Thesis Paper Tutorial
9th Grade
Strategies for Composing
Hooks or Opening
Statements:
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Use a vivid quotation
Create a visual image that represents your subject
Create an analogy for your subject
Offer a surprising/interesting statistic or other fact
State an opinion related to your thesis
Ask a question or define a word central to your subject (Note=
Use these techniques very sparingly and cautiously, as they
may be considered cliché)
Anatomy of the Introduction:
1st Sentence: Hook or Opening Sentence
Engages the reader’s attention
2nd – 3rd Sentence
Should mention the author’s complete name and the complete
title of the work being analyzed
3rd - 5th Sentences
Function to transition ideas from hook to thesis
Thesis Statement
Final sentence(s) of the introduction paragraph
Topic Sentence
Topic Sentence = title of
novel (underlined)
+ author
+ summary of the novel.
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Examples
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The Giver, by Lois Lowry is a story about a
boy who begins to question the world
around him; and when he does he learns
that nothing in his world is what it seems.
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“The Tell-tale Heart”, by Edgar Allen Poe is
a story about a criminal who’s guilt
becomes so great that he eventually goes
mad and turns himself in.
 Try creating an introductory
background statement about
“The Odyssey”
What is a Thesis Statement? A thesis statement is an
argument or a hypothesis, the “main” point of
your work; an unproved statement, especially
one serving as a foundation in a paper or
project. It is typically the last or second to last
sentence of your introduction.
Functions and Purposes of a Thesis Statement.
• To announce the topic to the reader
• To reflect a judgment about the topic
• To provide the reader with a blueprint for what
is to come in the paper
Step 3 (Thesis Statement)Choose your Evidence
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This is the “For example” part
Support your answer in 1
sentence with 3 pieces of
evidence.
Do not explain your evidence or
go into detail (this is what your
body paragraphs are for.)
You try:
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The Odyssey, by Homer is an epic poem about a
hero’s perilous ten year journey home after the
trojan war. There are several character traits that
make Odysseus an ideal hero. Through Odysseus
Homer teaches us what a true hero should be like
by contrasting Odysseus with his men.
Thesis =
 Unlike his men, Odysseus for
example is loyal, determined
and intelligent.
Thesis Statement Examples
Thesis Statement
Critique
Odysseus has many personality triats that
show up multiple times throught this book,
including cleverness, self restraint, and
bravery.
What do cleverness, self restraint and
bravery earn O? Why are they
significant? Take this nice structure
beyond observation to analysis...
Stories are told about heroes to inspire
people to reach beyond their potentials.
Odysseus the hero of The Odyssey inspires
readers mainly through his heroic traits of
refusing temptation, using intelligence over
strength, and staying loyal to his wife.
A solid statement! However body
paragraphs 1 and 3 (refusing
temptation and staying loyal) are too
similar. Choose a different third
argument.
Odysseus, on the contrary to many popular
readings should not be considered a hero
because his pride inevitabally costs him his
crew, almost compromises his relationship
with his wife and almost costs him his own
life.
This sounds like a strong argument in
the making, but this is very wordy. Split
this sentence up and reword it for
clarity.
Focus
Outline for Your Thesis Paper
1
Introduction/ Thesis Paragraph: Where you state
background info, and give a thesis statement.
EX–-Unlike
his men, Odysseus for example is
loyal, determined and intelligent.
2
Body Paragraph 1: Loyal
3
Body Paragraph 2: Determined
4
Body Paragraph 3: Intelligent
5
Conclusion Paragraph:
Anatomy of a body Paragraph:
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Consider the following model of a typical
literary analysis paragraph:
Supporting
Detail*
Supporting
Supporting
Detail*
Detail*
Concluding Sentence
Body Paragraph Checklist:
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Consider the following when using supporting quotes and passages in your writing:
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Lead into or set up your quote/passage with speaker (character/narrator) and occasion
(context, or what’s happening in the plot
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Follow up a quote with at least two sentences of commentary and analysis before
moving on to the next supporting detail
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Avoid excessive plot summary
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Be sure the quote is relevant to your topic sentence and thesis—does your quote help
prove your point?
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Avoid letting the quote speak for itself—avoid “dropping” the quote
Sentence
Type
Topic
Sentence
Body paragraph # 1
One way Odysseus differs from his men through
his acts of loyalty.
Set up quote
In the beginning of the epic the reader finds
Odysseus on the goddess Calypso’s island.
Calypso tries to offer Odysseus immortality to
stay with her, but he refuses because he
loves his wife.
Give Quote
Calypso out of jealousy questions Odysseus’
love for his wife saying, “Can I be less
desirable than she is? Less interesting? Less
beautiful?” (Homer 109-110).
Explain
quote
The reader can infer Odysseus’ loyalty to his
wife in the fact that Calypso is practically
begging Odysseus to stay with her.
Active and Academic Verbs to
Use in Critical Literary Analysis
Emphasizes
Elucidates
Compares
Suggests
Creates
IllustratesExemplifies
Parallels
Juxtaposes
Implies
Alludes to
Observes
Identifies Organizes
Reinforces
Defines
Clarifies
Contrasts Argues
Mirrors
Echoes
Develops Connotes
Focuses
Balances Relates
Expresses Insinuates