Thesis Statement Templates
Literary/Rhetorical Analysis:
Template:
In [TITLE OF WORK], [THE AUTHOR] shows/illustrates/models/etc. that [CLAIM] through/by/with/etc.
________, ________, _________.
EXAMPLES:
1) In The Crucible, Arthur Miller shows the dangerous power of hysteria through the characters
Reverend Hale, Mary Warren, and Reverend Parris.
TITLE OF WORK = The Crucible
AUTHOR = Arthur Miller
CLAIM = dangerous power of hysteria
REASON 1: [actions of] Reverend Hale
REASON 2: [actions of] Mary Warren
REASON 3: [actions of] Reverend Parris
2) In the poem The Highway Man, Alfred Noyes illustrates a bittersweet romantic theme through
his ominous word choice, powerful repetition, and poignant portrayal of unending love.
TITLE OF WORK: The Highway Man
AUTHOR: Alfred Noyes
CLAIM: [the poem] illustrates bittersweet romantic theme
REASON 1: ominous word choice
REASON 2: powerful repetition
REASON 3: poignant portrayal of unending love
3) The song Hakuna Matata shows that life is best when lived carefree through the lyrics, the
visuals/music video, and the character’s background stories.
TITLE OF WORK: Hakuna Matata
AUTHOR:
CLAIM: life is best when lived carefree
REASON 1: lyrics
REASON 2: visuals/music video
REASON 3: character’s background stories
Argumentative/Persuasive:
Template 1:
[ARGUMENTATIVE/DEBATABLE TOPIC] is/should/etc. [YOUR STANCE/OPINION] because __________,
__________, ___________.
Template 2 (includes counterargument):
Although [COUNTERARGUMENT], [SUBJECT/TOPIC] is/should/etc. [YOUR STANCE/OPINION] because
__________, ___________, __________.
EXAMPLES:
Example of Template 1:
1) Standardized testing in the United States should be eliminated because they are not reliable
method of determining a student’s education level, students lose a significant amount of
educational time on their testing schedule, and they add to student stress levels.
ARGUMENTATIVE/DEBATABLE TOPIC: Standardized testing in the United States
STANCE/OPINION: [Standardized testing in the United States] should be eliminated
REASON 1: they are not reliable method of determining a student’s education level.
REASON 2: students lose a significant amount of educational time on their testing schedule.
REASON 3: students lose a significant amount of educational time on their testing schedule, and
they add to student stress levels.
Examples of Template 2 (includes counterargument):
1) Although some on the educational boards believe that standardized testing in the United States
in is beneficial to student success, standardized testing should be eliminated because they are
not reliable method of determining a student’s education level, students lose a significant
amount of educational time on their testing schedule, and they add to student stress levels.
COUNTERARGUMENT: some on the educational boards believe that standardized
testing in the United States in is beneficial to student success
SUBJECT/TOPIC: standardized testing should be eliminated
REASON 1: they are not reliable method of determining a student’s education level
REASON 2: students lose a significant amount of educational time on their testing
schedule
REASON 3: they add to student stress levels
2) Although most politicians support ongoing funding for the DEA, the war on drugs is a travesty of
justice because sentencing laws are discriminatory, more prisons than colleges are built, and
addiction is treated as a crime rather than a disease.
COUNTERARGUMENT: most politicians support ongoing funding for the DEA
SUBJECT/TOPIC: the war on drugs
STANCE/OPINION: [the war on drugs] is a travesty of justice
REASON 1: sentencing laws are discriminatory
REASON 2: more prisons than colleges are built
REASON 3: addiction is treated as a crime rather than a disease.
Comparison Essay:
Generally, a comparison essay asks the writer to compare two subjects and depending on assignment
guidelines taking a position in favor of one over the other. There are different variations of a comparison
essay and here some templates for some of those.
Template 1 (CONTRAST): In terms of [TOPIC], [SUBJECT 1] focuses on __________, whereas/while
[SUBJECT 2] focuses on/describes/explains __________.
Template 2 (COMPARE/CONTRAST): While both [SUBJECT 1] and [SUBJECT 2]
contained/showed/explained/talked about [TOPIC], [SUBJECT 1] focused on ___________, while
[SUBJECT 2] described __________.
Template 3 (COMPARE): Both [SUBJECT 1] and [SUBJECT 2] _________, __________, __________.
Examples of Template 1
Examples of Template 2
Examples of Template 3
Cause and Effect:
Research and Expository:
Unlike other papers, research and expository papers don’t require you to take a stance or list reasons in
thesis. This thesis is simply a topic sentence.
1) While both wind turbines and solar panels have their own shortcomings, both offer a number of
advantages over traditional energy sources.
2) Carbohydrate-free and whole-grain diet experts agree on one thing: limiting refined sugars is
the key to weight loss.
3)
In [TITLE OF ARTICLE], the author explains that Beyonce is not her authentic self on social media