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