Chapter
II.
The
Thesis Statement
A.
What
is a Thesis? What does a ‘Working Thesis’ Do?
1. “The
thesis statement declares the main point or controlling idea of your entire
essay” (Wyrick
32).[1]
2. a concise solution to the issue being addressed.
3. “Frequently
located near the beginning of a short essay, the thesis answers these
questions: ‘What is the subject of this essay?’ ‘What is the writer’s opinion
on this subject?” What is the writer’s purpose in this essay? (to explain
something? To argue a position? To move people to action? To entertain?” (32).
4. “A
working thesis statement can be your most valuable organizational tool. Once
you have thought about your essay’s main point and purpose, you can begin to
draft your paper to accomplish your goals.
Everything in your essay should support your thesis” (32).
B.
Can
a ‘Working Thesis’ Change?
“Changing directions
is not uncommon: Writing is an act of
discovery” (32).
C.
Guidelines
for Writing a Good Thesis:
1. “A
good thesis states the writer’s clearly defined opinion on some subject” (33).
a. Many
people have different opinions on whether people under twenty-one should be
permitted to drink alcohol, and I agree with some of them. [The writer’s opinion on the issue is not clear to the reader.]
b. To reduce the number of highway fatalities, our
country needs to enforce the national law that designates twenty-one as the
legal minimum age to purchase and consume alcohol.
2. “A
good thesis asserts one main idea” (34).
a. The
proposed no-smoking ordinance in our town will violate a number of our citizens’
civil rights, and no one has proved secondary smoke is dangerous anyway. [This thesis contains two main assertions—the ordinance’s violation of
rights and secondary smoke’s lack of danger—that require two different kinds of
supporting evidence.]
b. The
proposed no-smoking ordinance in our town will violate our civil rights.
3. “A
good thesis has something worthwhile to say” (34).
a. “Friendship
is a wonderful thing. [Again, watch out for tired truisms that restate
the obvious.]”
b. “Food in my dorm is horrible” [ancient]
c. “Large lecture classes provide a poor environment
for the student who learns best through interaction with both teachers and
peers. [This thesis will allow the writer to present personal examples that the
reader may identify with or challenge . . . ] ”
4. “A
good thesis is limited to fit the assignment” (35). Narrow your subject matter.
a. “Africa-American
artists have always contributed a lot to many kinds of American culture.”
b. “Scott
Joplin was major influence in the development of the uniquely American music
called ragtime”
5. “A
good thesis is clearly stated in specific terms” (36).
a. “The
Women’s movement is good for our country. [What
group does the writer refer to? How is it good? For whom?]”
b. “The
Colorado Women’s Party is working to ensure the benefits of equal pay for equal
work for both males and females in our state.”
6. “A
good thesis is easily recognized as the main idea and is often located in the
first or second paragraph” (36).
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