Thesis Statement Suggestions
A Thesis Statement:
* doesn’t have to appear in the opening paragraph of a paper, but often it’s best that it does … sometimes it’s best to let your reader know right away where you stand on an issue.
* doesn’t have to be contained in one single sentence, but often is.
* should avoid vagueness and generalities (stay away from wishy-washy sentences like “This image demonstrates a negative perspective about the environment to a certain extent” or “There are many different attitudes toward the environment expressed in this image, depending on your point of view”).
* should be specific and focused: don’t be too broad (i.e., stay away from pronouncements in which you suggest, for instance, that all people at all times will interpret the image in question in exactly the same way, as well as from any statement including such grandiose phrases as “since the beginning of time …” or “ever since the world began …”).
* should be original, insightful, worth making; it should not be a repetition of facts or a rehashing of conventional wisdom.
* should be contentious and argumentative — should be something with which someone sane could disagree (one question to ask yourself is whether or not there is a position diametrically opposed to yours—if there is, you know you’ve got a contentious and therefore worthy thesis statement. Also, ask yourself if a sane person could make an argument in opposition to yours. If not, it’s not a contentious thesis). Keep in mind, however, that a thesis statement should not be pure opinion.
* should provide a rationale (i.e., should answer the questions “why?” and “so what?”).
* should show an awareness of potential qualifications (i.e., exceptions to the argument being made) and should make them clear to the reader, too.
* can be discovered in the process of drafting (i.e., you don’t necessarily have to wait until you find your thesis before you start to write – you can always weave your thesis into your introduction after you’ve written enough to know what your thesis is).
For further information on thesis statements, consult the Writing 140 Coursebook and try out the Sheridan Baker Thesis "Machine".
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