1. Thesis Statements 101
Adapted from “Thesis Statements in Literary Analysis Papers,” by Brian Yothers

2. Thesis Statement Basics
Makes an argument
Answers the prompt (if there is one)

3. Thesis Statement Details
Announcement of the analytical argument you intend to prove in your essay
Foundation: if your foundation is weak and poorly constructed, your essay will fall apart
Should be placed somewhere in the Introduction of your paper (many like it as the last sentence)

4. Effective Thesis Statements
Provoke thought
Read beautifully

5. Anatomy
WHAT: What claim are you making about the text? How does the author demonstrate his/her insight/theme?
WHY: Why is your claim important? (this is where we see the insight and/or theme of the work; think ‘so what?’)

6. Examples
Rudolfo Anaya’s Bless Me, Ultima is about how people grow up. What’s wrong?

7. Examples
Rudolfo Anaya’s Bless Me, Ultima is about how people grow up. An observation about the book, not an argument

8. Examples
In Bless Me Ultima, Ultima’s relationship with nature teaches Tony about life. Better? How so? What is still missing?

9. Examples
In Bless Me Ultima, Ultima’s relationship with nature teaches Tony about life. Doesn’t answer the ‘so what?’ question. What is the point of a relationship with nature? What insight do we get?

10. Examples
Through Ultima’s relationship with nature, Tony learns truth can be found by removing oneself from the influences of society and seeking understanding in the quiet of nature. Even better?

11. Examples
Through Ultima’s relationship with nature, Tony learns truth can be found by removing oneself from the influences of society and seeking understanding in the quiet of nature. This presents an interpretation of a literary work based on an analysis of its content and it answers the ‘so what?’ question.

12. Examples
What? Through Ultima’s relationship with nature Tony learns Why? truth can be found by removing oneself from the influences of society and seeking understanding in the quiet of nature.

13. Pitfalls… Making an observation rather than an argument
Stating the obvious
Not being specific enough about the insight (keep asking ‘so what?’ ‘how so?’ ‘why?’)
Using ‘to be’ verbs

14. After you create a working thesis…
Collect evidence
Organize evidence
Draft topic sentences
Outline essay
Draft essay
Revise and edit essay