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How to write
a good thesis
Task 1
What is a thesis?
Task 2
Definition
A thesis statement is your argument in miniature.
It will:
- identify the topic being discussed
- make an arguable claim
- direct the structure of your essay
Task 3
Your thesis statement has to argue something!!!
You cannot simply restate a prompt.
Task 4
Where does a Thesis Statement go?
- Your thesis should be stated somewhere in the opening paragraphs of your essay, most often as the last sentence of the introduction.
- Often, a thesis will be one sentence, but for complex subjects, you may be better to break the thesis statement into two sentences.
Task 5
For your research paper, you will be writing an argumentative essay and will thus need an argumentative thesis.
Task 6
Argumentative Thesis Statement:
Making a Claim
An argumentative thesis states the topic of your paper, your position on the topic, and the reasons you have for taking that position.
Sample argumentative thesis:
Task 7
Recognizing a good thesis
Here are some tests a good thesis will pass:
- Does it answer the question/prompt?
- Does it take a position others can argue against?
- Is the thesis specific?
Prompt:
How did ideas of American Independence change from 1763 to 1783?
Thesis 1:
From 1763 to 1783 ideas about American independence changed.
Is this a good thesis?
Thesis check:
From 1763 to 1783 ideas about American independence changed.
- Does it answer the question/prompt?
- Does it take a position others can argue against?
- Is the thesis specific?
Thesis 2
From 1763 to 1783 colonial ideas about the American independence changed from just questioning British policies to calling for revolution.
Is this a good thesis?
Thesis check:
From 1763 to 1783 colonial ideas about the American independence changed from just questioning British policies to calling for revolution.
- Does it answer the question/prompt?
- Does it take a position others can argue against?
- Is the thesis specific?
Thesis 3
From 1763 to 1783 colonial ideas about the American independence did not change much because throughout the period, many colonists to oppose the Patriot cause.
Is this a good thesis?
Thesis check:
From 1763 to 1783 colonial ideas about the American independence did not change much because throughout the period, many colonists continued to oppose the Patriot cause.
- Does it answer the question/prompt?
- Does it take a position others can argue against?
- Is the thesis specific?
Task 8
Some Formulas
O because A, B, and C.
A-C: your reasons/claims/evidence
O: your opinion (aka your argument)
By examining A, B, and C, it is clear that O.
A-C: your reasons/claims/evidence
O: your opinion (aka your argument)
Although X, A & B; therefore O.
X: Counter argument
A-B: your reasons/claims/evidence
O: your opinion (aka your argument)
Task 9
Remember...
- Your essay MUST support your thesis without wandering off topic!
- Your textual evidence MUST be relevant to your thesis.
- Your stance may change as you write, so you may need to revise your thesis statement to reflect exactly what you have discussed in the paper.