Question: How do I make a thesis statement for an LEQ?

Here is a helpful format that you can use: 

[Restate and establish time period] because A, B. [Your main points/categories of analysis]. However, [topic that refutes one/both of the original main points].

Question: How do I write in-text citations?

Assuming you are using MLA citation formatting, which you would use in a literary analysis response, include the author's last name and follow it up with the page number.  For example, if you are citing from page 17 of John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men, you'd end the quotation marks for the quote you are using, write (Steinbeck 17), and then -- if your sentence is done -- put your period.  

Note that you should not have a comma separating the author's last name from the page number and you should not write "page," "pg." or "p.".  

If you are writing a response to only one text, or if you mention the author's last name in the body of your writing, it is acceptable to simply put the page number, without the author's last name.