They can take our land. They can take our LIVES! But they CANNOT take…. OUR THESIS STATEMENTS!!

They can take our land.They can take our LIVES!But they CANNOT take….

OUR THESIS STATEMENTS!!

The Thesis The Thesis StatementStatement

Defined: a thesis statement is a Defined: a thesis statement is a one (rarely two) sentence one (rarely two) sentence

“announcement” of your topic and “announcement” of your topic and what you want to say about itwhat you want to say about it

WHAT doesA thesis statement

say?!

What do you THINK!?It answers the question,

“What I am going to show youin this paper!”

But don’t you dare use thoseexact words, or (teacher’s name here)’s

head will blow up. Hey, that soundspretty cool. Let’s try it.

Steps in a Research PaperSteps in a Research Paper

1.1. Select a topicSelect a topic2.2. Conduct your researchConduct your research3.3. Construct a thesis statementConstruct a thesis statement4.4. Gather source card infoGather source card info5.5. Compose list of Works Compose list of Works

ConsultedConsulted

Steps in a Research PaperSteps in a Research Paper

6.6. Take notes, prepare note Take notes, prepare note cardscards

7.7. Outline your paperOutline your paper8.8. Write rough draftWrite rough draft

a)a) Edit & revise for content (spelling, etc.)Edit & revise for content (spelling, etc.)b)b) Edit & revise for formatEdit & revise for formatc)c) At least 2-3 others read paperAt least 2-3 others read paper

9.9. Prep, format final paperPrep, format final paper

The Essay StructureThe Essay Structure

Intro & ThesisIntro & Thesis

BodyBody

ConclusionConclusion

““What I am going What I am going to show you.”to show you.”

SHOW me!SHOW me!

““What I just What I just showed you.”showed you.”

Part of Essay It’s Function or Job

•Thesis is usually the last sentence of the introduction

Your thesis Your thesis statement is statement is

the the foundation foundation

of your of your essayessay

What it will be What it will be built uponbuilt upon

Thesis Statement

Every paragraph in the essay

Every sentence in the essay

SUPPORTS the THESIS and is

BUILT on it

If not, the thesis, and the paper, (building) falls

Your Job With Thesis?Your Job With Thesis?

Decide what your final product should look like

House = Your Essay / Your MESSAGE

Thesis = Foundation of the House

Some thesis statements simply Some thesis statements simply state the topicstate the topic

(This is what you did in elementary school)(This is what you did in elementary school)

“Vinnie Ream was “Vinnie Ream was commissioned by Congress in commissioned by Congress in

1866 to sculpt a memorial 1866 to sculpt a memorial statue of Abraham Lincoln.”statue of Abraham Lincoln.”

This is the big leagues!YOUR thesis statement must do MORE!

Oh wow, I crushed that one.

The thesis statement must provide not just the

topic of the paper, but what you are going to SHOW THE READER

about that topic.

““Congress’ 1866 decision to Congress’ 1866 decision to award 18-year-old Vinnie award 18-year-old Vinnie

Ream the commission for a Ream the commission for a marble statue memorializing marble statue memorializing Abraham LincolnAbraham Lincoln propelled propelled

the young artist to a the young artist to a successful career as one of successful career as one of

America’s most America’s most accomplished sculptors.”accomplished sculptors.”

This thesis

statement gives us the topic AND the

main idea of this essay

“What I am going to show

you!”

Good Thesis StatementGood Thesis StatementFive AttributesFive Attributes

1.1. Tackles a subject Tackles a subject on which reasonable people on which reasonable people could disagreecould disagree

2.2. Deals with a subject that Deals with a subject that can be researchedcan be researched

3.3. Expresses Expresses one one mainmain “umbrella” idea “umbrella” idea

4.4. AssertsAsserts the author’s conclusions about the the author’s conclusions about the subject…it is subject…it is declarative declarative andand takes a stand takes a stand

5.5. Is Is clearclear and and specificspecific

Five Attributes - Five Attributes - #1#1

Tackles a subject Tackles a subject on which reasonable on which reasonable people could disagreepeople could disagree

““Congress’ 1866 decision to award 18-year-old Vinnie Ream the Congress’ 1866 decision to award 18-year-old Vinnie Ream the commission for a marble statue memorializing Abraham Lincolncommission for a marble statue memorializing Abraham Lincoln propelled the young artist to a successful career as one of propelled the young artist to a successful career as one of America’s most accomplished sculptors.”America’s most accomplished sculptors.”

Reasonable people COULD disagree about this thesis.Reasonable people COULD disagree about this thesis. Art historians could Art historians could easilyeasily disagree about the role of this statue in disagree about the role of this statue in

the career of Vinnie Ream.the career of Vinnie Ream.

Five Attributes - #2Five Attributes - #2

Deals with a subject that Deals with a subject that can be researchedcan be researched


This thesis can definitely be researchedThis thesis can definitely be researched Good librarians in libraries can definitely help researchers find art Good librarians in libraries can definitely help researchers find art

history sources covering Vinnie Ream and his careerhistory sources covering Vinnie Ream and his career Maybe not a good high school topic, but college level research Maybe not a good high school topic, but college level research

could be done on this thesiscould be done on this thesis


Deals with Deals with one main umbrella ideaone main umbrella idea


On first glance, a LOT going on in this thesis…but…On first glance, a LOT going on in this thesis…but… The central idea of this thesis is Ream’s sculpture of Lincoln and The central idea of this thesis is Ream’s sculpture of Lincoln and

its impact on his careerits impact on his career


Asserts the author’s conclusionsAsserts the author’s conclusions about the about the topic; it is topic; it is declarativedeclarative and and takes a standtakes a stand


This writer’s stand is clear…Ream’s Lincoln statue made him one This writer’s stand is clear…Ream’s Lincoln statue made him one of America’s most accomplished sculptorsof America’s most accomplished sculptors

This writer has This writer has taken a standtaken a stand, said “This is true”, said “This is true”


IsIs clear clear andand specific specific


This thesis is long, but definitely clear and easy to understandThis thesis is long, but definitely clear and easy to understand It is specific…”which decision by Congress?”…”which It is specific…”which decision by Congress?”…”which

statue?”….”what statue?”….”what specificallyspecifically was the impact of that statue?” was the impact of that statue?”

Strong or Weak ThesisStrong or Weak ThesisHow to Tell?How to Tell?

Reasonable People Could DisagreeReasonable People Could Disagree

WOULD WE DISAGREE?WOULD WE DISAGREE? - “Abortion is a - “Abortion is a controversial topic.”controversial topic.”

OH YEAH!OH YEAH! - “While America remains divided - “While America remains divided on the controversial topic of abortion, the on the controversial topic of abortion, the extreme emotions exhibited by proponents on extreme emotions exhibited by proponents on the pro-life side of the issue hamper the pro-life side of the issue hamper constructive debate and prevent the country constructive debate and prevent the country from finding workable solutions.”from finding workable solutions.”

Is ResearchableIs Researchable

CANNOT RESEARCH -CANNOT RESEARCH - “The Los Angeles “The Los Angeles Lakers will win the NBA title this year.”Lakers will win the NBA title this year.”

CAN RESEARCHCAN RESEARCH - “The Los Angeles Lakers - “The Los Angeles Lakers have benefited from strategic use of free have benefited from strategic use of free agency and a willingness to spend money to agency and a willingness to spend money to sign top free agents, making them one of the sign top free agents, making them one of the elite organizations in the National Basketball elite organizations in the National Basketball Association.”Association.”

Expresses ONE Main IdeaExpresses ONE Main Idea

ONE IDEA?ONE IDEA? - “Companies need to exploit - “Companies need to exploit the marketing potential of the Internet, the marketing potential of the Internet, and web pages are great sources of and web pages are great sources of advertising and customer support.”advertising and customer support.”

Is this thesis about marketing on the Internet, Is this thesis about marketing on the Internet, about web pages, advertising or customer about web pages, advertising or customer support? Confusion……the support? Confusion……the enemyenemy of the of the thesis.thesis.

Expresses ONE Main IdeaExpresses ONE Main Idea

ONE IDEAONE IDEA - “Companies should exploit - “Companies should exploit the marketing potential of the Internet by the marketing potential of the Internet by using web pages that offer both using web pages that offer both advertising and customer support.”advertising and customer support.”

This thesis is about ONE idea (marketing power of This thesis is about ONE idea (marketing power of the Internet for companies), and it shows HOW the Internet for companies), and it shows HOW two aspects of that one idea (advertising and two aspects of that one idea (advertising and customer support) are relatedcustomer support) are related

Takes a StandTakes a Stand

NO STAND -NO STAND - “There are some “There are some positivepositive and and negativenegative aspects to the Banana Herb aspects to the Banana Herb Tea Supplement.”Tea Supplement.”

STRONG STANDSTRONG STAND - “Because Banana - “Because Banana Herb Tea Supplement promotes rapid Herb Tea Supplement promotes rapid weight loss that results in a significant weight loss that results in a significant decrease of muscle and lean body mass, it decrease of muscle and lean body mass, it poses a potential danger to customers.”poses a potential danger to customers.”

Reminder…Reminder…

Avoid calling someone Avoid calling someone

or something or something “the “the greatest”greatest” in a in a

thesisthesis

You cannot take THAT You cannot take THAT stand…stand…

How do you How do you proveprove it? it?

Oh, really?!The greatest!?

PROVE IT!!

Is Specific and ClearIs Specific and Clear

SPECIFIC? - “Hunger in SPECIFIC? - “Hunger in America has many America has many causes and effects.”causes and effects.”

Can “hunger in America” be discussed Can “hunger in America” be discussed thoroughly in five or ten pages?thoroughly in five or ten pages?

““many causes and effects” is vaguemany causes and effects” is vague

Is Specific and ClearIs Specific and Clear

SPECIFIC - “Hunger persists in SPECIFIC - “Hunger persists in Appalachia because jobs are Appalachia because jobs are scarce and farming in the infertile scarce and farming in the infertile soil is rarely profitable.”soil is rarely profitable.”

Here the subject is Here the subject is narrowednarrowed to a more specific to a more specific and manageable topic, hunger in Appalachiaand manageable topic, hunger in Appalachia

It also identifies the It also identifies the specificspecific causes of the hunger causes of the hunger

Unclear and VagueUnclear and Vague“If you want to be a lifelong bicyclist, “If you want to be a lifelong bicyclist,

you need to take care of a lot of things.”you need to take care of a lot of things.”

Clear and SpecificClear and Specific“If you take precautions with clothing, “If you take precautions with clothing, equipment, and safety, you can enjoy equipment, and safety, you can enjoy

bicycling throughout your life.”bicycling throughout your life.”

How to Write a How to Write a Good Thesis Good Thesis

StatementStatement

One of the mysteries of One of the mysteries of essay writingessay writing

Aaaauuugggghhhhh!!The thesis statement!It’s coming! Save me!

As you think about what your thesis will As you think about what your thesis will be, it helps to start with a be, it helps to start with a questionquestion

Why was Beethoven so successful despite Why was Beethoven so successful despite being deaf?being deaf?

Why was Osama bin Laden so angry at the Why was Osama bin Laden so angry at the West and America?West and America?

Why is nuclear energy so good/bad for energy Why is nuclear energy so good/bad for energy development at this point in time?development at this point in time?

What did the Red Sox have to overcome as an What did the Red Sox have to overcome as an organization in 2004 to win the World Series?organization in 2004 to win the World Series?

Then Then answeranswer the question the question

Beethoven’s bold reaction to his Beethoven’s bold reaction to his deafness and his deep love of deafness and his deep love of music were the pivotal factors music were the pivotal factors in his development as a in his development as a successful and famous successful and famous composer.composer.

