Developing Your
Thesis Statement
After a brief introduction of your topic, you
should state your point of view on the topic
directly and often in one sentence. This
sentence is the thesis statement and it
serves as a summary of the argument you
will present in the rest of your paper.
What is a thesis
statement?
• Tells the reader how you will
establish the relationship
and connections within your
subject matter
• It is a road map for the
paper and tells the reader
what to expect from the rest
of the paper
• Directly answers the
question asked of you
• It is usually a single
sentence somewhere in
your first paragraph that
presents your argument to
the reader.
• The rest of the paper, the
body, gathers and organizes
evidence that will persuade
the reader of the logic of
your interpretation
How do I get a thesis?
• Writing a thesis is the result of a long thinking
process
• Before you can write an effective thesis you
must collect and organize evidence (in this case
your note cards), look for possible relationships
between known facts, and think about the
significance of these relationships
How do I know if my thesis is
strong?
•
Do I answer the question?
– Reread the question prompt and make sure it focuses on the question asked of
you
•
Have I taken a position that others might challenge or oppose?
– Thesis statements that are too vague do not have a strong argument. Avoid
words such as “good,” “bad,” successful,” etc.
•
Does my thesis pass the “So what?” test?
– If the reader’s first response is, “So what?” then you need to clarify, create a
relationship, or connect your evidence to a larger issue
•
Does my thesis pass the “how?” or “why?” test?
– If a reader’s first response is, “How?” or “Why?” your thesis may be too openended and lack guidance for the reader
•
Does my essay support my thesis specifically and without wondering?
– If your thesis and the body of your essay do not seem to go together, one of
them has to change*******
Prompt: Compare and contrast the reasons why
the north and south fought the civil war.
• Attempt 1
– The North and South fought the Civil War for many
reasons, some of which were the same and some
different
• Reaction
– Simply restates the question without providing any
additional information. It is important that the reader
know where you are heading. Ask yourself, “How are
they the same?” “How are they different?” Why did
they think slavery was right or wrong?
Prompt: Compare and contrast the reasons why
the north and south fought the civil war.
• Attempt 2
– While both sides fought the Civil War over the issue of
slavery, the North fought for moral reasons while the
South fought to preserve its own institutions
• Reaction
– This is a working thesis. It includes a reason for the
war and some idea of how the two sides disagreed
over this reason. However, as you work on your paper
you may discover new connections and realize that
your thesis is too vague.
Prompt: Compare and contrast the reasons why
the north and south fought the civil war.
• Attempt 3
– While both Northerners and Southerners believed
they fought against tyranny and oppression,
Northerners focused on the oppression of slaves
while Southerners defended their own rights to
property and self-government.
• Reaction
– This final thesis presents a way of interpreting the
evidence and focuses on the significance of the
question.
Prompt: Write an analysis of some aspect of
Mark Twain’s novel Huckleberry Finn.
• Attempt 1
– Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn is a great American
novel.
• Reaction
– This thesis leads readers to think that you will simply
provide a general summary of the novel. Your
teacher wants you think about why it is such a great
novel and asks you to pick a certain aspect of the
novel to analyze.
Prompt: Write an analysis of some aspect of
Mark Twain’s novel Huckleberry Finn.
• Attempt 2
– In Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain develops a contrast
between life on the river and life on the shore.
• Reaction
– Although you have highlighted an important aspect of
the novel it is still too vague. Your reader is thinking,
“So what?” What is the point of this contrast and what
does it signify?
Prompt: Write an analysis of some aspect of
Mark Twain’s novel Huckleberry Finn.
• Attempt 3
– 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.
• Reaction
– The final thesis presents an interpretation of the novel
based on a close analysis of its content. However,
you must remember to provide evidence in the body
of your paper that supports this thesis.