How to Write a ThesisHow to Write a Thesis

What is a thesis?What is a thesis?

• A thesis statement declares what you A thesis statement declares what you believe and what you intend to prove. A believe and what you intend to prove. A good thesis statement makes the difference good thesis statement makes the difference between a thoughtful research project and a between a thoughtful research project and a simple retelling of facts.simple retelling of facts.

• The thesis statement is typically located at The thesis statement is typically located at the end of your opening paragraph. (The the end of your opening paragraph. (The opening paragraph serves to set the context opening paragraph serves to set the context for the thesis.) for the thesis.)

• Remember, your reader will be looking for Remember, your reader will be looking for your thesis. Make it clear, strong, and easy your thesis. Make it clear, strong, and easy to find.to find.

Attributes of a Good ThesisAttributes of a Good Thesis• It should be contestable, proposing an It should be contestable, proposing an

arguable point with which people could arguable point with which people could reasonably disagree. A strong thesis is reasonably disagree. A strong thesis is provocative; it takes a stand and justifies provocative; it takes a stand and justifies the discussion you will present. the discussion you will present.

• It is specific and focused. A strong thesis It is specific and focused. A strong thesis proves a point without discussing proves a point without discussing “everything about …” Instead of music, “everything about …” Instead of music, think "American jazz in the 1930s" and your think "American jazz in the 1930s" and your argument about it. argument about it.

• It clearly asserts your own conclusion based It clearly asserts your own conclusion based on evidence. Note: Be flexible. The on evidence. Note: Be flexible. The evidence may lead you to a conclusion you evidence may lead you to a conclusion you didn't think you'd reach. didn't think you'd reach. It is perfectly It is perfectly okay to change your thesis!okay to change your thesis!

Attributes of a Good Thesis Attributes of a Good Thesis (con’t)(con’t)• It provides the reader with a map to guide It provides the reader with a map to guide

him/her through your work. him/her through your work. • It anticipates and refutes the counter-It anticipates and refutes the counter-

arguments arguments • It It avoidsavoids vague language (like "it seems"). vague language (like "it seems"). • It It avoidsavoids the first person. ("I believe," "In my the first person. ("I believe," "In my

opinion") opinion") • It should pass the It should pass the So what? or Who cares? testSo what? or Who cares? test

(Would your most honest friend ask why he (Would your most honest friend ask why he should care or respond with "but everyone should care or respond with "but everyone knows that"?) For instance, "people should knows that"?) For instance, "people should avoid driving under the influence of alcohol," avoid driving under the influence of alcohol," would be unlikely to evoke any opposition. would be unlikely to evoke any opposition.

An equationAn equation

Specific topicSpecific topic + +

Attitude/Angle/ArgumentAttitude/Angle/Argument

= = ThesisThesis

What you plan to argue + What you plan to argue +

How you plan to argue it How you plan to argue it

= Thesis= Thesis

Thesis or Not?Thesis or Not?

• I would like to become a chef when I finish I would like to become a chef when I finish school.school.

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

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

• I enjoy white water rafting.I enjoy white water rafting.

Thesis or Not?Thesis or Not?

• Steroid abuseSteroid abuse

• Men are chauvinists.Men are chauvinists.

• Our American family structure encourages Our American family structure encourages men to repress their true feelings, leaving men to repress their true feelings, leaving them open to physical, psychological, and them open to physical, psychological, and relationship difficulties.relationship difficulties.

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

Thesis or Not?Thesis or Not?

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

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

• Many people object to today's violent horror Many people object to today's violent horror movies.movies.

• Despite their high-tech special effects, today's Despite their high-tech special effects, today's graphically violent horror movies do not convey graphically violent horror movies do not convey the creative use of cinematography or the the creative use of cinematography or the emotional impact that we saw in the classic emotional impact that we saw in the classic horror films of the 1940s and 50s.horror films of the 1940s and 50s.

Now Your TurnNow Your Turn

• A few ideas…A few ideas…– high school sportshigh school sports– school uniformsschool uniforms– high stakes testing (PSSAs) high stakes testing (PSSAs) – steroid abusesteroid abuse– divorcedivorce– school dancesschool dances– music censorship music censorship