1. Developing a Thesis

2. Original Thesis Thesis:
The treatment of racism in movies reflects the racism in society at the time.
Problem: Not too interesting. Seems self-evident

3. Be more Specific
Revised Thesis: As racism changed over time in America, racism within the justice system in movies changed with it.
Still a bit vague…
Does changed mean increased or decreased?

4. More Specific and Detailed
To Kill a Mockingbird
A Soldier’s Story
12 Angry Men
Philadelphia
Okay….what do these movies have in common? what’s different?
okay…all trials…the first three deal with racism… the last discrimination

5. Try Broadening Discrimination What about women?
Working Girl…did that have a trial in it?
Other movies?
Discrimination is more broad than racism.

6. Take Stock I could do more research
Based on what I know now, let’s try to
formulate a new thesis
Key terms - discrimination,
courtroom dramas, justice

7. New Thesis
Hollywood has used courtroom dramas to model the ideal of equal justice for all as a means of overcoming discrimination.

8. Compare Original Thesis:
The treatment of racism in movies reflects the racism in society at the time.
More Developed Thesis:
Hollywood courtroom dramas model the
ideal of equal justice for all as a means of overcoming discrimination.
Notice how I’ve eliminated some of the weaker words in the more developed thesis.