Crafting the Invitation for Research The Thesis Statement

The task takes time and careful consideration  The Thesis will answer your Controlling Question.  The Thesis will adopt a moderate position that you endorse as the writer.  The Thesis will invite the reader into your perspective on the topic.  Begin with a series of simple statements.

Thesis: Inviting the audience to understand a perspective.  What do you want the audience to know about the issue presented?  Why is the perspective you plan to present important?  How will you phrase the invitation?  How will you phrase the invitation? Select powerful words from your research, to provide a clear and well written thesis that invites your audience to read the paper.

The first steps:  Look for answers to the smaller questions that make up your controlling question.  Look for answers to each of the questions in your Roman Numerals. Starting the climb

Sample “Invitations” #1 (Thesis Statements)  Nuclear power is a good resource to provide electricity but has its negative impact. Grade: (C) Grade: (C) (Why a “C”?) (Why a “C”?) Struggling up the slope

Sample “Invitations” #2 (Thesis Statements)  The twentieth century provided a nuclear alternative that provides a relatively clean option for electrifying the world, but this source can make a negative impact on the environment. Grade: (B) Grade: (B) (Why a “B”?) (Why a “B”?) Pulling yourself up

 The twentieth century’s nuclear research has provided a fresh technology that is a relatively clean and generally safe source that meets modern electrical demands, but it also carries the threats of bio-radioactive exposure, nuclear plant disasters and the impact of possible long-term global environmental scars. Grade: (A) (Why an “A”?) Grade: (A) (Why an “A”?) Sample “Invitations” #3 (Thesis Statements) Reaching the top!

Your Invitation (Thesis)  Look at your own invitation (thesis statement). How would you grade it? _______  What could you do to improve upon the statement?  How will you state the issue to inform your audience and at the same time clarify the perspective you wish to support in your paper?  What diction will you add to improve the tone and quality of the thesis?

Supporting the invitation (Thesis)  Look at your topic sentences and your note card facts. Will they support what your thesis statement says?  If not, what more will you need in the form of research facts?  If so, how will you organize the material to best support your research perspective?

A Permanent Invitation?  As you develop the plan for your body paragraphs (support) you may need to continually revisit the invitation.  Does it need changing?  Does the perspective need more clarification?  Do the facts, observations and conclusions support your thesis?

A Permanent Invitation?  Review, revisit and revamp the thesis as you write the balance of the paper!  Do a perspective check with each paragraph!  Don’t be afraid to adjust the invitation (thesis) to reach your audience!

YOU CAN DO THIS! Just take the time and follow the steps to research success!