thesis statements! - Warren Wilson College

THESIS STATEMENTS!
and how to make a good one
…What is a thesis
statement?
YOUR THESIS:
•
•
Happens at the beginning of the paper, ideally at the end
of your first paragraph, after a short introduction to the
topic
Serves as a roadmap for the rest of the paper, giving the
reader a (specific) idea of what the paper will be about
•
Addresses the prompt for the assignment (if there is one)
•
Contains your own argument about the topic
A STRONG THESIS SHOULD:
•
Make a claim/argument based on evidence
•
Be very specific!
•
•
•
Be significant and interesting for the writer and the
reader
(Perhaps) Explore some contradiction or problem
Contain ideas that are consistent (and consistently
backed up with evidence) throughout the paper
Weak Thesis Statement:
Frida Kahlo’s work The Two Fridas has a sense of duality.
Strong thesis statement:
The cramped composition and dramatic use of light
in Frida Kahlo’s work “The Two Fridas” help to
convey the painting’s overall sense of duality.
TWO NOTES:
•
•
Your argument doesn’t have to be dramatic or
revolutionary. Focus on being specific; focus on
proving your point through the use of source
material and close analysis.
Your thesis statement won’t always be one
sentence. Sometimes it will have multiple parts,
especially if your argument (or the prompt) is
particularly complex.
BASICALLY, YOUR THESIS:
Is
arguable
specific
interesting
Has
Strong subjects
Strong actions
More than one idea and a relationship
YOUR TURN!