ENG 4U1 Effective Thesis Statement Development for Literary Analysis

Respond to the Prompt A thesis statement should respond directly to the prompt. If the prompt is a direct question, the thesis statement should include a direct answer. A thesis statement should respond directly to the prompt. If the prompt is a direct question, the thesis statement should include a direct answer. If the prompt asks you to develop an opinion or position about a topic or issue, then the thesis statement should clearly promote that one position. If the prompt asks you to develop an opinion or position about a topic or issue, then the thesis statement should clearly promote that one position. Using words and phrases from the prompt in the thesis will make a direct connection and capture the reader’s attention. Using words and phrases from the prompt in the thesis will make a direct connection and capture the reader’s attention.

Include a Definite Statement There should be no “maybes” in a thesis statement. Avoid weak or wishy-washy language. Commit to the point of view you are expressing and stick to one side. There should be no “maybes” in a thesis statement. Avoid weak or wishy-washy language. Commit to the point of view you are expressing and stick to one side.

Create an Arguable Claim This means a thesis statement is a viewpoint or stance rather than a fact. You must have something to argue and you can not argue with facts. This means a thesis statement is a viewpoint or stance rather than a fact. You must have something to argue and you can not argue with facts. Instead, it should reflect a stance that you plan to argue with specific reasons and examples in the body of your essays. Instead, it should reflect a stance that you plan to argue with specific reasons and examples in the body of your essays.

Show Knowledge of the Topic Although you are not expected to be experts about the topic on which you are writing, you should write a thesis from the perspective of someone who has at least done preliminary research. Although you are not expected to be experts about the topic on which you are writing, you should write a thesis from the perspective of someone who has at least done preliminary research. One of the goals of writing an essay is to inform a reader, even if it just of a particular point of view. One of the goals of writing an essay is to inform a reader, even if it just of a particular point of view. Keep this in mind when you are writing. Keep this in mind when you are writing.

Convey a Passionate Perspective Frankly, if you don’t care about your topic, neither will the reader. Frankly, if you don’t care about your topic, neither will the reader. A thesis statement that conveys passion and commitment will entice readers and motivate them to read the entire essay. A thesis statement that conveys passion and commitment will entice readers and motivate them to read the entire essay.

Create Parameters A thesis statement should be specific enough to tackle in a five paragraph essay. A thesis statement should be specific enough to tackle in a five paragraph essay. However, it should be broad enough to invite discussion, allow for analysis, and offer a variety of examples. However, it should be broad enough to invite discussion, allow for analysis, and offer a variety of examples.

Outline the Essay A three-point thesis statement will list the three key reasons used in the body of the essay. By listing these reasons in the thesis, readers will know what to expect in the body of the essay. A three-point thesis statement will list the three key reasons used in the body of the essay. By listing these reasons in the thesis, readers will know what to expect in the body of the essay. A three-point thesis statement will also help keep YOU on track. A three-point thesis statement will also help keep YOU on track. That is, the topic sentence of each body paragraph should relate directly back to a segment of the thesis statement. The order of the paragraphs should follow the order the reasons were introduced in the thesis statement. That is, the topic sentence of each body paragraph should relate directly back to a segment of the thesis statement. The order of the paragraphs should follow the order the reasons were introduced in the thesis statement.

Provide Evidence When you are constructing your thesis, you need to ensure that you can identify sufficient reasons and examples to back up your stance. When you are constructing your thesis, you need to ensure that you can identify sufficient reasons and examples to back up your stance. Your stance will create the stem of your thesis statement – YOUR ARGUMENT. Your stance will create the stem of your thesis statement – YOUR ARGUMENT. That’s why the brainstorming process should occur before you write your thesis. That’s why the brainstorming process should occur before you write your thesis. You should reflect and research enough to have a variety of ideas in your mental filing cabinet. You should reflect and research enough to have a variety of ideas in your mental filing cabinet.

Thesis Statement Checklist To review, here is a checklist To review, here is a checklist Does your thesis statement respond directly to the prompt? Does your thesis statement respond directly to the prompt? Does your thesis contain a definite statement? Does your thesis contain a definite statement? Is your thesis an arguable claim? Is your thesis an arguable claim? Does your thesis show you have knowledge about your topic? Does your thesis show you have knowledge about your topic? Does your thesis illustrate a passionate perspective? Does your thesis illustrate a passionate perspective? Is your statement neither too specific nor too broad? Is your statement neither too specific nor too broad? Does your thesis list the key points to be discussed in your essay? Does your thesis list the key points to be discussed in your essay? Can you provide evidence to back up your thesis? Can you provide evidence to back up your thesis?

A Working Example For this example, we have used the text “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson. This story explores the concept of mass hysteria and is one of the most haunting and shocking stories of American modern fiction. For this example, we have used the text “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson. This story explores the concept of mass hysteria and is one of the most haunting and shocking stories of American modern fiction.“The Lottery” “The Lottery” In this story, Jackson criticizes the notion of challenging traditions, the danger of ritualized behavior, the subjugation of women, and the dark side of human nature. In this story, Jackson criticizes the notion of challenging traditions, the danger of ritualized behavior, the subjugation of women, and the dark side of human nature. Further, it questions individual rights and identity. Further, it questions individual rights and identity.

A Working Example: Respond to the Prompt The prompt for writing a five paragraph literary analysis essay is: The prompt for writing a five paragraph literary analysis essay is: How does Jackson use literary elements to criticize society? How does Jackson use literary elements to criticize society? This prompt assumes that students have already discussed the content of the text, so it’s not a matter of whether Jackson is criticizing the government; instead, the prompt specifically asks how she does it. This prompt assumes that students have already discussed the content of the text, so it’s not a matter of whether Jackson is criticizing the government; instead, the prompt specifically asks how she does it. You need to pay careful attention to the wording of the prompt. You need to pay careful attention to the wording of the prompt. With that in mind, you should use words from the prompt to construct a thesis stem that answers the question. With that in mind, you should use words from the prompt to construct a thesis stem that answers the question.

