1、The Thesis Statement,Definition:,“A thesis is an idea, stated as an assertion, that represents a reasoned response to a question at issue and that serves as of a composition” (Gage 70).The central idea,How should we write the thesis statement?,A thesis statement is a declarative statement. It is not
2、 a title, a fragment, or a question.,Example: Question: Why are biofeedback techniques excellent methods of stress reduction? Thesis: Because of its simplicity, accuracy, and lack of toxicity, biofeedback is often a successful technique for migraine relief.,A thesis statement is an arguable idea, no
3、t a fact.Fact: Cortez conquered Mexico in 1509.Thesis: The colonial mentality which prompted Cortezs barbaric invasion of Mexico brought about not an advance of native society but a destruction of Aztec culture.,A thesis statement is not an announcement of the authors purpose or assignment.,Announce
4、ment: In this paper I will discuss the causes and effects of the French Revolution and then argue as to whether or not it was successful. Thesis: Though the reasons for the French Revolution were noble liberty, fraternity, equalitythe effects were devastating, ultimately leading to the unsuccessful
5、reinstitution of the monarchy.,A thesis statement is specific and narrowed and is not a broad overgeneralization.Broad: Men are chauvinists.Narrow: Men who repress their true feelings leave themselves open to physical and psychological difficulties.,A thesis statement covers only one topic.,Many top
6、ics: The theme, characters, setting, irony, conflicts, viewpoint, and plot all contribute to making Madame Bovary a tragedy.One topic: Flauberts Emma Bovary is a tragic character because, never seeing reality, she misses some important clues that her life has gone awry, and she falls from her social
7、 “height“ into prostitution.,A thesis statement focuses the essay and guides its direction.,Unfocused: Martin Luther King, Jr. is a role model for everyone to follow.Focused: Because of his determination, his courage to follow his beliefs and his unwavering sense of justice, Martin Luther King, Jr.
8、is a symbol of American freedom.,Your thesis needs three components: (TAD),Topic:The narrowed, limited subject of your paper. Attitude:How you will treat and interpret the subject. Development: The proof/points you will cover in the paper.,If you were writing a paper to convince your parents to let
9、you have your own car, can your thesis be something like:,Its important for me to have a car.,Why?!,How about:,Its important for me to have a car so I can take road trips. Why?,What about this?,Having my own car will give me more freedom to explore life, but it will also provide discipline through t
10、he expansion of my household responsibilities.,Now, Consider These,Mark Twains Huckleberry Finn is a great American novel. In Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain develops a contrast between life on the river and life on the shore. Through its contrasting river and shore scenes, Twains Huckleberry Finn sugg
11、ests that to find the true expression of American democratic ideals, one must leave “civilized“ society and go back to nature.,Where is the thesis?,Contrary to popular and parental opinion, quiet study time does not in fact enhance but instead impairs students productivity. Listening to music while
12、studying is in fact a beneficial activity to add to a study regime for better grades because of the way music motivates students and keeps them alert.,Listening to music while studying is in fact a beneficial activity to add to a study regime for better grades because of the way music motivates stud
13、ents and keeps them alert.,Books can be factual about real events, real people, and established facts like magazines, textbooks and reference books. Books can also be imaginative about imaginary events, imaginary people and made-up facts like novels, poetry selections and play scripts. Whatever type
14、 a book belongs to, factual or imaginary, a well-written book benefits the reader from a different angle; therefore, people should read books of both types.,Whatever type a book belongs to, factual or imaginary, a well-written book benefits the reader from a different angle; therefore, people should
15、 read books of both types.,Special gifts are gifts that people rarely give out or receive on a particular occasion. Just because of rareness, special gifts are enriched with the feeling from the giver. The decision to give a special gift, the efforts made in finding one coupled with the rareness of
16、the present make a special gift deeply remembered.,The decision to give a special gift, the efforts made in finding one coupled with the rareness of the present make a special gift deeply remembered.,What is an important decision? An important decision is one that influences us, especially our life
17、to a great extent. An important decision can be either right or wrong. Its importance lies in its impact on such great matters as our career, our way of life and our success in the society.,An important decision can be either right or wrong. Its importance lies in its impact on such great matters as
18、 our career, our way of life and our success in the society.,Your thesis must take a stand, be specific, and engaging enough to justify what you are writing about.,A strong thesis often contains words like:,Because Since So Although Unless Through However,Why?,They help with development!,For Example
19、,Because half of all crack babies are likely to grow up in homes lacking good mental and emotional stimulation, the federal government should finance programs to supplement parental care for crack addicted infants and children.,Lets break this one down,Because half of all crack babies are likely to
20、grow up in homes lacking good mental and emotional stimulation, the federal government should finance programs to supplement parental care for crack addicted infants and children.,Topic: Federal Government Attitude: Should Finance Programs Development: Crack addicted babies are less likely to grow u
21、p in homes lacking good mental stimulation Crack addicted babies are less likely to grow up in homes lacking good emotional stimulation,Lets Try Another,Because the internet is filled with tremendous marketing potential, companies should take advantage by using web pages that offer both advertising
22、and customer support.,Topic:,Companies,Attitude:,Should use web pages that offer advertising and customer support,Development:,The tremendous marketing potential of the internet,One more,Hunger persists in Appalachia because jobs are scarce and farming in the infertile soil is rarely profitable.,Top
23、ic:,Hunger in Appalachia,Attitude:,Persists,Development:,Jobs are scarce Farming in infertile soil is rarely profitable,Your topic needs to be:,Single:,Narrow-dont try to take on so much!,Supportable:,Is there enough evidence to support and defend your thesis statement?,Significant:,Why write about
24、it if its not important?,Basic Steps for Writing a Thesis Statement,1. After you have decided your topic, you need to narrow it down.,Broad: British Poetry Narrow: Gender Characteristics in Two PoemsMore Narrow: John Donnes “Death Be Not Proud” contrasted with Elizabeth Barret Brownings “Sonnet 43”,
25、2. Put your topic into a sentence.,Elizabeth Barret Brownings “Sonnet 43”is different from John Donnes “Death Be Not Proud.“,3. Add your argument, viewpoint, or opinion to your topic to make your thesis persuasive.,Elizabeth Barret Brownings “Sonnet 43”is essentially a more feminine poem, while John
26、 Donnes “Death Be Not Proud“ is more masculine.,4. Elaborate on your thesis so that it addresses all parts of your assignment.,Although Elizabeth Barret Browning and John Donne both personify death in their poems, the tone, language, and images are clearly feminine in “Sonnet 43” and masculine in “D
27、eath Be Not Proud.“,5. Organize your thesis to guide the direction of your paper.,Although Elizabeth Barret Browning and John Donne both personify death in their poems, the tone, images, and language are clearly more feminine in “Sonnet 43” than in “Death Be Not Proud.“,6. Edit your thesis for content, word choice and precision.,Although Elizabeth Barret Browning and John Donne both personify death in their poems, the images, language, and tone clearly reveal a womans perspective in “Sonnet 43,“ and a mans perspective in “ Death Be Not Proud.“,
