What’s Your Thesis?
ANNANDALE
WRITING CENTER
CG 409
What is a Thesis Statement?
 Thesis literally means, “a statement to be
proved.”
 It
is not self-evident. It needs “to be proved.” It
requires support.
 Your thesis statement is the main point or
central claim of your paper.
 Your
thesis is the reason your paper exists. Without a
thesis, you do not have a paper.
Thesis Statements and Assignments
 The assignment influences your reader’s expectations.
 Thus, your thesis will be influenced by your assignment.
 Certain assignments demand certain thesis statements.
 Informative/Expository
 No Opinion;
:
reader should be interested.
 Argumentative:
 Judgment/Opinion; reader
could disagree
 Analytical:
 Evaluation
based on criteria; reader could disagree and
should be interested
Make sure your thesis is …
 Appropriate for the Assignment and Reader’s Expectations
 Perfectly Clear to the Reader

Does the reader know what your paper is about?
 Detailed and Specific
 Does the reader know the “why” behind your thesis?
“Most countries have Daylight Savings Time.” But why?
 “Daylight Savings Time should be eliminated.” But why?
 “Daylight Savings Time has mixed results.”
But why?
And what results?

To check your thesis, ask …
 What kind of thesis does the reader expect?

Does the reader expect information about a subject, an
evaluation of a subject, or an opinion about a subject?
 If someone read only your thesis, would he or she
know what your paper is about?
 Also, would he or she know the specific reasons “why”
you wrote this particular thesis?
Make sure your thesis is …
 “All – Present” and “All – Powerful”
 Every sentence in the essay should support or prove
your Thesis Statement (which makes it “all-powerful”).
 Thus, your Thesis is “present” throughout the essay.
For Example
 Introduction: “My father’s sister, Jane, has always been





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there for me. She is the person I admire most.”
Thesis: “I admire Aunt Jane because she is hard-working,
humble, and generous.”
1st¶: “Aunt Jane works long hours at two different jobs.”
2nd¶: “She has achieved a lot, but Aunt Jane is humble.”
3rd¶: “Aunt Jane’s generosity knows no bounds.”
Conclusion: “There are few people like Aunt Jane.”
Restated Thesis: “My Aunt Jane’s hard-work, humility, and
generosity have earned my undying admiration.”
Questions?
 If you would like to work on a thesis statement,
please feel free to stay.
 A workshop leader will provide assistance upon
request.