A Working Example: Include a Definite Statement You need to select a position in your thesis statements that you can argue wholeheartedly. You need to select a position in your thesis statements that you can argue wholeheartedly. Again, avoid vague or wishy-washy language that will leave your reader guessing about your position. Again, avoid vague or wishy-washy language that will leave your reader guessing about your position. A thesis stem that uses language from the prompt and also includes a definite statement could look like this example (this is your ARGUMENT): A thesis stem that uses language from the prompt and also includes a definite statement could look like this example (this is your ARGUMENT): In ‘The Lottery,’ Jackson criticizes society by _________" In ‘The Lottery,’ Jackson criticizes society by _________"

A Working Example: Create an Arguable Claim However you chose to complete this stem (what you will argue), you should be sure that it is a claim that can be argued. However you chose to complete this stem (what you will argue), you should be sure that it is a claim that can be argued. Your thesis statement should not include facts because you cannot argue with facts. Your thesis statement should not include facts because you cannot argue with facts. Instead, it should reflect an opinion that you plan to argue with specific reasons and examples in the body of your essays. Instead, it should reflect an opinion that you plan to argue with specific reasons and examples in the body of your essays.

A Working Example: Show Knowledge of the Topic In this case, the thesis statement should reflect that you have not only read the short story but that you are also familiar with the literary elements you’ve selected. In this case, the thesis statement should reflect that you have not only read the short story but that you are also familiar with the literary elements you’ve selected. If you select “flashback” as one of the literary elements that illustrates how Jackson is criticizing society, make sure that you know what the term means! If you select “flashback” as one of the literary elements that illustrates how Jackson is criticizing society, make sure that you know what the term means! It reveals that you didn’t understand that term since there is no use of flashback in this text. It reveals that you didn’t understand that term since there is no use of flashback in this text. Note: do not automatically use literary elements as supporting reasons unless specified by the prompt – this is a sample thesis. Note: do not automatically use literary elements as supporting reasons unless specified by the prompt – this is a sample thesis.

A Working Example: Create Parameters and Outline the Essay This is the essential purpose of a thesis statement. This is the essential purpose of a thesis statement. A three-point thesis statement accomplishes these two goals. Now that you have created a thesis stem (your argument), you will select three literary elements used in the story to criticize the government. A three-point thesis statement accomplishes these two goals. Now that you have created a thesis stem (your argument), you will select three literary elements used in the story to criticize the government. Each literary element should then be discussed in a separate paragraph in the body of the essay. Here is the completed thesis that both creates parameters that limit the scope of the essay as well as outlines the body of the essay: Each literary element should then be discussed in a separate paragraph in the body of the essay. Here is the completed thesis that both creates parameters that limit the scope of the essay as well as outlines the body of the essay: In “The Lottery,” Shirley Jackson uses irony, static and stock characters, and narrative voice as a means of social criticism. In “The Lottery,” Shirley Jackson uses irony, static and stock characters, and narrative voice as a means of social criticism.

THESIS STATEMENT DECONSTRUCTED: In Harrison Bergeron, Vonnegut criticizes the government by using direct characterization, symbolism and external conflict. ARGUMENT/STEM: ARGUMENT/STEM: Jackson criticizes society Jackson criticizes society SUPPORTING REASONS: SUPPORTING REASONS: Use of irony, static and stock characters, and narrative voice. Use of irony, static and stock characters, and narrative voice.

3 Point Thesis vs. Hidden Thesis 3 Point Thesis: 3 Point Thesis: In “The Lottery,” Shirley Jackson uses irony, static and stock characters, and narrative voice as a means of social criticism. In “The Lottery,” Shirley Jackson uses irony, static and stock characters, and narrative voice as a means of social criticism. Hidden Thesis: Hidden Thesis: In “The Lottery,” Jackson uses literary elements as a means of criticizing the government. In “The Lottery,” Jackson uses literary elements as a means of criticizing the government.

Character Analysis Thesis Holden’s depression, his struggle with loss and sustaining relationships, lead him on a journey to self-discovery. Holden’s depression, his struggle with loss and sustaining relationships, lead him on a journey to self-discovery. Harry Potter is a brave character as he stands up to unknown forces, fights for his friends and creatively defeats his enemies. Harry Potter is a brave character as he stands up to unknown forces, fights for his friends and creatively defeats his enemies.

Cause and Effect Thesis The discriminatory experiences Scout endures during the trial, at school and in her own home teach her to be compassionate. The discriminatory experiences Scout endures during the trial, at school and in her own home teach her to be compassionate. Due to the fact that Holden is lonely, depressed, and fears change, in the end, he is forced to mature and face reality. Due to the fact that Holden is lonely, depressed, and fears change, in the end, he is forced to mature and face reality.

Thematic Thesis Statement Holden and the Invisible Man encounter the ugliness and deceit present within society through their acts of rebellion, violence and methods of communication. Holden and the Invisible Man encounter the ugliness and deceit present within society through their acts of rebellion, violence and methods of communication. Jo and Holden rebel against conformity as a result of their struggles with communication, protecting the innocence of others and the loss of their own innocence. Jo and Holden rebel against conformity as a result of their struggles with communication, protecting the innocence of others and the loss of their own innocence. Theme of power: Ultimately, it is Macbeth’s obsession with power, the supernatural, and guilt that prevents him from realizing his potential greatness. Theme of power: Ultimately, it is Macbeth’s obsession with power, the supernatural, and guilt that prevents him from realizing his potential greatness.