What it is? What is isn’t? THESIS STATEMENT

Definition: Your thesis is the basic stand you take, the opinion you express, the point you make about your limited subject. What is a limited subject? It is your exploration of a small part of your general subject. General SubjectLimited Subject EducationTeacher X PrejudiceInterracial marriages PoliticsPeople who don’t vote TelevisionCommerials THESIS STATEMENT

Your primary purpose is to persuade the reader that your thesis is valid. “A thesis is only a vibration in the brain until it is turned into words” (Skwire and Skwire 3). Examples: Professor X is a great teacher. Professor X is better at lecturing than at leading discussions. Community and diversity are essential elements of what is means to be an American. THESIS STATEMENT

Limited Subject  Professor X  People who don’t vote Thesis Statement  Professor X is a great teacher.  Not voting may sometimes be a responsible decision. THESIS STATEMENT

What a thesis statement isn’t?  Not a title  Not an announcement of the subject  Not an absolute fact  Not the whole essay THESIS STATEMENT

A good thesis is:  Restricted  Unified-Expresses a major idea about the subject  Specific WHAT IS A GOOD THESIS STATEMENT?

 Restricted The world is a terrible mess. Better The United Nations should be given more peace-keeping powers.  Not Specific James Joyce’s Ulysses is very good. Better James Joyce’s Ulysses helped created a new way for writers to deal with the unconscious. EXAMPLES