What is a Thesis?
 It declares what you intend to prove.
 Not a simple retelling of facts (i.e. a summary)
 Must be clear, concise and easy to identify
 Provides focus for the paper & research
Reminders
 A thesis…
 Is never a question
 Is not a list
 Should not be vague, combative or confrontational
 Should have a definable, arguable claim
 Should be clear and specific
How A Thesis Is Written
 A thesis statement relating to literature always has two
parts: a what and a how.
 What = What you are asserting the author intended to
do
 How = Your description of how the author did it.
Elements of a Thesis
In the 19th century novel Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain
criticizes the shallow optimism of Romanticism by
presenting characters such as Tom, the Duke, and the
Sheperdsons who are victims of their own dreams.
Elements of a Thesis
In the 19th century novel Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain
criticizes the shallow optimism of Romanticism by
presenting characters such as Tom, the Duke, and the
Sheperdsons who are victims of their own dreams.
Elements of a Thesis
In the ground-breaking Harry Potter franchise, author
J.K. Rowling creates a new type of Christian allegory by
presenting Harry Potter as a Christ figure who must
suffer in order to save others.
Elements of a Thesis
In the ground-breaking Harry Potter franchise, author
J.K. Rowling creates a new type of Christian allegory by
presenting Harry Potter as a Christ figure who must
suffer in order to save others.
Elements of a Thesis
Arthur Miller uses his play The Death of a Salesman to
explore the misguided absurdity of the American
Dream by depicting Willy Loman’s vain descent into
self-destruction and the consequent naïve adoration
he receives from his son Happy.
What do all three have in common?
Arthur Miller uses his play The Death of a Salesman to
explore the misguided absurdity of the American Dream by
depicting Willy Loman’s vain descent into self-destruction
and the consequent naïve adoration he receives from his
son Happy.
In the ground-breaking Harry Potter franchise, author J.K.
Rowling creates a new type of Christian allegory by
presenting Harry Potter as a Christ figure who must suffer
in order to save others.
In the 19th century novel Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain
criticizes the shallow optimism of Romanticism by
presenting characters such as Tom, the Duke, and the
Sheperdsons who are victims of their own dreams.
Arthur Miller uses his play The Death of a Salesman
to explore the misguided absurdity of the
American Dream by depicting Willy Loman’s vain
descent into self-destruction and the consequent
naïve adoration he receives from his son Happy.
In the ground-breaking Harry Potter franchise,
author J.K. Rowling creates a new type of Christian
allegory by presenting Harry Potter as a Christ
figure who must suffer in order to save others.
In the 19th century novel Huckleberry Finn, Mark
Twain criticizes the shallow optimism of
Romanticism by presenting characters such as
Tom, the Duke, and the Sheperdsons who are
victims of their own dreams.
The Importance of “By”
 The word “by” separates the “what” and “how” of your
thesis.
 Likely, if you are not using the word “by,” you probably
do not have both parts of the thesis in place.
 There are few appropriate substitutes. “Through the
use of” is one, but I strongly advise you to stick with
the “by” formula.
A Sample
Imagine you are asked the question, “What message about
the world do the realist authors have?”
Bad Thesis:
 The realists say that life is grim.
Better Thesis:
 The realists revolt against romanticism in a grim depiction
of life.
Best Thesis:
 The realists revolt against the imaginative elements of
romanticism by writing short stories wherein the fantasies
of characters do nothing to prevent their violent fates.
A Sample
 Watch the following music video “Jeremy” by the band
Pearl Jam.
 What thesis could you write about what the song is
trying to communicate?
 Pearl Jam - "Jeremy"
“Jeremy”
 Bad Thesis:
 Pearl Jam question the state of modern America.
 Better Thesis:
 In their work “Jeremy,” Pearl Jam present the
consequences of teenage alienation in modern America.
 Best Thesis
 In their grunge rock anthem “Jeremy,” Pearl Jam assert
the dangers of alienation felt by 20th century teenagers
by presenting the violent results of a young man who
has been ignored by his parents, teachers, and
classmates.