1. Thesis Statements: An Essay’s T-Shirt Slogan • That women love the notebook; it’s a love story; it’s not a manly movie; men hate romance movies (book or movie) • Heterosexuality, get your foot in the door (so to speak); trendy, sensitive, a “good guy”, you’ll spend money; I might have even cried; pick someone else up

2. Less might be more? • Nascar logo, driving in circles is boring (go straight, turn left); people are obsessed with this; there’s something class based/race based…I’m saying this is not a sport • I’m not a redneck; you think it’s stupid when people get charged up about people dying; you like “real sports”; you assume education and this is provoking an argument

3. It might not be enough, though… • MSU is a college and is in michigan, but is not michigan; this might be tied to athletics • You might be an athlete, student, alumnus, fan, family member, you like burnt umber, you like t-shirts, maybe you’re wearing it ironically, you’re laid back, you stole it from a friend

4. More can be too clear, though… • When you die, you become a ghost; maybe religious connotations; you’re bitter; you like to swear; probably not a teacher; hopefully not a middle schooler

5. Or not nearly clear enough… • See: Kevin’s shirt

6. What’s our happy medium? • Gives you a frame of reference; doesn’t give everything away. Is helpful. • Do you find the intention there; addresses an audience.

7. What’s a thesis statement? • Summation of an argument that takes a clear stance • Should be easy to identify • Sentence clues us in about the paper that’s not too detailed and not too vague • Usually where the opening argument is presented • Outlines the argument and main ideas of the evidence used to support it

8. Struggles • Students struggle with the purpose and what to include; they have trouble staying with it • Get a different opinion each year as to what it is • So we send them mixed signals • Flow; continuity • Finding a thesis to begin with or a topic