Thesis Statements

Thesis Statements

What is a Thesis? • It declares what you intend to prove. • Not a simple retelling of facts (i.e. a summary) • Must be clear, concise and easy to identify

Reminders • A thesis… • Is never a question • Is not a list • Should not be vague, combative or confrontational I recognize that this is contradictory. I say don’t give a list, but then say don’t be vague. It is a fine line that takes practice.

How A Thesis Is Written • A thesis statement relating to literature always has two parts: a what and a how. • What = What you are asserting the author intended to do • How = Your description of how the author did it.

Elements of a Thesis In the 19th century novel Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain criticizes the shallow optimism of Romanticism by presenting characters such as Tom, the Duke, and the Sheperdsons who are victims of their own dreams.

Elements of a Thesis In the 19th century novel Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain criticizes the shallow optimism of Romanticismby presenting characters such as Tom, the Duke, and the Sheperdsons who are victims of their own dreams.

Elements of a Thesis In the ground-breaking Harry Potter franchise, author J.K. Rowling creates a new type of Christian allegory by presenting Harry Potter as a Christ figure who must suffer in order to save others.

Elements of a Thesis Arthur Miller uses his play The Death of a Salesman to explore the misguided absurdity of the American Dreamby depicting Willy Loman’s vain descent into self-destruction and the consequent naïve adoration he receives from his son Happy.

What do all three have in common? Arthur Miller uses his play The Death of a Salesman to explore the misguided absurdity of the American Dreamby depicting Willy Loman’s vain descent into self-destruction and the consequent naïve adoration he receives from his son Happy. In the ground-breaking Harry Potter franchise, author J.K. Rowling creates a new type of Christian allegory by presenting Harry Potter as a Christ figure who must suffer in order to save others. In the 19th century novel Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain criticizes the shallow optimism of Romanticismby presenting characters such as Tom, the Duke, and the Sheperdsons who are victims of their own dreams.

Arthur Miller uses his play The Death of a Salesman to explore the misguided absurdity of the American Dream by depicting Willy Loman’s vain descent into self-destruction and the consequent naïve adoration he receives from his son Happy. In the ground-breaking Harry Potter franchise, author J.K. Rowling creates a new type of Christian allegory by presenting Harry Potter as a Christ figure who must suffer in order to save others. In the 19th century novel Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain criticizes the shallow optimism of Romanticismby presenting characters such as Tom, the Duke, and the Sheperdsons who are victims of their own dreams.

The Importance of “By” • The word “by” separates the “what” and “how” of your thesis. • Likely, if you are not using the word “by,” you probably do not have both parts of the thesis in place. • “Through the use of” is the only other possible option, but I strongly advise you to stick with the “by” formula.

A Sample Imagine you are asked the question, “What message about the world do the realist authors have?” Bad Thesis: • The realists say that life is grim. Better Thesis: • The realists revolt against romanticism in a grim depiction of life. Best Thesis: • The realists revolt against the imaginative elements of romanticism by writing short stories wherein the fantasies of characters do nothing to prevent their violent fates.

A Sample • Watch the following music video “Jeremy” by the band Pearl Jam. • What thesis could you write about what the song is trying to communicate? • Pearl Jam - "Jeremy"

“Jeremy” • Bad Thesis: • Pearl Jam question the state of modern America. • Better Thesis: • In their work “Jeremy,” Pearl Jam present the consequences of teenage alienation in modern America. • Best Thesis • In their grunge rock anthem “Jeremy,” Pearl Jam assert the dangers of alienation felt by 20th century teenagers by presenting the violent results of a young man who has been ignored by his parents, teachers, and classmates.

Thesis Statements