Thesis Statement

What is a thesis statement :

1. A thesis statement declares what you believe and what you intend to prove. A good thesis statement makes the difference between a thoughtful research project and a simple retelling of facts.

2. It should be contestable, proposing an arguable point with which people could reasonably disagree. A strong thesis is provocative; it takes a stand and justifies the discussion you will present.

3. It tackles a subject that could be adequately covered in the format of the project assigned.

4. 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.

5. It anticipates and refutes the counter-arguments .

6. It has to make a claim.

7. It passes the "so what" test- Provocative.

8. Reflects what the text is about (main idea).

9. Directs the structure of the argument.

10. Introduces an essay.

11. Determines what kind of paper you write.

12. Uses literary elements and quotations

The thesis statement has three components :

1)What : Claim about the text (interpretation)

2)How : The litterary elements (figures of speech, symbolism, theme)

3)Why : The significance of your claim answers the question : so what?????


A bad thesis statement is :

1)This poem shows the narrator comparing his love to a summer day
This thesis statement is wrong because it's a plot summary

2)The poem presents the power of love to conquer death
It 's too universal

3)The poem shows how narratives can last while narrators cannot
It's too general

4)The poem proves that the pen is mightier than sword
It's too cliché

5)The structure, character and dialogue in the poem show us how human search for knowledge (UST)

A good thesis statement :

Despite its emphasis on love and physical beauty, the poem reveals the ways in which humans can triumph over the vagaries of nature
Images
Specific/arguable
Provides a stucture for your arguments
It goes beyond «so what» (provocative)