Crafting Thesis Statements

Thesis Satement

The sentence that states the main point you are making for the entire essay. All points made in essay are meant to support this statement (sometimes posed as a question).

• subject (a noun or noun phrase that acts) + verb (how we act upon subject) + object (the idea, a noun or noun phrase, that receives the action)

• Use specific language over abstract/too general words, whenever possible.

• Avoid all-incusive language (everyone, no one, is, all, ...)

• Avoid using standalone pronouns (It, this, these, ...) as subject

• Use an analysis verb to indicate to your reader how dynamic you are looking at your subject (in Essay 1, the fable's message and how it applies to your life). 

• The more action on the subject, the more you transform our view of it. The more you can pose questions about subject with that verb.

• Example: The myth is...  versus The myth illustrates...

• Be specific about what your body paragraphs discuss. Do not tease the reader with an unclear object!!! 

• One of the most ineffective thesis statements is the type that only suggests ideas but does not actually identify what ideas will be developed in the body paragraphs.

Let's Critique These Models

• Thesis teaser:  The fable teaches people many different things.  

• What don't we know with this thesis?
• How would you describe the clarity? 

• Clearer thesis: The 'tortoise and the hare' fable teaches that being fast at finishing tasks does not always help people win.

• What here is clearer?
• What here is still a bit unclear?

• (Revision tip: If you have clarity issues with the object, go to your body paragraphs to look for how you may have better defined your ideas in subtopics. Rephrase subtopic ideas developed in body paragraphs into thesis object.)

• Clearest of the three: The 'tortoise and the hare' fable teaches students mental and physical endurance, which can help at school and with homework. 

• What makes this sentence the most effective? 
• What do we expect the body paragraph to develop?