1. The Thesis Developed by: Lindsay McNiff
Welcome to the iSchool’s instructional video on the thesis. This video was developed by Lindsay McNiff, revised by Navroop Gill and Anna Standish, re-designed and narrated by Victoria McAuley, and based on the template by Brenna Pladsen.
Developed by: Lindsay McNiff
Revised by: Navroop Gill and Anna Standish
Re-designed and Narrated by: Victoria McAuley
Template by Brenna Pladsen

2. What is a Thesis?
An argument or claim that your paper will be supporting
A specific statement that will:
indicate a basis for your argument
demonstrate how you will support your claim
A thesis is an argument or claim with which one can reasonably disagree.
It’s a specific statement that will indicate a basis for your argument, and demonstrate how you will support your claim throughout the body of your essay.

3. Before You Begin
Before you begin…

4. Understand Your Paper
Your thesis should be tailored to the style of paper you write
Different types of paper have different requirements:
You need to understand your paper. Your thesis should be tailored to the style of paper that you’re writing.
Different types of papers have different requirements, for example:

5. Understand Your Paper
Your thesis should be tailored to the style of paper you write
Different types of paper have different requirements:
Argumentative papers need to present a unique argument
Comparative papers need to compare two, or more works
Interpretive papers need to demonstrate your insight
Argumentative papers need to present a unique argument, while comparative papers need to compare two or more works, and interpretive papers need to demonstrate your unique insights into a topic

6. Understand Your Paper
Your thesis should be tailored to the style of paper you write
Different types of paper have different requirements:
Argumentative papers need to present a unique argument
Comparative papers need to compare two, or more works
Interpretive papers need to demonstrate your unique insight
You can learn more about academic papers, here:

7. Research
Your research is also informed by your style of paper/argument
If you already have a working thesis, let it guide your research
If not, try creating guiding questions based on your paper topic
Your research style is also informed by your style of paper or argument. If you already have a working thesis, you can let it guide your research. If not, try creating guiding questions based on your paper topic.

8. Research
Your research is also informed by your style of paper/argument
If you already have a working thesis, let it guide your research
If not, try creating guiding questions based on your paper topic
For help with research, visit:

9. Brainstorm Brainstorming helps you format your ideas as you research
It can help you retain information, and construct your thesis
Everyone brainstorms differently
Try using a mind map, a list, a voice memo, or a skeleton outline
Brainstorming can help you format your ideas as you research. A good brainstorm can help you retain information, and construct your thesis. Everyone brainstorms different, but you can try using a mindmap, list, voice memo, or skeleton outline.

10. Brainstorm Brainstorming helps you format your ideas as you research
It can help you retain information, and construct your thesis .
Everyone brainstorms differently
Try using a mind map, a list, a voice memo, or a skeleton outline
For help organizing your ideas, visit:

11. Working Thesis Create a working/draft thesis
It outlines your main idea & can be adapted as you write
It doesn’t have to be perfect
This practice leads to the creation of a stronger final thesis
After you’ve researched and brainstormed, try creating a working thesis. A working thesis outlines your main ideas, and can be adapted as you write. It doesn’t have to be perfect, just good enough to start writing. This practice leads to the creation of a stronger final thesis.

12. Working Thesis Create a working/draft thesis
It outlines your main idea & can be adapted as you write
It doesn’t have to be perfect
This practice leads to the creation of a stronger final thesis
For help writing a working thesis, visit:

13. Writing Your Paper
Now it’s time to write your paper

14. Your 1st Paragraph Should
Introduce your topic
Give context for your argument
Mention any relevant framing literature
The first paragraph of your essay should introduce your topic, give context to your argument, mention any relevant framing literature…

15. Your 1st Paragraph Should
Introduce your topic
Give context for your argument
Mention any relevant framing literature
Present your thesis
And present your thesis.

16. Your Thesis Should Explain what your paper will argue
Describe how you will form your argument
Act as a map for your reader
Outline your points
Be appropriately specific, and complex
Your thesis should explain what your paper will argue, describe how you will form your argument, act as a map for your reader, outline your point, and be appropriately specific, and complex.

17. Body & Supporting Paragraphs
Thesis
The thesis tells the reader what to expect
Body & Supporting Paragraphs
Your thesis tells the reader what to expect, …

18. Body & Supporting Paragraphs
Thesis
The thesis tells the reader what to expect
The body of the essay fulfills the promise made by the thesis
Each paragraph supports or elaborates on the thesis
Body & Supporting Paragraphs
The body of the essay fulfils the promise made by the thesis, and each paragraph supports or elaborates on the thesis.

19. Does this paragraph support my thesis?
Ask Yourself
When writing your paper, ask yourself: does this paragraph support my thesis? If not, you may need to re-write, or remove the paragraph.
Does this paragraph support my thesis?

20. Examine this Thesis Statement
Young adults are underserved by public libraries*
Examine this Thesis Statement
Examine this thesis statement: Young adults are underserved by public libraries

21. Examine this Thesis Statement
Young adults are underserved by public libraries*
Examine this Thesis Statement
*This thesis statement does not provide enough detail, and is not sufficiently argumentative
This thesis statement does not provide enough detail, and is not sufficiently argumentative for a graduate level essay.

22. Examine this Thesis Statement
Public libraries have a mission to provide equitable access to services; however, young adults are traditionally underserved by these institutions. Participation in civil leadership activities is a key factor that contributes to the successful development of young adults, therefore, public libraries should provide civic- minded programming for young adults as an essential service.*
Now, examine the revised thesis statement on the slide above.

23. Examine this Thesis Statement
Public libraries have a mission to provide equitable access to services; however, young adults are traditionally underserved by these institutions. Participation in civil leadership activities is a key factor that contributes to the successful development of young adults, therefore, public libraries should provide civic- minded programming for young adults as an essential service.*
*This thesis statement provides sufficient context, detail, and argument
This thesis statement provides sufficient context, detail, and argument for a graduate level paper.

24. Don’t Do Constrain yourself to one sentence
Make your thesis your first sentence
Wait to perfect your thesis before you start writing
Panic
Use a few sentences to explain your point clearly
Orient your reader with an introduction
Edit your working thesis as you write
Break the process into small steps
When writing your thesis statement:
Don’t constrain yourself to one sentence. Use a few sentences to explain your point clearly
Don’t make your thesis your first sentence. Orient your reader with an introduction.
Don’t wait to perfect your thesis before you start writing. Instead, edit your working thesis as you write.
Most of all, don’t panic! Break the essay-writing process into small, manageable steps, and reach out for help if you need it.

25. The University of Toronto has programs that can help!
Still Feeling Stuck?
The University of Toronto has programs that can help!
The Writing Centre
Graduate Centre for Academic Communication (CGAC)
The Academic Success Centre
The Inforum Website
If you’re still feeling stuck, visit the links on the slide in front of you.