Thesis Statements Ms. Spector Room 231

What is a thesis statement?  A thesis statement is a sentence that tells the reader what your paper will be about  It tells the reader how you will interpret the significance of the subject matter under discussion  Road map of your paper  It is specific and clear  It addresses the prompt or question  Your interpretation of a question or subject, not the subject itself  Taking a stand or making a claim (your argument/position on the topic). Don’t be wishy-washy.

What is a thesis statement?  A good thesis is specific, limited in scope and offers a perspective or interpretation on a subject.  A literary thesis should be clear and focused, setting up an argument that the essay will support with discussion and details from the work.  It is at the end of your introduction paragraph  DO NOT write “In this essay, I’m going to talk about” or any variation of that  It is written in 3 rd person, present tense. No “I”, “We”, “You”, etc.

How Do I Know if My Thesis is Strong?  1) Do I answer the question? Re-reading the question prompt after constructing a working thesis can help you fix an argument that misses the focus of the question 2) Have I taken a position that others might challenge or oppose? If your thesis simply states facts that no one would, or even could, disagree with, it’s possible that you are simply providing a summary, rather than making an argument 3) Is my thesis statement specific enough?

Thesis Examples  Prompt -  Compare and contrast the reasons why the North and South fought the Civil War  Thesis -  The North and South fought the Civil War for many reasons, some of which were the same and some different.  This is too vague! What reasons? How are they the same? How are they different?

Thesis Examples  Prompt -  Compare and contrast the reasons why the North and South fought the Civil War  Thesis -  While both sides fought the Civil War over the issue of slavery, the North fought for moral reasons while the South fought to preserve its own institutions.  Why is this thesis a working thesis, and not a finished, ready to go thesis?

Thesis Examples  Prompt -  Compare and contrast the reasons why the North and South fought the Civil War  Thesis -  While both Northerners and Southerners believed they fought against tyranny and oppression, Northerners focused on oppression of slaves while Southerners defended their own right to self-government.  A great example!

Now You Decide  Prompt -  Write an analysis of some aspect of Mark Twain’s novel Huckleberry Finn.  Thesis #1: Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn is a great American novel.  Thesis #2: Through it’s contrasting river and shore scenes, Twain’s Huckleberry Finn suggests that to find the true expression of American democratic ideals, one must leave “civilized” society and goes back to nature.  Thesis #3: In Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain develops a contrast between life on the river and life on the shore.

Your Thesis  Read the prompt over again to determine what the essay is about  Pick a topic for your essay.  Narrow that topic down into a specific, focused sentence that addresses the prompt and is argumentative  Once you are finished, have Ms. Spector check it!  You’ll need my signature on your sheet, stating that I signed off on your thesis and you’re good to go! **This may take one try, this may take ten tries, it’s okay. It’s practice!