Building a Thesis adapted from Student Learning Center1 1st story: Describes the topic; gives the facts; makes an observation. Observations are non-controversial-- no reasonable person would disagree with them. A person reading such a thesis thinks, “yes, this is true.” 2nd story: Interprets; gives point of view on; and/or adds controversy to the facts of the first story. It takes a position on the facts that is not obvious, a position that a reasonable person could disagree with -- it’s arguable. A person reading such a thesis thinks, “that’s an interesting point of view. Now prove it to me.” This does not mean the thesis has to be absurd; rather, it means to take one position out of a number of possible positions. 3rd story: relates 2nd story thesis to the bigger picture, explains its significance-- why it is important -- and sets it in a new context. Open out to a wider view. It is the answer you get when you ask of a two-story thesis, “so what?” A person reading such a thesis thinks, “I see why this argument matters.” However, be careful not to make a bigger claim than you are able to substantiate. Example: ➔ 1st story: Conrad uses imagery of light and dark in The Heart of Darkness. ➔ 2nd story: Conrad uses imagery of light and dark in The Heart of Darkness to represent the contrast between civilization and savagery. ➔ 3rd story: Conrad uses imagery of light and dark in The Heart of Darkness to represent the contrast between civilization and savagery, ultimately suggesting that civilization and savagery are less matters of the state of a culture than the state of an individual’s mind. Checklist: ❏ not a self-evident statement or a well-known fact ❏ gives readers an idea of the general direction of my paper and the evidence I will provide ❏ a complete sentence, not a fragment ❏ not worded as a question ❏ neither too broad nor too specific ❏ does not contain elements which are extraneous or irrelevant to my paper ❏ avoids phrases like “I think” and “in my opinion,” which weaken my argument ❏ gives me something to prove, backup, and develop HOW, WHY, SO WHAT The “method to meaning” thesis 1 http://slc.berkeley.edu/building-thesisfrom-ground Another way to approach writing a thesis is to identify the three “stories” as described on the first page as a HOW, WHY, and SO WHAT. “HOW” will you argue this? A successful thesis much include a “how,” which is usually a method. Here’s a few methods that a writer might use: ● contrast ● repeating word ● syntax ● archetype ● binary ● conflict ● relationship ● imagery ● character trait “WHY” are you arguing this? Why are you using this method? Answering “why” enlightens the reader as to the purpose of the method. “SO WHAT?” why does this argument matter? Why should I even read this essay? In The Lord of the Flies, Golding uses Jack to represent the Freudian id in order to prove that without law and order, chaos ensues. Iago does not cease his vengeance plot against Othello after becoming lieutenant because the Moor made Iago feel emasculated; this proves that men will go to violent lengths to preserve their male identity. In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the use of weather imagery emphasizes the unnatural state of the world, proving that it is impossible to thrive after disrupting the Universal Chain of Being. The only truly active woman in Beowulf, Grendel’s mother, is destroyed, while passive women are rewarded with jewelry and safety; while the tale is remembered as a story centered around a man, it is in fact a cautionary for Anglo Saxon women. Powerful verbs to use in literary analysis The following verbs are helpful as a means of showing how an example or quotation in literature supports an idea or interpretation (your analysis). The general formula to follow should look like this: Example (concrete detail or quotation) + Verb + Explanation or Significance (your commentary). Examples ● The act of hurling the pearl into the sea [concrete detail] suggests [verb] that the beauty of the soul cannot be bought [commentary]. ● Arthur’s hint of caution to Lancelot and Guinevere regarding Mordred [concrete detail] confirms [verb] that he had suspected their affair all along; he had pretended not to know for their sake and for the sake of the kingdom [commentary]. ● Macbeth’s repetition of “blood” in his crazed explanation to his wife [concrete detail] illustrates [verb] how defeated he feels about the murders and how he feels that another death at this point would not make a difference [commentary]. Avoid sounding robotic! Using phrases such as “this quotation shows,” or “this is significant because,” makes your analysis weaker and less interesting. Whenever you are tempted to write these words or use the verb “to show,” instead just tell me what the quotation shows or why it is significant. Here’s a useful list of verbs to use to help you write analysis in your essay. Note of caution: this is NOT a list of synonyms. Each word has specific usage patterns that are unique to its meaning. Think carefully about which verbs will work best for your argument. alludes to conveys displays exemplifies highlights connotes reveals typifies attests denotes emphasizes explains hints indicates signifies underscores clarifies depicts entails exposes illustrates portrays substantiates confirms determines establishes expounds implies represents suggests
