Generating a Good Thesis Statement

1. Generating a Good Thesis Statement

2. Remember… Almost all assignments, no matter how complicated, can be reduced to a single question.

3. To begin… 1 What is the assignment? 2 Distill the assignment into a simple question.

4. Example Assignment: Write a research paper about the impact of the Italian Renaissance upon the arts. Question: What was the impact of the Italian Renaissance upon the arts?

5. Next… After you have written the question your paper will address, write one or two sentences that answer the question.

6. Example The Italian Renaissance bridged the Middle Ages to modern times. Calling upon classical resources, the era became known for its intellectual pursuits in the arts.

7. A good thesis statement will usually include four attributes…

8. -1- A subject upon which reasonable people could disagree

9. -2- A subject that can be adequately covered in the space of the assignment.

10. -3- Express one main idea

11. -4- Provide the author’s ideas or assertions about the subject

12. Recap • Write your topic. • Write a question about the topic. • Respond to the question with one or two sentences. Complete the introduction based upon your response to the question.

13. The best introductions will pose a clear purpose and give a tease about what is to follow. • Cite at least one source in the introduction. • Tell the reader what you intend to tell them in the paper. • Keep the introduction to about one or two pages double spaced.