The Thesis Statement

1. The Thesis Statement Notes

2. The thesis statement is a sentence that clearly and concisely indicates the subject of your paper, the main points you will cover, and the order in which you will discuss them. It is not the subject; it is an interpretation of the subject.

3. Important Thesis Notes A thesis statement is a declarative statement. It is not a title, a fragment, or a question. Example: Question: Why are biofeedback techniques excellent methods of stress reduction? Thesis: Because of its simplicity, accuracy, and lack of toxicity, biofeedback is often a successful technique for migraine relief.

4. A thesis statement is an arguable idea, not a fact. Fact: Cortez conquered Mexico in 1509. Thesis: The colonial mentality which prompted Cortez's barbaric invasion of Mexico brought about not an advance of native society but a destruction of Aztec culture.

5. A thesis statement is not an announcement of the author's purpose or assignment. Announcement: In this paper I will discuss the causes and effects of the French Revolution and then argue as to whether or not it was successful. Thesis: Though the reasons for the French Revolution were noble— liberty, fraternity, equality—the effects were devastating, ultimately leading to the unsuccessful reinstitution of the monarchy and the restructuring of a classist society into a militaristic one.

6. A thesis statement is not obvious. Obvious: Litter creates pollution of the environment. Thesis: Recycling programs, though expensive at first, are ultimately an efficient, cost effective, and environmentally sound means of reducing waste in our environment. Obvious: The computer was an important technological advancement in the twentieth century. Thesis: Even though computers have their idiosyncrasies, they have improved our lives tremendously by simplifying word processing, streamlining data storage, and promoting an international exchange of information.

7. A thesis statement is specific and narrowed and is not a broad overgeneralization. • Broad: Men are chauvinists. • Narrow: Men who repress their true feelings leave themselves open to physical, psychological, and relationship difficulties.

8. A thesis statement covers only one topic. Many topics: The theme, characters, setting, irony, conflicts, viewpoint, and plot all contribute to making Madame Bovary a tragedy. One topic: Flaubert's Emma Bovary is a tragic character because, never seeing reality, she misses some important clues that her life has gone awry, and she falls from her social "height" into prostitution.

9. A thesis statement focuses the essay and guides its direction. Unfocused: Martin Luther King, Jr. is a role model for everyone to follow. Focused: Because of his determination, his courage to follow his beliefs and his unwavering sense of justice, Martin Luther King, Jr. is a symbol of American freedom.

10. Your thesis needs three components: (TAD) Topic: The narrowed, limited subject of your paper. Attitude: How you will treat and interpret the subject. Development: The proof/points you will cover in the paper.

11. If you were writing a paper to convince your parents to let you have your own car, your thesis would not be something like: It’s important for me to have a car. Why?!

12. How about: It’s important for me to have a car so I can take road trips. Why?

13. What about this? Having my own car will give me more freedom to explore life, but it will also provide discipline through the expansion of my household responsibilities.

14. Now, Consider These… Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn is a great American novel. In Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain develops a contrast between life on the river and life on the shore. Through its contrasting river and shore scenes, Twain's Huckleberry Finn suggests that to find the true expression of American democratic ideals, one must leave "civilized" society and go back to nature.

15. Where is the thesis? Contrary to popular, parental, and librarian opinion, 'quiet study time' does not in fact enhance but instead impairs students' productivity. Listening to music while studying is in fact a beneficial activity to add to a study regime for better grades because of the way music motivates students and keeps them alert.

16. Listening to music while studying is in fact a beneficial activity to add to a study regime for better grades because of the way music motivates students and keeps them alert.

17. Your thesis must take a stand, be specific, and engaging enough to justify writing about.

18. A strong thesis often contains words like: • Because • Since • So • Although • Unless • Through • However Why? They help with development!

19. For Example… Because half of all crack babies are likely to grow up in homes lacking good mental and emotional stimulation, the federal government should finance programs to supplement parental care for crack addicted infants and children.

20. Because half of all crack babies are likely to grow up in homes lacking good mental and emotional stimulation, the federal government should finance programs to supplement parental care for crack addicted infants and children. Topic: Federal Government Attitude: Should Finance Programs Development: Crack addicted babies are less likely to grow up in homes lacking good mental stimulation Crack addicted babies are less likely to grow up in homes lacking good emotional stimulation Let’s break this one down…

21. Let’s Try Another… Topic: Because the internet is filled with tremendous marketing potential, companies should take advantage by using web pages that offer both advertising and customer support. Companies Attitude: Should use web pages that use advertising and customer support Development: The tremendous marketing potential of theinternet

22. One more… Hunger persists in Appalachia because jobs are scarce and farming in the infertile soil is rarely profitable. Topic: Hunger in Appalachia Attitude: Persists Development: • Jobs are scarce • Farming in infertile soil is rarely profitable

23. Your topic needs to be: Single: Narrow-don’t try to take on so much! Significant: Why write about it if it’s not important? Supportable: Is there enough evidence to support and defend your thesis statement?

24. Basic Steps for Writing a Thesis Statement 1. After you have decided your topic, you need to narrow it down. Broad:British Poetry Narrow:Gender Characteristics in Two Poems More Narrow:John Donne’s “Death Be Not Proud” contrasted with Elizabeth Barret Browning’s “Sonnet 43”

25. 2. Put your topic into a sentence. Elizabeth Barret Browning’s “Sonnet 43”isdifferent from John Donne's "Death Be Not Proud."

26. 3. Add your argument, viewpoint, or opinion to your topic to make your thesis persuasive. Elizabeth Barret Browning’s “Sonnet 43”is essentially a more feminine poem, while John Donne's "Death Be Not Proud" is more masculine.

27. 4. Elaborate on your thesis so that it addresses all parts of your assignment. Although Elizabeth Barret Browningand John Donne both personify death in their poems, the tone, language, and images are clearly feminine in “Sonnet 43” and masculine in "Death Be Not Proud."

28. 5. Organize your thesis to guide the direction of your paper. Although Elizabeth Barret Browning and John Donne both personify death in their poems the tone, images, and language are clearly more feminine in “Sonnet 43” than in "Death Be Not Proud."

29. 6. Edit your thesis for content, word choice, precision, and mechanics. Although Elizabeth Barret Browning and John Donne both personify death in their poems, the images, language, and tone clearly reveal a woman's perspective in "Sonnet 43," and a man's perspective in "Holy Sonnet 10."

30. Poetry Analysis Thesis Notes: After completing your poetry analysis, you should be able to state, in your own words, thetheme of the poem. Next, decide what poetic elements and techniques evident in the poem are specifically responsible for conveying that theme. Now, narrow down, from the above list, the elements and devices that you feel you can write the most intelligently and compellingly about.

31. Finally, formulate a rough thesis statement. Remember: it must contain TAD, and your topic must be SSS!

32. ** If you can, indicate in the thesis the areas or features of the poem important to your argument (a pattern of imagery, for instance, or a series of crucial lines).  Remember, your thesis statement must argue a point; instead of simply saying that a poet uses certain poetic devices, you must give some indication in your thesis as to how those devices work and what they do to the poem's meaning.  You do not need to go into elaborate detail in your thesis, but do show the relationship between the poem and your argument.

33. Final Words… If you are struggling, here is an almost template to use-it is very elementary, but it works…. Through his (or her) use of______________, ___________, and ___________, Poet’s Name conveys the theme _________________ in his (or her) “Poem Title.”