The answer to the question The answer to the question helps lead youhelps lead you to your to your thesisthesis

Now…You’re Ready for the StepsNow…You’re Ready for the Steps

Step OneStep One

State the topic in State the topic in one or two wordsone or two words

Spongebob Squarepants

Step TwoStep Two Narrow the topicNarrow the topic

Get specific using your research and readingsGet specific using your research and readings Focus on specific direction you want to take the essayFocus on specific direction you want to take the essay This is This is making a decisionmaking a decision

Spongebob and his

relationship to Squidward in the series

Step ThreeStep Three

Take a position on the topicTake a position on the topic

Spongebob and Squidward Spongebob and Squidward are are important to the show, important to the show, “Spongebob Squarepants”.“Spongebob Squarepants”.

Thesis is becoming specific, and it asserts the author’s position….but there are still vague terms in it…important HOW, WHY are they important?

Step FourStep Four

Add specific language to help make it detailed Add specific language to help make it detailed and clearand clear

The difficult relationship of Spongebob The difficult relationship of Spongebob and Squidward and Squidward is central to the show is central to the show “Spongebob Squarepants”“Spongebob Squarepants” because because their constant confrontations are the their constant confrontations are the focus for the cartoon’s unique, focus for the cartoon’s unique, slapstick humorslapstick humor..

Step FiveStep FiveMake sure you have Make sure you have made an assertionmade an assertion you you

can SHOW, PROVE through your researchcan SHOW, PROVE through your research Can you SHOW, PROVE, SUPPORT the underlined assertions with Can you SHOW, PROVE, SUPPORT the underlined assertions with

research?research?

The relationship of Spongebob and Squidward The relationship of Spongebob and Squidward is central to the showis central to the show “Spongebob “Spongebob Squarepants”Squarepants” because because their constant their constant confrontations are the focus for the confrontations are the focus for the cartoon’s unique, slapstick humorcartoon’s unique, slapstick humor..

Helpful Hint…Helpful Hint…

Start your thesis with a Start your thesis with a subordinate clause subordinate clause (which begin with subordinate (which begin with subordinate conjunctions….remember?)conjunctions….remember?)

““because”because”““since”since”

““so”so”““although”although”““unless”unless”

Another hint you inferior humans.Now come here so I can zap you

with my double jaws.

Helpful Hint #2Helpful Hint #2

NO QUESTIONS in thesis NO QUESTIONS in thesis statements!!statements!!

“The question of whether Stalin or Hitler was the more brutal dictator is an interesting one. Which one was it?”

Huh??

Helpful Hint #3Helpful Hint #3

You can CHANGE your thesis, You can CHANGE your thesis, so don’t panic!so don’t panic!

Write a preliminary thesis Write a preliminary thesis statement to get the first draft statement to get the first draft startedstarted

Think about it…change it if Think about it…change it if you want to, need toyou want to, need to

Thesis statements are Thesis statements are adaptable, under YOUR adaptable, under YOUR control!control!

#!#%%#@!#What a lousy thesis!

Start over…grrrrr

Preliminary and Revised ThesisPreliminary and Revised Thesis

Revised for Final Draft

“Although rain seldom comes to the Sonoran Desert, flash flooding

that occurs during heavy rains create

major changes in the lives of animals, plants, and the

landscape of the region.”

Preliminary

It seldom rains in the Sonoran Desert, but when it does, there are radical changes

that occur throughout the

desert that impact all life.”

One Final SampleOne Final Sample

Which is better?Which is better?

The Gettysburg The Gettysburg Address was a Address was a

great speech and great speech and made America made America

recognize Lincoln.recognize Lincoln.


The Gettysburg Address The Gettysburg Address was the best speech was the best speech ever given by Lincoln, ever given by Lincoln, and helped contribute to and helped contribute to his legacy as a great his legacy as a great statesman.statesman.


““Because it focused the North on Because it focused the North on the cause of winning the Civil War the cause of winning the Civil War at a vulnerable moment, the at a vulnerable moment, the Gettysburg Address was Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address was Lincoln’s defining moment and saved the defining moment and saved the country.country.

Documents

They can take our land. They can take our LIVES! But they CANNOT take…. OUR THESIS STATEMENTS!!