Writing Effective Thesis Statements
OBJECTIVE: In today’s lesson we are going to look at writing effective thesis
statements to a variety of questions.
What is a thesis statement?

A position/angle/stance on an issue/concept/idea

A thesis statement is your interpretation of a question/idea.

Should be no more than 2 sentences.

Should announce explicitly what you want to explore/argue in your response.

Should convince and prove.

Should be clear, concise, and specific so there is no doubt in the reader’s mind what your
angle is.

YOUR THESIS STATEMENT SHOULD NEVER MENTION THE TEXT ITSELF, BUT
RATHER THE IDEAS WITHIN THE MODULE/QUESTION.
- Is there a clear focus in the response which relates to the question?
- Is there a sustained thesis?
- Is the evidence illustrative and supportive of the points made?
- Has the response analysed the impact of language?
- Has the response analysed the composer’s purpose and message?

DO not mean that you re-word the quote. Pick out key ideas that are contained in the
quote and mould your thesis statement around that.

Must be specific and stick to the topic. Do not waffle in your thesis statement. If you do,
you will simply confuse the marker. There must be clarity in your statement.

Your thesis statement should be the basis for your introduction.
Before we begin let’s have a quick look over the rubric to recap your understanding of the key ideas
of the module:
Dot point some of the key ideas of the rubric:


Individual Human Experience
You will now be given a series of essay questions. For each question take some dot point notes down
on what the question is asking and then write a thesis statement for each:
I have provided an example below:
Essay questions:
1. Through the telling and receiving of stories, we become more aware of ourselves and our
shared human experiences.
Explore this statement with close reference to your prescribed text.
NOTES:
telling and receiving of stories: This refers to ways a composer (Orwell) tells the story (the novel,
structure, techniques and additionally the composer’s context). Additionally, this refers to how
the responder/audience receives the story (our context).
More aware of ourselves: Through the reading/viewing of the play, what specific things do we
learn about ourselves and humanity.
shared human experiences: From our reading of the novel, what is revealed about the
similarities of all humanity. E.g., If we feel that we are oppressed, we seek freedom.
THESIS STATEMENT: Stories reflect our lived human experiences, enabling us to develop a
sense of perspective and a heightened awareness of the world around us. Texts challenge our
assumptions about society, depicting contrasting viewpoints to enable the responder to reflect on
individual motivations.
______________________________________________________________________________
2. Storytelling invites us to see the world differently through challenging our assumptions.
Discuss this statement in relation to your prescribed text.
NOTES:
THESIS STATEMENT:
___________________________________________________________________________
3. Through the representation of individual and collective human experiences, we are able to
gain a greater understanding of the complexity of human qualities and emotions.
Explore this statement with close reference to your prescribed text.
NOTES:
THESIS STATEMENT:
___________________________________________________________________________
4. It is a story’s ability to ignite new ideas about human behaviour that allows us as a reader’s
to see the world differently.
Analyse and evaluate to what extent this statement is relevant to your prescribed text.
NOTES:
THESIS STATEMENT:
___________________________________________________________________________
5. Our lives and cultures are expressed through the telling and receiving of stories.
Discuss this statement with close reference to your prescribed text.
NOTES:
THESIS STATEMENT:
___________________________________________________________________________
6. Through the telling and receiving of stories, we are made more aware of aspects in our
own lives and cultures.
Explore this statement with close reference to your prescribed text.
NOTES:
THESIS STATEMENT:
___________________________________________________________________________
7. Stories show us the complex nature of being human.
Evaluate this statement with close reference to your prescribed text.
NOTES:
THESIS STATEMENT:
___________________________________________________________________________
8. The telling of stories invites us to view our experiences and the experiences of others in a
new light.
Explore this statement with close reference to your prescribed text.
NOTES:
THESIS STATEMENT:
___________________________________________________________________________
9. Storytelling gives us insight into the paradoxes inherent in human behaviour and
motivations.
Evaluate this statement with close reference to your prescribed text.
NOTES:
THESIS STATEMENT:
___________________________________________________________________________
10. The representation of human experiences makes us more aware of the intricate nature of
humanity.
Evaluate to what extent this statement is relevant to your prescribed text.
NOTES:
THESIS STATEMENT: