Thesis Statements 101

How to write a strong thesis statement and make your essay rock!

3 PartsA GOOD thesis sentence has three main parts:

1) the limited subject (what your paper is about),

2) the precise opinion (what you're trying to say about that subject), and  

3) the essay map (a brief outline of how you're going to support your claim – should explain “HOW” or “WHY” your idea/opinion is right or strong; Rationale)

 

Basic Example

1)Subject: Restoring old houses

2)Opinion: Restoring old houses is rewarding.

3)Essay map: It is exciting, relaxing, and satisfying.

Use “BECAUSE” to put it all together into a Basic Thesis Statement:

Restoring old houses is rewarding BECAUSE it is exciting, relaxing, and satisfying.

Use qualifiers like ALTHOUGH, WHEN, IF and revise vocabulary into a Strong Thesis Statement”:

When antique houses are restored, home-owners not only reap the benefits of a new home but also the excitement, relaxation, and satisfaction of the process.

Dr. Thesis: Diagnosis & Prescription – Write the problem (what is missing) and give a prescription (what it needs).

1) Chefs are better than cooks.

 

2) Steroid abuse

 

3) Hip hop is the best thing that has happened to music in twenty years.

 

4) I enjoy white water rafting.

Chefs are better than cooks.

Chefs are better than cooks because chefs have more education, are more professional, and are creative with the food they create.

ALTHOUGH both chefs and cooks can prepare fine meals, chefs differ from cooks in education, professional commitment, and artistry.

Steroid abuse

Steroids should be banned from sports.

Steroids should be banned from sports BECAUSE athletes tend to abuse them.

Steroids, even those legally available, are addictive and should be banned from sports.

Hip hop is the best thing that has happened to music in twenty years.

Hip hop is the best thing that has happened to music in twenty years BECAUSE it gives kids a way of expressing themselves and is an example of poetry found in the streets.

Though many people dismiss hip hop as offensive, hip hop music offers urban youth an important opportunity for artistic expression, and allows them to articulate the poetry of the street.

I enjoy white water rafting.

I enjoy white water rafting BECAUSE it is challenging and transforming.

A first water rafting experience can challenge the body and spirit and transform an adolescent into an adult.

Although white water rafting can be dangerous, a first water rafting experience can actually challenge the body and spirit and transform an adolescent into an adult.

Martin Luther King Jr was a great leader (this is what you're trying to prove in the essay) because he motivated others to take action (point 1), lead by example (point 2) and used non-violence as a method for change (point 3).

Or

The internet was the most important invention of the 20th century because it made information easily accessible, connected the world in a new way and increased the efficiency of information sharing.

Or (This one is an introductory paragraph. The thesis statement is in red at the end)

In the novel The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian, Junior is affected both positively and negatively by his interactions with the many people he encounters in his day to day life. Although Rowdy beats up Junior, he is a true friend because, he keeps Juniors secrets, protects Junior by standing up to his bullies, and he encourages Junior to reach beyond his limitations by climbing the tree.

Try your own….Cellphones in class

Legalization of marijuana

Salaries of professional atheletes

Animal use in medical research

Relationship between violent video games and real life violence

Do teens spend too much time “plugged in?” (online, cellphones, video games)

Paragraph One (Introductory Paragraph)

Sentence One: General statement (sometimes called a ‘theme statement’; hints at the thesis; does not say characters’ names or specifics)

Sentence Two: Author, title (i.e., Twelfth Night), continue general statement

Sentences Three, Four, Five: Harnessing statements (2-4 sentences which allude to the arguments, moving toward the thesis)

Sentence Six (maybe Seven) Thesis statement (1-2 sentences, including three specific arguments in the correct order)

1Hollywood has made it very easy to confuse love and lust, or even love and romance. 2In William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, we see that our two protagonists fall prey to an equally idealized vision this powerful emotion. 3In the beginning of the play, Romeo speaks of his “love” for Rosaline, only to abandon her the moment he lays eyes on fair Juliet. 4Juliet, who has hardly thought about love and marriage, agrees to marry Romeo after only knowing him for a few hours. 5Lord Capulet, who professes to “love” his daughter, threatens to disown her if she doesn’t agree to marry the man of his choice. 6Are any of these really examples of love? 7Although many of the characters in Romeo and Juliet speak about what they believe to be love; there is no true love in this play. 8Instead, the examples of love are insincere, immature, or based on physical attraction rather than the deeper feelings associated with true love.

Paragraph Two (Developing Paragraph #1: Eight Sentences)

Topic sentence (argument number one)

Example #1 (give a specific incident from the literary work that makes the argument clear)

Explanation #1 (explain how the example relates to the argument)

Example #2

Explanation #2

Example #3 (note: at least one of these three examples should include a quotation from the literary work as well)

Explanation

Concluding Sentence (ties the paragraph together; refers back to argument #1)

The feelings which Romeo describes as his love for Rosaline, at the start of the play, are clearly insincere. Romeo is fickle about this love, and when he meets Juliet, he immediately forgets all these feelings for Rosaline. If he really loved Rosaline, he would have at least been somewhat conflicted when his feelings quickly shifted to Juliet. Secondly, Romeo and Juliet meet, and within only a few hours they have agreed to spend all eternity together. “If that thy bent of love be honourable, thy purpose marriage, send me word tomorrow…” (2.2143-144). When Romeo requests that Friar Lawrence help them by secretly marrying the couple, the Friar makes it clear that he does not believe Romeo’s feelings to be sincere “Is Rosaline, that thou didst love so dear, so soon forsaken? Young men’s love then lies Not truly in their hearts, but in their eyes.” (2.3.66-68). The only reason he agrees to marry them, is because he thinks that their union will end their families’ long standing feud. Lastly, we have Paris’s desire to marry Juliet. His feelings for Juliet could not possibly be genuine, as he agrees to rush into a marriage with her at a time when she is clearly emotionally unavailable. He does not even consider whether or not Juliet is in favour of their union. The lack of sincerity demonstrated by all of these characters, clearly exhibits a lack of understanding of what it really means to be in a relationship based on mature love.

 

Additional Body Paragraphs

Paragraph Three (Developing Paragraph #2)

Like Paragraph 1, only for argument number two. Be sure to use “linking” or “transitional” phrases between paragraphs.

 

Paragraph Four (Developing Paragraph #3)

Like above, only for argument number three (the strongest argument).

Conclusion