LITERARY ANALYSIS CONSTRUCTION
THESIS
There are two aspects that must be present in any thesis statement that is worthy of being written:
1. Textual Evidence
2. Specific Argument
Your thesis should include both textual evidence (some description of the text and what you think is important or
interesting in it) and a specific argument (the argumentative context in which you are making some claim about
what you have seen).
The argument should always answer the question “So what?” regarding the textual evidence. Do not just offer some
facts about the text, or statements that cannot be debated. For example, “Elie Wiesel from Night struggles to
survive” is self-evident and does not warrant an argumentative essay. No critical reader would bother to read such an
essay since its central claim provokes no argumentative thought, which equates to little to no interest. If you do
merely state a fact about the text, I will ask you “So what?” or, “What is important ABOUT the fact?”
For instance: if your thesis statement is something along the lines of:
William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet depicts opposing characters like Benvolio and Tybalt.
I will point out that this is merely a factual plot reference, not a claim about the text; basically, no one who has read
the story could reasonably conclude otherwise. You’re just telling me that Benvolio and Tybalt are contrasting
characters, not what is important or interesting ABOUT the fact that they are opposing. (So what?)
But do not abandon this sort of sentence; after all, you have to begin by noticing something. Just make it the first part
of your thesis:
The opposition of Benvolio and Tybalt in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. . .
becomes the subordinate clause (the textual evidence) in your thesis statement.
Then comes the all-important argumentative verb, something along the lines of:
demonstrates, suggests, explains, shows, hints, illustrates, illuminates, displays, manifests, or reveals
These verbs indicate to me that you are making a claim about the text in relation to some larger issue.
Sample Thesis Draft #1
The opposition of Benvolio and Tybalt in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet demonstrates the good and evil
natures that exist in man.
Now you’re getting somewhere! You have textual evidence (Benvolio and Tybalt are opposites) and an argument
(they demonstrate the good and evil in man). Your paper isn’t merely going to tell me a list of examples depicting
how Benvolio and Tybalt are different in the play; instead, you are using this factual plot reference to remark on a
larger issue about mankind: good and evil, but let’s specify the “so what factor.”
Sample Thesis Draft #2
The opposition of Benvolio and Tybalt in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet demonstrates the good and evil
natures that exist in man, thus proving that evil is a destructive force.
Now that you have both parts, let’s sharpen up the language.
Sample Thesis Draft #3
In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare presents Benvolio and Tybalt as foils in order to emphasize the conflict
between good and evil natures that exist in man, thus proving that evil is a destructive force.
Note the differences in the drafts: my textual evidence is more specific, while still leaving plenty of room for
elaboration in my paper; and I have clarified and specified the phrasing of my argument.