Thesis
Statements
Definition:
A thesis statement is a
sentence that expresses the
main ideas of your paper.
It may answer the question
posed by your paper (if
applicable).
It should include these
two parts:
Your topic
The analysis or
explanation that you are
making about the topic.
A Thesis Statement
IS A…
Very specific statement
It should cover only what
you want to talk about and
what can be supported by
evidence or textual support.
Where does it go?
Put your thesis statement
as the last sentence of
your first paragraph.
Three types of writing
where thesis statements
are necessary:
 Expository
 Analytical
 Argumentative
You are doing an Analytical
thesis statement
You are
 breaking down an issue or an
idea into parts
 Evaluating the issue or idea
 Presenting this breakdown
and evaluation to an
audience (your teacher).
Analytical thesis
statements explain:
1. what you are analyzing,
2. the parts you are analyzing, and
3. the order in which you will be
presenting your analysis
Remember: Whatever order you
put them in, the body of the paper
must follow this order.
SO, a good thesis
sentence…
Determines what you are
required to say in your paper
is a road map for the paper;
in other words, it tells the
reader what to expect from
the rest of the paper.
More tips….
Avoid vague words such as
“interesting,” “exciting,”
that tell the reader
nothing.
Avoid jargon and clichés
More tips….
• It should be limited to what
you can realistically cover in
the space allotted
– Not too broad
• It should narrow your line of
argument or limit it.
– But not too limited so you have
trouble writing enough information
Let’s Practice/Revise…
• Original Thesis:
– Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn is a
great American novel.
• Revised Thesis
– In Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain
develops a contrast between life on the
river and life on the shore.
Let’s Practice/Revise…
 Original Thesis:
– There are many characteristics of Madame Loisel in
“The Necklace”.
 Revised Thesis:
 Madame Loisel exhibits many unique
characteristics such as bravery, unkindness, and
foolishness in the short story, “The Necklace.”
 Madame Loisel is an unkind person who acts
foolishly and irrationally in the story, “The
Necklace.”
 In the short story “The Necklace”, Madame
Loisel is obnoxious, materialistic, and unfriendly.
Let’s Practice/Revise…
 Original Thesis:
The theme of evil is shown in literature
and also in music.
Evil is a theme in many songs today.
 Revised Thesis:
 The theme of evil in “The Possibility of Evil”
is significant throughout the story and is
portrayed in modern music as well.
 The theme of evil is exhibited in the short
story “The Possibility of Evil”, as well as in
the songs titled, “I hate you” by Good
Charlotte, “You stink so take a shower”
by Smelly Feet, and “It fits like a
Glove” by O.J.
Maintain Parallel Structure
• Nick is manipulative because he
abuses Caitlin, lies to Tom and Nick
doesn’t like to talk to Mario about his
father’s abuse.
• The verbs aren’t all the same tense/format
• Nick is manipulative because he
abuses Caitlin, lies to Tom and hides
his father’s abuse.
• This is better because they all start the same way;
they are “parallel” to eachother. This is clearer.
So once you’ve
figured out your
thesis statement,
start your paper by
creating an
OUTLINE
Why Create an Outline?
Why create an outline?
• Helps in the process of
writing
• Helps organize your ideas
• Presents your material in a
logical form
Why create an outline?
•
Shows relationships among ideas
in your writing
EXAMPLE:
I. This is the big topic
A. This is a part of the big topic (I).
B. This is another part of the big topic
(I).
1. This talks about something which is
connected to information in B.
2. This is another thing about B
II. This is another big topic
How do I create an
Outline?
1. Define the PURPOSE of
your paper.
2. Determine your audience
- WHO are you writing for?
How do I create an Outline?
3. Develop the THESIS of
your paper
- The thesis a sentence
that acts as the
roadmap for your
paper.
THEN….
4. Brainstorm
- List all the ideas that you
want to include in your paper
THEN….
5.
Organize
- Group related ideas together
6.
Arrange the materials in
subsections
- Work from general ideas to
specific examples
THEN….
7. Label your information
- create main and sub
headings
Breathing Underwater
Paper
• For this paper, I’ve created an outline
for you.
• Please note how it is organized.