What is a thesis statement? By Marcia Jensen February 2006 With help from Joyce Valenza

A thesis statement is a very important sentence that gives your research a focus.

topic questions tentative thesis Process for developing the thoughtful thesis

Why, a thesis? A thesis statement declares what you believe and what you intend to prove. A thesis statement provides the reader with a map to guide him/her through your work.

How will you find a thesis? Appreciation: ReadWatch Listen And as you do…

Look for… Interesting contrasts or comparisons or patterns emerging in the information Interesting contrasts or comparisons or patterns emerging in the information

Look for… Something about the topic that surprises you Something about the topic that surprises you

Look for… Ideas that make you wonder why? Ideas that make you wonder why?

Look for… Priorities you can weigh Priorities you can weigh

Look for… Something an "expert" says make you respond, "no way! That can be right!" or "Yes, absolutely. I agree!"

Purdue Thought Starters

What does a thesis look like? 3 Ts: Topic + ‘Tude’ = Thesis Specific topic + Attitude/Angle/Argument = Thesis OR What you plan to argue + How you plan to argue it = Your thesis

Attributes of a good thesis: Contestable--proposes an argument with which people could reasonably disagree Contestable--proposes an argument with which people could reasonably disagree Provocative--takes a stand and justifies the discussion you will present. Provocative--takes a stand and justifies the discussion you will present. Coverable--could be adequately covered in the format of the project assigned. Coverable--could be adequately covered in the format of the project assigned. Specific and focused--proves a point without discussing “everything in the world about …” Specific and focused--proves a point without discussing “everything in the world about …” Provable-- asserts your own conclusion based on solid evidence. Provable-- asserts your own conclusion based on solid evidence.

I have a thesis. Where do I put it? The thesis statement is typically located at the end of your opening paragraph. (The opening paragraph serves to set the context for the thesis.)

How do I know if I have a solid tentative thesis?

Don’t rush your thesis! A good tentative thesis will help you focus your search for information. You must do a lot of background reading before you know enough about a subject to identify the key or essential questions. You may not know how you stand on an issue until you have examined the evidence. You will likely begin your research with a working, preliminary or tentative thesis which you will continue to refine until you are certain of where the evidence leads.

Be flexible! The evidence may lead you to a conclusion you didn't think you'd reach. It is perfectly okay to change your thesis!

1.Does the thesis inspire a reasonable reader to ask, "How?" or Why?“ 2.Would a reasonable reader NOT respond with "Duh!" or "So what?" or "Gee, no kidding!" or "Who cares?“ 3.Does the thesis avoid general phrasing and/or sweeping words such as "all" or "none" or "every"? 4.Do the subtopics support the thesis? 5.Can the thesis be adequately developed in the required length of the paper or project? Try these five tests on your own tentative thesis:

If you cannot answer "YES" to these questions, you must make some changes in order for your thesis to pass these tests!

Are these good thesis statements? (Use the five tests to decide.) Terrorism should not happen. Terrorism should not happen. The use of television helped John Kennedy win election in The use of television helped John Kennedy win election in The causes of the Civil War were economic, social, and political. The causes of the Civil War were economic, social, and political.

Are these good thesis statements? (Use the five tests to decide.) The Simpsons represents the greatest animated show in the history of television. The Simpsons represents the greatest animated show in the history of television. Constant dieting is one of the culprits in the so-called obesity epidemic. Constant dieting is one of the culprits in the so-called obesity epidemic.

Thanks to… Purdue University Online Writing Lab. “Planning (Invention): Thought Starters (Asking the Right Questions)”. The OWL at Purdue. Purdue University. 22 Feb University of Michigan School of Information. "A+ Research and Writing for High School and College Students." Internet Public Library TeenSpace. 21 Jan The Regents of the University of Michigan. 17 Feb Valenza, Joyce. “Developing a Thesis” Online Virtual Library. 1 Feb Springfield Township Library. 22 Feb Valenza, Joyce. Thoughtful Research: Moving Beyond the Topic. Wiley Publishing. “Write a Thesis Statement.” Cliff’s Notes. 22 Feb