Thesis+Statements

= Academic Writing: The Thesis Statement =

//**Purpose:**// To narrow down the topic into a specific, central idea, and to make that central idea a strong and effective argument.

__**What is the thesis?**__
• It is the argument your paper is making.

• It is the central, organizing idea that is supported and proven in the paper.

• It is a point of reference that gives the essay direction and coherence.

• It is a specific and focused idea that can be fully explored within the page or word limit of the assignment.

• It is relevant to the topic and appropriate to the field of the subject.

//Specific://
-The thesis should argue a specific part of the topic.

-It should be focused enough that it can be fully explored in your paper.

-The shorter an essay is, the more specific its thesis should be. A broad thesis requires much more evidence and thus much more space to make a strong argument.

//Argumentative://
-The thesis must be debatable. It must take a stand and say something relevant that requires proof.

-It must not summarize or state the obvious.

-It must take a position and argue based on an understanding of the subject.

//Explanatory://
-A thesis must contain some reasoning or explanation for the position it holds.

-It must justify your position to some extent; for example, saying you agree or disagree isn’t enough. You must give the overall reason why you agree or disagree.

-The substance of the thesis should connect with the supporting arguments.

When creating a thesis, ask yourself – is it //**specific, argumentative and explanatory**//? If you find that your thesis is weak in any of these areas, try to focus on that aspect.

Work from the topic.
-A thesis might easily come to your mind when you consider the subject, but at other times you might have to work to produce one.

-Narrow down the topic, until you have an idea you feel you can debate or argue over.

-If the topic is a question, try to answer it and provide an overall reason for that answer in the thesis.

Try working backwards.
-Often, research and brainstorming on the topic will help you to come up with a thesis. You don’t always have to have a thesis in mind before you start your research.

-Try coming up with sample arguments about the topic – if you notice a trend in your arguments, it might be a good place to start looking for a thesis.

-Writing can help you think. Try writing a draft of the introduction only, and see if you end up producing a thesis statement.

Go to your teacher.
-Your teachers are knowledgeable in their field and can be enormously helpful. Don’t be afraid to ask for help in developing a thesis; they can often point you in the right direction.


 * Weak thesis: //Mary Shelley's __Frankenstein__ has an interesting cast of characters.//**
 * //Specific?// Not at all - which characters are interesting? Why are they interesting?
 * //Argumentative?// It could be argued, but the thesis is not taking a strong position or making any important claims. It is vague and not very strong.
 * //Explanatory?// No - why are they interesting? Why does it matter that they are interesting?


 * Partial thesis: In Frankenstein, Mary Shelley produces an important contrast between Victor and the monster.**
 * //Specific?// The thesis now talks about two specific characters, and specifies the contrast between them. But what is being contrasted between the two of them?
 * //Argumentative?// The thesis is now making a claim about the novel, but it is still just an observation about an obvious theme. It must make a claim about that contrast.
 * //Explanatory?// Somewhat – but why is the contrast important? What does the contrast do to the novel?


 * Strong thesis: Through the contrast in attitude between Victor and the monster in Frankenstein, Shelley shows that the true horror is not the monster itself, but the selfishness that made Victor abandon it.**


 * Specific? Yes – the thesis focuses on two characters, on the contrast between their attitudes, and the horror that the novel creates.
 * Argumentative? Yes – this is an interesting interpretation of the novel. The thesis takes a position and can be challenged and discussed.
 * Explanatory? Yes – the thesis shows what the contrast does, and makes an interpretation of the novel based on that idea.