Writing Thesis Statements for your Research

1. Writing Thesis Statements for your Research

2. Why, a thesis? • A thesis statement declares what you intend to prove. • A thesis gives your work focus. • A good thesis statement makes the difference between a thoughtful research project and a simple retelling of facts.

3. Some Defining Features • It's a one- or two- sentence statement that explicitly outlines the purpose or point of your paper. A thesis is to a paper what a topic sentence is to a paragraph. • It argues one main point and doesn't squeeze three different theses for three different papers into one sentence

4. Some More Defining Feature • It is an assertion that a reasonable person could disagree with. It is not a fact or casual observation; it must beg to be proved. • It takes a position on a topic rather than simply announcing that the paper is about a topic (the title should have already told your reader your topic). Don't tell a reader about something; tell them what about something. Answer the questions "how?" or "why?".

5. What does a thesis look like? 2 Simple equations: Specific topic+Attitude/Angle/Argument=Thesis (or 3 Ts: Topic + ‘Tude’= Thesis) OR What you plan to argue +How you plan to argue it = Your thesis

6. Attributes of a good thesis: Contestable--proposes an argument with which people could reasonably disagree Provocative--takes a stand and justifies the discussion you will present. Coverable--could be adequately covered in the format of the project assigned. Specific and focused--proves a point without discussing “everything in the world about …” Provable-- asserts your own conclusion based on solid evidence.

7. Don’t rush your thesis! A good tentative thesis will help you focus your search for information. You must do a lot of background reading before you know enough about a subject to identify the key or essential questions. You may not know how you stand on an issue until you have examined the evidence. You will likely begin your research with a working, preliminary or tentative thesis which you will continue to refine until you are certain of where the evidence leads.

8. Be flexible! The evidence may lead you to a conclusion you didn't think you'd reach. It is perfectly okay to change your thesis!

9. How will you find a thesis? As you research look for: Interesting contrasts or comparisons or patterns emerging in the information Something about the topic that surprises you Ideas that make you wonder why? Priorities you can weigh

10. The Analytical Thesis Statement Created for papers where an issue is broken down or evaluated

11. The Expository Thesis Statement Explains something to the audience

12. The Argumentative Thesis Statement Makes a claim about a topic and justifies that claim. Includes the claim, the reasons/evidence to support the claim, and the order in which the reasons or evidence will be discussed

13. I have a thesis. Where do I put it? Because the rest of the paper will support or back up your thesis, a thesis is normally placed at or near the end of the introductory paragraph. (The opening paragraph serves to set the context for the thesis.)

14. Sample Thesis Statements • Ever since Willa Cather was young, she listened to the stories of others, which influenced her to become a novelist, journalist and publisher.

15. Willa Cather’s interesting life witnessed many changes from a pioneer upbringing in Nebraska to the industrialization of the expanding US which all inspired her literary career.

16. Arthur Miller used his own life experiences, sometimes drawing upon important events in American history, to create plays that informed audiences about the injustices of society.

17. Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote about Puritan times but incorporated many transcendentalist and rationalist ideas into his themes.

18. The influences in Edgar Allan Poe’s life led him to Transcendentalist themes him his writing, despite his claim to despise the Transcendentalists.

19. Finding an interesting, thought-provoking statement about your author that the biographical, historical, and literary criticism sections will relate to.

20. Research • During your research you will locate at least 8 sources. Write down or cut and paste the MLA citations into a document. Your final works cited page will list your sources in alphabetical order. • Take Cornell Notes on the sources you find. Record the sources on your notes. You will cite at least 5 sources in your final paper. Use quotation marks to indicate direct quotes. • This step is due your first day back from Thanksgiving Break. Please remember the steps for this research project must be turned in sequentially.

21. Author’s Name: Biographical Info. Birth (time and place) Parents/Upbringing Schooling Major Life Events Careers End of Life your notes MLA Citation

22. Author’s Name: Historical Info. Major Events Wars/Conflicts Politics Economics Social Issues your notes ~ a paragraph to explain the significance of each event MLA Citation

23. Author: Literary Criticism Writings in general My story in particular your notes – what others say MLA Citation

24. Now you are ready!Go forth and do powerful, thoughtful research!