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Learn how to create a dynamic analytical thesis that engages readers through a cause-and-effect relationship. Find out the steps to form a focused thesis statement and develop it into a researched, arguable position. Discover resources and examples to enhance your thesis writing skills.
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The thesis statement • Is a single assertive sentence in the essay. • Contains the writer’s position on the topic. • The main IDEA under which all sub points and supporting arguments huddle
Controls the limits of the essay • Only discuss the topic as outlines in the thesis
The test for a thesis: URPS • U: Is the thesis unified ( 1 main idea only) • R: Is it restricted? (attempting too much?) • P: Is it precise? ( Clear specific words?) • S: Is it significant? (fact or an idea/opinion?)
Developing a Dynamic Analytical Thesis • In order to make your reader care about your thesis, you need to make it dynamic – the opposite of static. A static thesis is descriptive – it simply describes the topic. • It simply states a fact.
A dynamic thesis looks at topic and sees a pattern, and then moves a reader step by step through the pattern. • Rather than being descriptive, the dynamic thesis is analytical.
How to do it? • The thesis should answer the question “So what?” “What about it?” • The thesis often expresses a cause-effect relationship.
The Process of Creating and Narrowing a Thesis • Topic • General area of interest
Focus development • Focus Definition • A suitable question to inquire about with respect to your topic
Forming a focus (The overview) • Combine your thoughts with what you are reading • This will help to develop a focus
Focus characteristics • Always in the form of a QUESTION (i.e. an issue) • Judgmental types of questions • Can be a topic aspect or theme within a topic
Resources to help form a focus • Indexes and tables of contents of books related to the topic • Prefaces and introductions of books • Chapter summaries • Further reading lists (reference lists at end of chapters of book or articles)
Formation of the thesis statement • Thesis equals hypothesis (idea about the answer to your question) • Answers “What about it?” • This is the “real” purpose or intention of your writing!
Ingredients to a THESIS STATEMENT • Researched • Takes a stand or point of view • Is arguable ( idea, often cause-effect)
Example: • Topic: Diet • Focus: Nutrition of Elite Athletes
POSSIBLE FOCUS STATEMENTS: • What are the special nutritional needs of elite athletes?
Are these good thesis statements? • Athletes and nutrition. • Athletes’ diets are a concern. • Athletes require specific nutritional considerations. • The changing views of females in society have influenced the development of recreational and organized sports for women in North America ,resulting in equality for women in the Olympics.