What is a thesis What is a thesis statement?statement?

ByByMarcia JensenMarcia JensenFebruary 2006February 2006

With help from With help from Joyce ValenzaJoyce Valenza

A thesis statement is a A thesis statement is a very important very important sentence that gives sentence that gives your your

research a research a

focus.focus.

topic

questions

tentative thesis

thesis

Process for developing the thoughtful thesis

Why, a thesis?Why, a thesis?A thesis statement declares A thesis statement declares what you believe and what what you believe and what you intend to prove. you intend to prove.

A thesis statement provides A thesis statement provides the reader with a map to the reader with a map to guide him/her through your guide him/her through your work.work.

How will you find a thesis?How will you find a thesis?Appreciation:Appreciation:

ReadRead WatchWatch

ListenListen

And as you do…And as you do…

Look for…Look for…

Interesting contrasts or Interesting contrasts or comparisons or patterns comparisons or patterns emerging in the informationemerging in the information

Look for…Look for…

Something about the topic that Something about the topic that surprises yousurprises you

Look for…Look for…

Ideas that make you wonder Ideas that make you wonder why?why?

Look for…Look for…

Priorities you can weighPriorities you can weigh

Look for…Look for…

Something an Something an "expert" says "expert" says make you make you respond, "no respond, "no way! That can way! That can be right!" or be right!" or "Yes, absolutely. "Yes, absolutely. I agree!"I agree!"

Purdue Thought StartersPurdue Thought Starters

What does a thesis look What does a thesis look like?like?

3 Ts: Topic + ‘Tude’ = Thesis3 Ts: Topic + ‘Tude’ = Thesis

Specific topic + Attitude/Angle/Argument = Thesis

OR

What you plan to argue

+ How you plan to argue it

= Your thesis

Attributes of a good thesis:Attributes of a good thesis: Contestable--proposes an argument with Contestable--proposes an argument with

which people could reasonably disagreewhich people could reasonably disagree Provocative--takes a stand and justifies Provocative--takes a stand and justifies

the discussion you will present.the discussion you will present. Coverable--could be adequately covered Coverable--could be adequately covered

in the format of the project assigned.in the format of the project assigned. Specific and focused--proves a point Specific and focused--proves a point

without discussing “everything in the without discussing “everything in the world about …” world about …”

Provable-- asserts your own conclusion Provable-- asserts your own conclusion based on solid evidencebased on solid evidence..

I have a thesis. Where do I put I have a thesis. Where do I put it?it?

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

How do I know if I have a How do I know if I have a solid tentative thesis?solid tentative thesis?

Don’t rush your thesis!Don’t rush your thesis!A good tentative thesis will help you focus A good tentative thesis will help you focus your search for information. your search for information.

You must do a lot of background reading You must do a lot of background reading before you know enough about a subject to before you know enough about a subject to identify the key or essential questions. identify the key or essential questions.

You may not know how you stand on an issue You may not know how you stand on an issue until you have examined the evidence. until you have examined the evidence.

You will likely begin your research with a You will likely begin your research with a working, preliminary or tentative thesis which working, preliminary or tentative thesis which you will continue to refine until you are you will continue to refine until you are certain of where the evidence leads.certain of where the evidence leads.

Be flexible!Be flexible!The evidence may lead you to a The evidence may lead you to a

conclusion you didn't conclusion you didn't

think you'd reach.think you'd reach.

It is perfectly It is perfectly okay to okay to change your change your thesis!thesis!

1. Does the thesis  inspire a reasonable reader to ask, "How?" or Why?“

2. Would a reasonable reader NOT respond with "Duh!" or "So what?" or "Gee, no kidding!" or "Who cares?“

3. Does the thesis avoid general phrasing and/or sweeping words such as "all" or "none" or "every"?

4. Do the subtopics support the thesis?

5. Can the thesis be adequately developed in the required length of the paper or project?

Try these five tests on your own tentative thesis:

If you cannot answer "YES" to these questions, you must make some changes in order for your thesis to pass these tests!

Are these good thesis Are these good thesis statements? (Use the five tests statements? (Use the five tests

to decide.)to decide.) Terrorism should not Terrorism should not

happen.happen.

The use of television The use of television helped John Kennedy win helped John Kennedy win election in 1960.election in 1960.

The causes of the Civil War The causes of the Civil War were economic, social, and were economic, social, and political.political.

Are these good thesis Are these good thesis statements? (Use the five tests statements? (Use the five tests

to decide.)to decide.) The SimpsonsThe Simpsons represents represents

the greatest animated the greatest animated show in the history of show in the history of television.television.

Constant dieting is one of Constant dieting is one of the culprits in the so-the culprits in the so-called obesity epidemic.called obesity epidemic.

Thanks to…Thanks to…Purdue University Online Writing Lab. “Planning (Invention): Purdue University Online Writing Lab. “Planning (Invention):

Thought Starters (Asking the Right Questions)”. Thought Starters (Asking the Right Questions)”. The OWL at The OWL at PurduePurdue. Purdue University. 22 Feb. 2006 . Purdue University. 22 Feb. 2006 <http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/general/gl_plan3.html<http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/general/gl_plan3.html>.>.

University of Michigan School of Information. "A+ Research and University of Michigan School of Information. "A+ Research and Writing for High School and College Students." Writing for High School and College Students." Internet Public Internet Public Library TeenSpaceLibrary TeenSpace. 21 Jan. 2006. The Regents of the University . 21 Jan. 2006. The Regents of the University of Michigan. 17 Feb. of Michigan. 17 Feb. 2006 <http://ipl.si.umich.edu/div/teen/aplus/>.2006 <http://ipl.si.umich.edu/div/teen/aplus/>.

Valenza, Joyce. “Developing a Thesis” Valenza, Joyce. “Developing a Thesis” Online Virtual LibraryOnline Virtual Library. 1 Feb. . 1 Feb. 2006. Springfield Township Library. 22 Feb. 2006 2006. Springfield Township Library. 22 Feb. 2006 <<http://mciu.org/~spjvweb/thesis.htmlhttp://mciu.org/~spjvweb/thesis.html>>..

Valenza, Joyce. Valenza, Joyce. Thoughtful Research: Moving Beyond the TopicThoughtful Research: Moving Beyond the Topic..

Wiley Publishing. “Write a Thesis Statement.” Wiley Publishing. “Write a Thesis Statement.” Cliff’s NotesCliff’s Notes. 22 Feb. . 22 Feb. 20062006 <http://www.cliffsnotes.com/WileyCDA/Section/id-<http://www.cliffsnotes.com/WileyCDA/Section/id-106288.html>.106288.html>.