Making a Claim

From Topic to Thesis Statement

What is a Thesis Statement?

Main Claim

Primary Argument

Central Point

Moral of the Story

Logical Conclusion

Controlling Idea

Rhetorical Situation

Author

Audience Argument

Starting Point: Topic + Question

ToposAlmost any topic can be scholarly.

What matters is the kind of question you ask.

Your line of inquiry will then help to indicate the kind of paper you write.

Lines of Inquiry: Stasis

What It Is What It Does

Claim of Fact Define/Describe

Claim of Value Quality

Claim of Policy Action

Proposal

Analysis

Argument

From Point A to B

Mind Map

Map out what you know, first.

Zombie Apocalypse

You don’t know what you knowand what you don’t untilyou get it down on paper.

Connect the Dots

Whatever is missing, that is where questions arise.

Look for trends or overlap between ideas.

What you find interesting becomes your working thesis.

Clear, Concise, Specific

▪ Avoid vague words– interesting, negative, exciting, unusual, and difficult.

▪ Say something original– Do a little preliminary research

▪ Don’t break the fourth wall– “The point of my paper is…”

▪ Have a clear goal in mind– One point, rather than two or three

Strong Claims

▪ Are arguable– There is at least one opposing viewpoint

▪ Can be researched– Have provability, not opinion

▪ Contribute something new– The ongoing conversation

▪ Have been revised– No good writing, only rewriting

Key Words: Remember Toulmin?

ShouldMustNeeds to

ThereforeThusErgoSoThen

Because [GROUND], therefore [CLAIM], since [WARRANT].

SinceBecauseAlthoughWhile

Transition Claim SubordinatingConjunctions

Tips, Tricks, & Examples

Handout

Questions?