a reader’s first response is, “How?” or “Why?”,then your thesis is too open-ended and lacks guidance for the reader. See what you can add to give your reader a better take on your position right from the beginning. Question: How does passion versus responsibility play a part in Swift’s “Modest Proposal” and Dante’s “Inferno”? Bad Example: Swift and Dante develop contrasts between those who choose passion and those who choose responsibility. Good Example: By using elevated language and sensory imagery to paint overly-extreme consequences for elevating pleasure above duty, Swift and Dante develop contrasts between those who choose passion and those who choose responsibility in order to inspire wayward souls to renew their neglected obligations.

Applying the 6 Criteria: Question: Why are greeting cards important to society? Topic: Greeting Cards (+) Argument about them: They show how things have changed. “Working” thesis: Greeting cards show how things have changed. Think to self: Hmm…I answered the question about the significance of the cards, but my sentence isn’t specific or very debatable right now. I need to narrow it, tell “so what,” and explain “how” the cards show these changes. I know that greeting cards have been around for a long time in many countries, and the American ones are the ones I’m most familiar with. The “things” that have changed are aspects of society. Getting more specific: Greeting cards reflect the changes in 20th century American society. Think: Hmm…I still have to add the “why” or “how,” because that will help with the “so what.” Example: In their words, artwork, and reasons for being given, greeting cards reflect major changes in twentieth century American society—changes which speak to an increasingly materialistic society. .

Huck Finn Examples Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn is a great American novel. In Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain develops a contrast between life on the river and life on the shore. Through its contrasting river and shore scenes, Twain's Huckleberry Finn suggests that to find the true expression of American democratic ideals, one must leave "civilized" society and go back to nature.

INDEPENDENT PRACTICE Now, you try! Topics & Bad Theses (THEY NEED YOUR HELP!!!) TOPIC: body piercing BAD: Body piercing is popular among kids nowadays. BETTER: Body piercing among contemporary youth represents the latest form of rebelling against authority, an idea that previous generations manifested in smoking, getting tattoos, and wearing mini-skirts. TOPIC: female musicians BAD: Female musicians are getting more popular. BETTER: During the past five years, musical artists like Sheryl Crow, Alanis Morisette, and Jewel have solidified a place for women's music on the top ten charts by focusing on lyrics championing the idea of the invincible woman. TOPIC: news coverage of military action BAD: News coverage of military actions undermines their seriousness. BETTER: By featuring highlights of air strikes and peace-keeping missions on the news, television producers reduce them to the status of popular entertainment and undermine the audience's appreciation of the seriousness of military actions.

Now, write your Mini-EE thesis!!!