Writing Your Thesis Statement

 A thesis statement is a strong statement that you can prove with evidence.  It is not a simple statement of fact.  It will be the main idea of your entire project.  It can also be thought of as the angle or point of view from which you present your material.

 Here are some examples of ways to approach it: ◦ Define a problem and state your opinion about it ◦ Put forth a possible solution to a problem ◦ Look at an issue/topic from a new, interesting perspective ◦ Theorize how the world might be different today if something had/had not happened in the past

◦ Compare two or more of something similar and give your rating about them (cars, authors, computers, colleges, books) ◦ Put out your ideas about how something was influenced to be the way it is or was (music, art, political leadership, genocide)

 Your TS should be a STRONG statement that must be proven (it should be arguable).  Your TS should be an opinion, but should be stated with certainty.  Your TS should require evidence (it should make me say “prove it”).  Your TS should be stated precisely and definitively (don’t waffle!)  Your TS should be written in 3 rd person.  Your TS should include a Roadmap

 A Roadmap gives the reader an idea of how you’re going to prove your thesis.  It often begins with the word “because”.  It includes the ways that you will try to prove your thesis.

 “’Las Meninas’ represents the highest achievement of neoclassical ideals because it uses superior attention to detail, conveys beauty through ambiguity, and successfully achieves Michelangelo’s complex vision for portraits.”  “Despite its popularity, ‘The Thinker’ is a failure from an artistic perspective because it lacks originality, it does not achieve the standards of neoclassical scultpure, and even Rodin, its creator, was disappointed in it.”

 “I think ‘Condition Humaine’ is the greatest painting ever.” ◦ Errors include: 1 st Person, not a statement that can be argued with evidence, no blueprint.  “’Starry Night’ is an impressionist painting by Monet.” ◦ Errors include: This is a simple statement of fact, not an argument, no blueprint.  “Many people disagree about the meaning behind ‘Mona Lisa’s’ smile.” ◦ Errors include: This isn’t a strong opinion, no blueprint.

 Your evidence (which you will get from researching your research questions) will be used to prove your point.

 BUT…you don’t yet know enough about the art to write an excellent thesis yet.  SO… 1. Write a crappy preliminary thesis that included your topic and what you think your angle might be: this is just to get you started until you’re an expert. It will look something like: “Las Meninas is a masterpiece of fine art.” 2. Read, Read, Read (about those research questions) 3. After you know more, you will write a real thesis like the examples from a few slides back.