The Thesis Statement
A thesis statement is a one-sentence argument that comes at the beginning of a paper
(for our purposes it will be the last sentence of your introductory paragraph). It is a “road
map” that clearly tells your reader what your paper is going to be about.
Qualities of a good thesis statement:
1) It directly answers the question asked of you.
2) It is an argument (someone could disagree with you), not simply a factual
observation. It presents the conclusion you have reached about a debatable point.
3) It does more than simply restate the question.
4) It is a “road map” telling the reader what to expect from the rest of the paper.
5) It does not announce itself (you should never say “This paper will show…”)
The Formula:
This is methodical and arguably boring BUT it is full proof and can be applied to any
subject.
Title + author + specified literary tool*+ specified literary tool + specified literary
tool are utlized in order to reveal argument.
*Your specified literary tool will come straight from the prompt OR the formalist
elements you choose to analyze.
Notes:
1. You must always state the text(s) you are using and author in your thesis.
2. You must specifically state an argument that can be proved using your specified
literary tool. This creates a clear guide to your body paragraphs.
3. You must conclude with your argument.
4. DO NOT restate the language from your prompt. You need to use the prompt to
inform your argument.
Thesis Examples:
1. An examination of John Steinbeck’s East of Eden, will reveal how the use of
allusion, diction and imagery re-create a biblical story (BAD).
2. In John Steinbeck’s East of Eden the use of allusion, diction and imagery provide
insight into how revenge creates misery (BETTER).
3. In East of Eden by John Steinbeck, biblical allusion, arid imagery and extensive
diction are utilized to reveal how the psychological affects of his father favoring
his brother, result in Caleb’s struggle to accept the concept of “timshel.”
(BEST).