Writing a Thesis
Statement
Or,
“What the heck am I going to prove?”
Compiled from The Purdue University Online Writing Lab at http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/
and How To Write A Thesis Statement, http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/thesis_statement.shtml#assigned
What is a Thesis
Statement?
•
•
A thesis statement is a sentence (or
sentences) that expresses the main
ideas of your paper and answers the
question or questions posed by your
paper.
It offers your readers a quick and easy
to follow summary of what the paper
is about, and a guide on how you will
reveal this.
Why Should Your Essay
Contain a Thesis
Statement?
• To test your ideas by distilling them
into a sentence or two
• To better organize and develop
your argument
• To provide your reader with a
“guide” to your argument
Your thesis statement will accomplish these goals if you think
of the thesis as the answer to the question your paper explores!
General Tips:
•Narrow it down - If your thesis
statement is too broad you won’t be able
to prove it in 3-4 pages.
•Make it interesting - Does it pass the
“So What?” test? Is it something the
reader will want to know about?
•Two parts - A thesis statement
generally consists of two parts: your
topic, and then the analysis,
explanation, or assertion that you're
making about the topic.
For example:
“Many minority groups suffered
greatly under the Nazi regime
during World War II. Jews, Gypsies,
and even Catholic priests were
subjected to horrible atrocities
during this time period.” (This is a
broad, general statement)
For example:
“With the exception of Eastern European Jews,
no group suffered more indignant persecution
than homosexuals, (this introduces a topic and
makes an assertion) who were tortured,
stripped of all their worldly possessions, and
dehumanized in an orderly, state sponsored
campaign.” (this lists how I will prove my
assertion or argument)
For example:
• This thesis statement:
1.Introduces my topic (persecution of
homosexuals)
2.Makes an assertion (…no group suffered
more indignant persecution…)
3.Lists how I will inform the reader or
prove my argument (… were tortured,
stripped of all their worldly possessions,
and dehumanized in an orderly, state
sponsored campaign.).
General Tips:
•A thesis statement is a very
specific statement -- it
should cover only what you
want to discuss in your paper,
and be supported with
specific evidence.
General Tips:
•Generally, a thesis statement
appears at the end of the first
paragraph of an essay, so that
readers will have a clear idea of
what to expect as they read.
General Tips:
•You can think of your thesis as a map or
a guide both for yourself and your
audience, so it might be helpful to draw
a chart or picture of your ideas and how
they're connected to help you get
started.
General Tips:
•As you write and revise your paper, it's
okay to change your thesis statement -sometimes you don't discover what you
really want to say about a topic until
you've started (or finished) writing! Just
make sure that your "final" thesis
statement accurately shows what will
happen in your paper.
Strategies for
writing a thesis:
• Ask yourself “So what?” or “Who cares?”
• Review your topic and ask, “What do I find
interesting about this?” This is the basis for
your thesis statement (“Homosexuals
persecuted by the Nazis”).
• Once you’ve established a basis or focus, it’s
time to ask a question about your topic (“How
were homosexuals persecuted?” or “Were
homosexuals persecuted to a greater extent
than other groups?”).
• The answer to this question (or questions)
becomes your thesis!
Questions to ask
yourself:
•What am I trying to prove?
•What is my claim or assertion?
•What are the reasons I have to support
my claim or assertion?
•In what order should I present my
reasons?
The End
…or is it?
Be sure to tune in next week to
“Note cards from the Edge”