1. Thesis and Outline

2. One sentence that is the main or controlling idea of the whole paper
Thesis Notes
One sentence that is the main or controlling idea of the whole paper
Mention the topic of the paper in the thesis
Mention your main points in the thesis
Avoid words like “I” and “In this paper, I will discuss” or “This paper discusses…”

3. Honors- Attributes of a good thesis:
Your introduction MUST include the title and author of the work you will discuss; therefore, you may include the title and author of work in the thesis.
Your thesis should not be a simple sentence. It should be compound, complex, or compound/complex.

4. Honors- Attributes of a good thesis
It should be contestable, proposing an arguable point with which people could reasonably disagree.
A strong thesis takes a stand and justifies the discussion you will present.
The thesis statement should be arguable, not simply a fact.
It is specific and focused.
A strong thesis proves a point without discussing “everything about Instead of music, think “American jazz in the 1930s” and your argument about it.
It clearly asserts your own conclusion based on evidence without using words like “I” or “In this paper I will…”.
It provides the reader with a map to guide him/her through your work.

5. Honors- Attributes of a good thesis:
It avoids vague language.
Ex: “It seems”, “It could be reasonably inferred”
It avoids the first person.
Ex: I believe,” “In my opinion”, “In this paper”
It should pass the So what? or Who cares? Test.
Would your most honest friend ask why he should care or respond with “but everyone knows that”?)
For instance, “people should avoid driving under the influence of alcohol,” would be unlikely to evoke any opposition.

6. Thesis-Honors Examples
Francis Bacon, a philosopher whose interesting life and career reflected the diversity and turbulence of the Renaissance, taught modern day readers to embrace differences rather than applaud prejudice.
In Joseph Conrad’s novella Heart of Darkness, Kurtz symbolizes man’s ability to become dehumanized through distress, authority, and oppression, thus constructing an allegory for all of humanity.

7. Thesis-Honors Examples
In her novel Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronte uses fire and ice symbolism to contrast Jane’s conflicting emotions as she navigates from innocence to experience, thus representing the turbulent emotions experienced by young women of all generations.
In William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, Petruchio, because of his ability to use language with precision, is far more successful at manipulating people than Lucentio, suggesting that Shakespeare views language, not money or social status, as the true source of power.

8. Thesis- Honors Examples
In Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, the dense, mysterious landscape of the largely unexplored interior of the African jungle represents the darkness in man’s heart, a darkness that the protagonist, Marlow, and all people struggle to overcome

9. Thesis Stem Ideas- Honors
The verbal, situational, and dramatic irony in help to reinforce the of the novel.
Because uses imagery so well, young readers are drawn into the novel.
Characterization, both direct and indirect, is so well used in (this story) that the characters permanently become a part of the reader’s world.
As a protagonist, is one of the most admirable fictional characters because of his/her . . ., . . ., and

10. “Archaeologist”
Thesis: A career as an archaeologist requires intense study and the ability to withstand harsh conditions, but it is a tremendously satisfying job that is never boring.
Definition
Training and Education
Working conditions
Salary and Benefits
Social and Psychological factors

11. “Optometrist”
Thesis: Becoming an optometrist is not easy, but if you are intelligent, hardworking, and compassionate, you can achieve this rewarding career.
History of career
Training and education
Job overview and tasks
Salary and benefits
Related fields

12. “Francis Bacon”
Thesis: Francis Bacon was a philospher whose interesting life and career reflected the diversity and turbulence of the Renaissance
Early life
Middle years
Accomplishments
Historical influences
Later years