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What’s Your Thesis?. Annandale Writing Center CG 409. What is a Thesis Statement?. Thesis literally means, “ a statement to be proved .” It is not self-evident. It needs “to be proved.” It requires support. Your thesis statement is the main point or central claim of your paper.
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What’s Your Thesis? Annandale Writing Center CG 409
What is a Thesis Statement? • Thesis literally means, “a statement to be proved.” • It is notself-evident. It needs “to be proved.” It requires support. • Your thesis statement is the main point or central claim of your paper. • Your thesis is the reason your paper exists. Without a thesis, you do not have a paper.
Thesis Statements and Assignments • The assignment influences your reader’s expectations. • Thus, your thesis will be influenced by your assignment. • Certain assignments demand certain thesis statements. • Informative/Expository : • No Opinion; reader should be interested. • Argumentative: • Judgment/Opinion; reader could disagree • Analytical: • Evaluation based on criteria; reader could disagree and should be interested
Make sure your thesis is … • Appropriate for the Assignment and Reader’s Expectations • Perfectly Clear to the Reader • Does the reader know what your paper is about? • Detailed and Specific • Does the reader know the “why” behind your thesis? • “Most countries have Daylight Savings Time.” But why? • “Daylight Savings Time should be eliminated.” But why? • “Daylight Savings Time has mixed results.” But why? And what results?
To check your thesis, ask … • What kind of thesis does the reader expect? • Does the reader expect information about a subject, an evaluation of a subject, or an opinion about a subject? • If someone read only your thesis, would he or she know what your paper is about? • Also, would he or she know the specific reasons “why” you wrote this particular thesis?
Make sure your thesis is … “All – Present” and “All – Powerful” Every sentence in the essay should support or prove your Thesis Statement (which makes it “all-powerful”). Thus, your Thesis is “present” throughout the essay.
For Example Introduction: “My father’s sister, Jane, has always been there for me. She is the person I admire most.” Thesis: “I admire Aunt Jane because she is hard-working, humble, and generous.” 1st¶: “Aunt Jane works long hours at two different jobs.” 2nd¶: “She has achieved a lot, but Aunt Jane is humble.” 3rd¶: “Aunt Jane’s generosity knows no bounds.” Conclusion: “There are few people like Aunt Jane.” Restated Thesis: “My Aunt Jane’s hard-work, humility, and generosity have earned my undying admiration.”
Questions? If you would like to work on a thesis statement, please feel free to stay. A workshop leader will provide assistance upon request.