Writing a Thesis Statement

1. Writing a Thesis Statement Or, “What the heck am I going to prove?” Compiled from The Purdue University Online Writing Lab at http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/ and How To Write A Thesis Statement, http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/thesis_statement.shtml#assigned

2. What is a Thesis Statement? • A thesis statement is a sentence (or sentences) that expresses the main ideas of your paper and answers the question or questions posed by your paper. • It offers your readers a quick and easy to follow summary of what the paper is about, and a guide on how you will reveal this.

3. Why Should Your Essay Contain a Thesis Statement? • To test your ideas by distilling them into a sentence or two • To better organize and develop your argument • To provide your reader with a “guide” to your argument Your thesis statement will accomplish these goals if you think of the thesis as the answer to the question your paper explores!

4. General Tips: • Narrow it down - If your thesis statement is too broad you won’t be able to prove it in 3-4 pages. • Make it interesting - Does it pass the “So What?” test? Is it something the reader will want to know about? • Two parts - A thesis statement generally consists of two parts: your topic, and then the analysis, explanation, or assertion that you're making about the topic.

5. For example: “Many minority groups suffered greatly under the Nazi regime during World War II. Jews, Gypsies, and even Catholic priests were subjected to horrible atrocities during this time period.” (This is a broad, general statement)

6. For example: “With the exception of Eastern European Jews, no group suffered more indignant persecution than homosexuals, (this introduces a topic and makes an assertion) who were tortured, stripped of all their worldly possessions, and dehumanized in an orderly, state sponsored campaign.” (this lists how I will prove my assertion or argument)

7. For example: • This thesis statement: • Introduces my topic (persecution of homosexuals) • Makes an assertion (…no group suffered more indignant persecution…) • Lists how I will inform the reader or prove my argument (… were tortured, stripped of all their worldly possessions, and dehumanized in an orderly, state sponsored campaign.).

8. General Tips: • A thesis statement is a very specific statement -- it should cover only what you want to discuss in your paper, and be supported with specific evidence.

9. General Tips: • Generally, a thesis statement appears at the end of the first paragraph of an essay, so that readers will have a clear idea of what to expect as they read.

10. General Tips: • You can think of your thesis as a map or a guide both for yourself and your audience, so it might be helpful to draw a chart or picture of your ideas and how they're connected to help you get started.

11. General Tips: • As you write and revise your paper, it's okay to change your thesis statement -- sometimes you don't discover what you really want to say about a topic until you've started (or finished) writing! Just make sure that your "final" thesis statement accurately shows what will happen in your paper.

12. Strategies for writing a thesis: • Ask yourself “So what?” or “Who cares?” • Review your topic and ask, “What do I find interesting about this?” This is the basis for your thesis statement (“Homosexuals persecuted by the Nazis”). • Once you’ve established a basis or focus, it’s time to ask a question about your topic (“How were homosexuals persecuted?” or “Were homosexuals persecuted to a greater extent than other groups?”). • The answer to this question (or questions) becomes your thesis!

13. Questions to ask yourself: • What am I trying to prove? • What is my claim or assertion? • What are the reasons I have to support my claim or assertion? • In what order should I present my reasons?

14. The End…or is it? Be sure to tune in next week to “Note cards from the Edge”