Thesis Statements in Academic Essays By Susanne Bentley

Thesis Statements in Academic Essays • By Susanne Bentley

The Role of the Essay • The ultimate goal of any writing is to communicate an idea. • The role of an essay is to make a point about a problem. • An essay reflects the writer’s insight on a topic.

The Structure of the Essay • The formal essay consists of three parts: – Introduction – Body – Conclusion

Introduction • The introduction establishes the nature of your study. • It identifies the topic and narrows it to one issue. • It provides relevant background. • It contains thesis statement (the central idea that will be developed in the rest of the paper).

The thesis statement • is a one-sentence telegram that conveys the central message of your essay • gives the reader an indication of how you will develop your topic • keeps you as a writer focused on one main idea

The thesis statement • gives your opinion or attitude about your topic • is limited and can be developed in the space called for

The thesis statement • Establishes the direction of a research study and points readers to the eventual conclusion. • Is centered on an arguable point. • Controls the entire argument

The thesis statement. . . • Determines what you are required to say in a paper. • It also determines what you cannot say. • Every paragraph in your paper exists in order to support your thesis. • The research you conduct will support your thesis and show different perspectives.

• Accordingly, if one of your paragraphs seems irrelevant to your thesis you have two choices: get rid of the paragraph, or rewrite your thesis. • Do not simply start discussing a new idea without preparing the reader for it in thesis.

The thesis takes a side on the topic • rather than simply announcing that the paper is about a topic (the title should have already told your reader your topic). • Don't tell readers about something; tell them what about something. Answer the questions "how? " or "why? ”

The thesis passes the “So What? ” test. • After a reader reads your research, ideas, and evaluations of your topic in support of your thesis, what will they come away with? • A good thesis statement should justify discussion - don't leave your readers saying to themselves "So what" or "duh? " or "like, what's your point? "

THESIS = TOPIC + YOUR SPECIFIC ASSERTION • An enthymeme uses a “because” clause to make a claim • It is a good way to write a thesis for an argument paper.

A thesis statement is precise • It lets your reader know exactly what your paper will be about.

Avoid words such as: • nice, good, interesting • very, really, many, and some • These kinds of words are vague and do not give readers a clear sense of your views. • Also, what is “good” or “interesting” to you may not be so for your reader.

Not precise: • “Cathedral, ” by Raymond Carver, is an interesting story.

More precise: • Through the first person point of view in “Cathedral, ” Raymond Carver makes a powerful statement about how we view the disabled in a negative way.

A thesis statement is not: • a question • (although asking questions is a great way to brainstorm for ideas)

A thesis statement is not: • a statement of fact:

example: • Education is very important. • Instead try: Because we need to attract the top candidates to educate our children, teachers’ salaries must be increased.

A thesis statement is not: • a statement of purpose:

example: • In this essay, I will discuss why Arnold Friend is a person who can’t be trusted. • Instead try: Arnold Friend’s behavior, speech and appearance provide clues that he is a person who cannot be trusted.

A thesis statement is written in the first or third-person point of view • For academic writing, do not use “you. ” • Also, do not use contractions.

For example • Instead of saying, “You should never cheat on tests or essays in college because it will have negative consequences. • Try: Students who cheat on tests and essays in college actually cheat themselves out of learning, and their actions often lead to expulsion from college.

A thesis statement • takes the topic from a general idea to the specific approach of the researcher • provides the points about the topic that the researcher will develop in the paper

Topic: The problems of living in a city • General statement: – There are many problems associated with living in today’s modern city. • Thesis statement: – Rising crime rates, increasingly overcrowded conditions, and high expenses make living in today’s

Topic: Depression • General statement: – Depression is caused by a several factors. • Thesis statement: • Recent studies of depression suggest that it is much more closely related to physiology than scientists had previously

Using what you have learned so far, determine whether the following is a strong or weak thesis statement: • What can be done to end violence in schools? • Weak • A thesis statement is not a question.

Determine whether the following is a strong or weak thesis statement: • In this paper I will discuss why we need to eliminate violence in schools. • Weak • A thesis statement is not a statement of purpose.

Determine whether the following is a strong or weak thesis • If you look carefully enough, you can find signs of poverty in Elko. • Weak • A thesis statement is written in the first or third-person point of view.

Determine whether the following is a strong or weak thesis statement: • Violence has become a problem in many schools. • Weak • A thesis statement is precise and does not use vague language.

Determine whether the following is a strong or weak thesis statement: • Getting parents more involved with their children’s lives is the best way to end school violence. • Strong • A thesis statement reflects your stand on the topic and tells your readers what you will be discussing.

Remember, a thesis statement: • Will take your paper from the general to the specific • Provides your reader with a roadmap of where you will take him or her • Makes an assertion about your topic • Can be developed in the required number of pages • Limits the topic to make it manageable