1. What is a thesis statement:
Before you develop an argument on any topic, you have to collect and organize evidence, look for possible relationships between known facts (such as surprising contrasts or similarities), and think about the significance of these relationships. Once you do this thinking, you will probably have a “working thesis,” a basic or main idea.
Writers use all kinds of techniques to stimulate their thinking and to help them clarify relationships or comprehend the broader significance of a topic and arrive at a thesis statement. It's called brainstorming.
3. Is my thesis statement strong or weak?
Thesis statements that are too vague often do not have a strong argument.
4. Examples
A weak thesis statement
The North and South fought the Civil War for many reasons, some of which were the same and some different.
A strong thesis statement
While both sides fought the Civil War over the issue of slavery, the North fought for moral reasons while the South fought to preserve its own institutions.
A weak thesis statement
Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn is a great American novel.
A strong thesis statement
In Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain develops a contrast between life on the river and life on the shore.
Activity - write a thesis statement on the following topics
1. Pollution
2. Law enforcement
3. Education
4. Transportation
5. Holidays
6. Fishing
7. Sports
8. Armed Forces
9. Food
10. Celebrations
Source: University of North Carolina
- tells the reader how you will interpret the subject matter under discussion.
- it tells the reader what to expect from the rest of the paper.
- a thesis is an interpretation of a question or subject, not the subject itself. The subject, or topic, of an essay might be World War II or Moby Dick; a thesis must then offer a way to understand the subject.
- makes a claim even though others might dispute it.
- is usually a single sentence somewhere in your first paragraph (usually the last sentence of the introduction) that presents your argument to the reader. The rest of the paper, the body of the essay, gathers and organizes evidence that will persuade the reader of the logic of your interpretation.
Before you develop an argument on any topic, you have to collect and organize evidence, look for possible relationships between known facts (such as surprising contrasts or similarities), and think about the significance of these relationships. Once you do this thinking, you will probably have a “working thesis,” a basic or main idea.
Writers use all kinds of techniques to stimulate their thinking and to help them clarify relationships or comprehend the broader significance of a topic and arrive at a thesis statement. It's called brainstorming.
3. Is my thesis statement strong or weak?
Thesis statements that are too vague often do not have a strong argument.
4. Examples
A weak thesis statement
The North and South fought the Civil War for many reasons, some of which were the same and some different.
A strong thesis statement
While both sides fought the Civil War over the issue of slavery, the North fought for moral reasons while the South fought to preserve its own institutions.
A weak thesis statement
Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn is a great American novel.
A strong thesis statement
In Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain develops a contrast between life on the river and life on the shore.
Activity - write a thesis statement on the following topics
1. Pollution
2. Law enforcement
3. Education
4. Transportation
5. Holidays
6. Fishing
7. Sports
8. Armed Forces
9. Food
10. Celebrations
Source: University of North Carolina
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