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STEP #3
CREATE A THESIS STATEMENT
What will a THESIS STATEMENT do for your research paper?
A thesis statement declares what you believe and what you intend to prove. A good thesis statement makes the difference between
a thoughtful research project and a simple retelling of facts.
How do you know you’re ready to write a THESIS STATEMENT?
Are you informed enough to have a convincing opinion? If you have followed steps #1 and #2 you should be ready to focus
your reading and research and opinion into a successful thesis statement.
Simple equations for a successful thesis might look something like this:
Subject + Attitude = Thesis
↓ (or another way of looking at it)
Your poet, his or her poems, and the time he or she lived + Your opinion = Thesis
How do I focus my THESIS STATEMENT?
Focus your thesis in 3 quick steps:
1. Use specific terms instead of vague categories. (Narrow "writing" to "poetry.")
2. Use adjectives. (Narrow "poetry" to "African American poetry.")
3. Limit your thesis statement to a particular historical context.
(Narrow "African American poetry" to "the African American poetry of the Harlem Renaissance.")
Thesis Dos
Make sure your thesis does these 3 simple things:
1. Make sure you state your opinion
2. Make sure you make a point
3. Make sure you have set out to prove something
Thesis Don’ts
Be sure to avoid these 3 thesis no-no's:
1. Avoid starting your thesis sentence with "In my opinion I believe" and "This essay will argue that..." or any variation thereof.
2. Avoid just stating a fact. A thesis has to be worth arguing about.
3. Tackling two topics at once (even if they seem related). Pick one and stick with it.
INTERNET LINKS FOR THESIS STATEMENTS:
THESIS STATEMENTS:
WHAT IS A THESIS?
LEO (LITERACY EDUCATION ONLINE)
THESIS TIPS
DISCOVERING IDEAS (HANDBOOK)
A GOOD PAPER STARTS WITH A THESIS
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