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How to Write an Essay | Step 2_ Get a Thesis | 60second Recap®.mp4How to Write an Essay Step 2: The Thesis Statement
Warning
Warning
This may be the hardest part of writing any essay or research paper!
It takes:
time
thought
persistence
critical thinking
What is a thesis statement?
What is a thesis statement?
A thesis statement is a sentence that states what your paper is about.
It consists of:
a specific topic
a point or opinion about your topic
Remember: A good thesis statement is not a statement of fact, it is an opinion that can be argued.
What is a thesis statement about?
What is a thesis statement about?
It depends on the type of paper you are writing. Remember that all essays and research papers have a thesis statement.
Literary Analyses
Literary Analyses
A literary analysis analyze some aspect of literature, such as
Character
Theme (Author's Message)
Author Style
Other Essays
Other Essays
For other types of essays or research papers, it depends on the assignment.
Your teacher may give you an essay question and your key answer to that question is the thesis statement. (The rest of the paper is proving your point.)
For a research report, the thesis is your key finding or opinion from your research. (The rest of your paper is proving your point.)
How do I write a thesis statement?
How do I write a thesis statement?
What is the topic of your paper?
What is the opinion or point you want to make about that topic?
Put these together into a good, clear sentence and you have your thesis.
For sample theme analysis thesis statements, click here.
For sample character analysis thesis statements, click here.
What are some things I might think about when working on my thesis statement?
What are some things I might think about when working on my thesis statement?
Characters
What role does this character play in the story? How does that impact the story?
What motivates this character?
What is the character like and how does it impact the story?
How does a character change from the beginning to the end?
What factors influence the actions of a character? (setting, conflicts, relationships, etc.)
How do supporting characters shape the story?
Theme
What concepts - such as courage, betrayal, or trust - does the writer explore?
What social issues, such as racism, loneliness, or tradition, shape the story?
What lesson does the main character or the reader learn?
Style/Plot
How does the author use imagery to create the overall mood of the piece?
How do dialogue and description shape the writing?
WHat key figures of speech does the author use? How doe these add to the writing?
How does the author use external or internal conflict throughout the story?
How does the author create a sense of growing suspense?
How do plot twists shape the story?
What effect does the setting have on the characters?
adapted from:
Sebranek, Patrick, Verne Meyer, and Dave Kemper. Writers INC: A Student Handbook for Writing & Learning. Wilmington, MA: Write Source, 2006. Print.
Additional Resources on Thesis Statements
Additional Resources on Thesis Statements
How To Write A Killer Thesis Statement by Shmoop.mp4How to Write a Killer Thesis Statement
Note: This is about how to write a thesis statement for any essay, not just a literary analysis.
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