1. In seven-ish easy steps…

2.  The thesis statement is essentially choosing a side.  Each side WANTS to win the argument  BUT THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE! (That is a lot funnier if you have seen/read the Highlander series.)  The only way to win is to make an argument, and prove you are correct using evidence and logic. (Evidence and logic are sort of the plays from the game/play book… here is the goal, here is what to do to meet that goal…)

3.  Be Specific  …but Not Too Specific  Have ONE Main Idea  Take a Side  Tell the Reader What to Expect  Address the Thesis MULTIPLE Times in the Paper USING EVIDENCE  Make an Argument/Be a LITTLE Controversial

4.  Using vague terms such as “some,” “people,” “seems,” “probably,” etc. does not show evidence of having read the material.  If the thesis statement can be applied to subjects other than the specific areas about which are being written—make it more specific.

5.  By the time the reader gets to the thesis statement, they have already read the introduction paragraph. The thesis does not need to restate that information (title of the book, explanation of characters, etc.)

6.  The thesis should have ONE core purpose.  Meaning, that if the papers states something “could be one way or another,” or “Some of the time…” Too many ideas have probably been incorporated into the thesis.  If the paper uses terms like “and” or “in addition to,” etc. Too many ideas have probably been incorporated into the thesis.

7.  Here is the problem: If there are too many “main ideas” running through the paper, the paper will never ultimately prove/defend all those ideas. The ideas will end up as half completed arguments.  OR the ideas will end up adequately defending one part of the thesis, while ignoring the rest.  In which case, the paper should have been about the defendable argument in the first place.

8.  It is OK to have a “one-sided” opinion when writing a thesis statement. The reader will understand that you may not fully be against the other side.  If a side is not chosen, the paper will not have a point. Nor will it have ONE main idea. (See previous slides.)  A player will not play for multiple teams during one game.

9.  The paper should let the reader know what the topic will be.  THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT THE ENTIRE PAPER SHOULD BE OUTLINED IN THE THESIS STATEMENT.  It DOES mean that as the reader is reading the evidence and analysis, they know what points are being made/defended.

10.  Secret: Thesis statements are NEEDY, and desperate for attention!  Meaning, the essay needs to mention it OFTEN.  Tie EVERY point made back to the Thesis statement.  Try to do this without being too repetitive in word/phrase choice. Tip: If a word or phrase for a specific purpose (introducing an argument, for example)is used more than two or three times in the paper – go back and reword

11.  If the thesis statement is something with which everyone (or a large majority) agree, then it has defeated the purpose of writing the paper. (There is no “game” to that.)  If the thesis is arguable, or a little controversial, and the evidence PROVES that the analysis is correct, the reader has learned something new. (Or, at the very least, proved the thesis to be correct.)

12.  If the paper is TOO controversial, no one will want to read it… much less acknowledge the points it makes…  Also, being TOO controversial often becomes abrasive and rude… which is NOT part of Academic Tone!

13.  A solid thesis statement means that you have a head start in the game. With it, you can write a strong paper.  STRONG PAPERS WIN GAMES (or at least good grades…), CHILDREN!