Creating a Thesis
Statement
Thesis Statement
In general, a thesis statement declares what
you believe and what you intend to prove
It is the central point of focus in your
essay—if you have a strong thesis
statement, your essay can literally fall into
place (if you are sure to follow your thesis)
,
So how can I write an
effective thesis statement?
 A handy formula for creating an effective thesis
statement is:
A specific subject +
A limited focus=
An effective thesis statement
Let’s take a look at your
thesis…
 Make sure you are not summarizing the plot.
 “Plot summary is rarely called for in a
critical paper. The faulty use of plot
summary especially tempts the student
who sets out to write a play or novel
without a thesis. If you have no clear
argument to offer, then you can easily slip
into this summarizing for lack of anything
better to say.” (WAL)
Topic: The role of the adults in
Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet
 General Thesis: Adults mislead the young lovers in
Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.
 Limited Theses:
 The nurse and Friar Laurence mislead the young lovers in
Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.
 The nurse gives poor advice to Juliet in Shakespeare’s
Romeo and Juliet.
 Through his hot temper and impetuous actions, Juliet’s
father becomes a major cause of the suffering and death
of his daughter in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.
Student Sample (41)
 Antigone is a strong character who does what she thinks is
right. When she learns that Creon has proclaimed a law
prohibiting the burial of her brother, Polyneices, she does not
agree with this and decides she will bury him. She does this
by herself since her sister, Ismene, will not help her. She goes
out onto the battlefield and puts dust on her brother’s body.
When she is caught doing this she is brought before Creon,
where she admits performing the action and refuses to
confess that it is wrong. So Creon puts her to death. She
goes to her death as a martyr, proud of her act of reverence
for her brother.
 What aspect of this paragraph stands out to you?
 Define some of the weaknesses presented here.
 How do you think you would revise this if this were your
work?
According to WAL…
 “Amounts largely to a summary of Antigone’s actions.”
 “An acceptable summary, but lacks a point.”
 “Wanders from whatever thesis it might be attempting to
advance and gives the impression that in fact there is no
thesis.”
 “The statement “Antigone is a strong character who does
what she thinks is right: is too general to provide much
direction for the student.”—Leaves us with the question:
“strong in what way?”
Now what?
 As you revise your essay, check your thesis!
 Are your arguments in line with your thesis?
 Either: you may need to rethink your
argument or tweak your thesis to fit the
evidence.
Writing is a PROCESS, don’t be
afraid to completely change your
draft and move text around!!!
Using your Do Now:
 From your lists, circle TWO topics that interest
you the most.
• Now write a sentence that conjoins this two
topics together. Find something these two
topics have in common.
 Remember:
A specific subject +
A limited focus=
An effective thesis statement