A thesis is A promise to the reader… Serves as a “map” to follow through the paper. Helps the reader spot the main ideas. Offers enough detail for your reader to grasp your argument.
3 types of papers An analytical paper breaks down an issue or an idea into its component parts, evaluates the issue or idea, and presents this breakdown and evaluation to the audience. An expository (explanatory) paper explains something to the audience. An argumentative paper makes a claim about a topic and justifies this claim with specific evidence. Thesis can be argued.
Regardless of the Paper type- All thesis are similar. States an argument not too simple, yet not over two sentences. formal A Thesis explains: The topic- along with the How or why of the paper.
Weak vs. strong Answers a specific question Too Vague: Raises a topic but doesn’t specify an argument. Offers plot summary: statement of fact instead of an argument. Offers opinion rather than an argument (cannot be proven with textual evidence) Too complex- overuse of words. Answers a specific question Takes a distinct position on the topic Is debatable (a reasonable person could argue an alternative position) Allows your reader to anticipate the organization of your argument
A Thesis explains The topic along with the How or why McDonald’s advertising campaign for children reveals serious issues regarding the misrepresentation of the nutritional content of McDonald’s Happy Meals. McDonalds advertising is misleading.
A thesis must explain something to the reader. The life of the typical college student is characterized by time spent studying, attending class, and socializing with peers. The typical college student is busy.
Thesis statements must make a strong claim or argument An argumentative or persuasive piece of writing must begin with a debatable thesis or claim. Pollution is bad for the environment. At least 25 percent of the federal budget should be spent on limiting pollution. There are serious objections to today's horror movies. Because modern cinematic techniques have allowed filmmakers to get more graphic, horror flicks have desensitized young American viewers to violence. Today's slasher movies fail to deliver the emotional catharsis that 1930s horror films did.
Strong or weak? Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn is a great American novel. While both sides fought the Civil War over the issue of slavery, the North fought for moral reasons while the South fought to preserve its own institutions. This paper will address the characteristics of a good corporate manager. Although the timber wolf is actually a timid and gentle animal, it is being systematically exterminated because people wrongfully believe it to be a fierce and cold-blooded killer.
What makes a strong thesis? Before you develop a thesis on any topic, you have to collect and organize evidence, look for possible relationships between known facts (such as surprising contrasts or similarities), and think about the significance of these relationships. Once you do this thinking, you will probably have a “working thesis,” a basic or main idea, an argument that you think you can support with evidence but that may need adjustment along the way.
When you’re finished with your outline… Working thesis After research have a working thesis. THIS SHOULD BE A START… Map out your paper (Flee maps are great) Go back to the original thesis… Does it need fine tuning? When you’re finished with your outline… Revise your thesis so that it reflects what you’re really saying. OR Revise the rest of the paper so that it proves your thesis!
Write a working thesis statement from your homework. Map out your outline for a paper. Revisit… Go back to the thesis statement - does it match the outline? ….Make revisions… Write out the revised part… either on map outline or thesis. You would be ready to start your writing assignment at this point.