1. A NOTE ABOUT THESIS STATEMENTS Any time that you create a thesis statement, you are building an argument that must be proven! What you prove MUST NOT be completely obvious. (Ex. “In Things Fall Apart, Okonkwo is the central character.) What you prove MUST NOT be exclusively literal. You MUST reveal a deeper understanding and make abstractions.

2. TOPIC The TOPIC reveals the context of the thesis—the text(s) analyzed. Examples 1. John Smith’s autobiographical account... 2. Considering Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech...

3. CLAIM (VERB) The CLAIM tells what the text is doing to arrive at the universal idea. Review the list of verbs for academic discourse. For practice, “uses” is a good place to start. Examples: 1. John Smith’s autobiographical account uses... 2. Considering Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, King uses...

4. DIRECTION The DIRECTION tells how the text arrives at the universal idea. DIRECTION = rhetorical devices Examples: 1. John Smith’s autobiographical account uses imagery, diction, and point of view... 2. Considering Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, King uses analogy, repetition, and emotional appeal...

5. QUALIFIER The QUALIFIER links the direction to the universal idea. “to prove that” (there are more constructions possible) Examples: 1. John Smith’s autobiographical account uses metaphor, diction, and point of view to prove that... 2. Considering Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s ‘I Have a Dream’ speech, King uses analogy, repetition, and emotional appeal to prove that...

6. UNIVERSAL IDEA The UNIVERSAL IDEA is the larger idea or purpose at work in the text. The UNIVERSAL IDEA part should reveal meaning about the abstract noun. Examples: 1. John Smith’s autobiographical account uses metaphor, diction, and point of view to prove that success is measured by one’s ability to conquer. 2. Considering Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s ‘I Have a Dream’ speech, King uses analogy, repetition, and emotional appeal to prove that equality is the foundation of a truly democratic society.