Thesis Statements

 

A thesis statement's purpose is to tell the reader what the essay is about.  It States what you will prove.  Everything that follows should support the thesis statement.

 

A Solid Thesis Statement should include:

 

·        A Topic

·        An Attitude

·        An Argument

 

Example:

 

Throughout the novel, we see that Tom is in fact the mockingbird, who, despite his sweet song and benevolent nature, is the victim of a small town and the racism within it. 

 

Thesis Writing

 

Your introduction should resemble the shape of a funnel (not literally), narrowing in scope the broad to the specific.  It will end in a clearly defined and well-articulated argument that illustrates the point and purpose of your paper.  This statement is called a THESIS. 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Broad Support                                                   Broad Support                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Narrow Thesis