Thesis StatementThesis Statement

A good one:A good one:

Your text says a good thesis Your text says a good thesis statement is “One that makes the statement is “One that makes the boldest and most unexpected claim boldest and most unexpected claim that can be persuasively developed.that can be persuasively developed.

Example: In John Edgar Wideman’s Example: In John Edgar Wideman’s “RockRiver,” the contrast between “RockRiver,” the contrast between Rick and Sarah is partially expressed Rick and Sarah is partially expressed in the settings associated with each.”in the settings associated with each.”

Thesis and OrganizationThesis and Organization

Your thesis statement should provide Your thesis statement should provide a key to your essay’s organization.a key to your essay’s organization.

The statement “The contrast The statement “The contrast between Rick and Sarah is partially between Rick and Sarah is partially expressed in the settings associated expressed in the settings associated with each,” for example, alerts me to with each,” for example, alerts me to the fact that this essay will the fact that this essay will comparecompare the different settings. the different settings.

Some other good Some other good examples:examples:

Her experiences “on the shelf” in Her experiences “on the shelf” in patriarchal India, prepare the patriarchal India, prepare the protagonist of Talat Abbasi’s “Sari protagonist of Talat Abbasi’s “Sari Petticoat” to be a detached observer, Petticoat” to be a detached observer, rather than an engaged participant in rather than an engaged participant in life.life.

Analysis of her stance toward her Analysis of her stance toward her husband and her new life is what I can husband and her new life is what I can expect in this essayexpect in this essay

Good Examples:Good Examples:

Though Alberto Alvaro Rio’s story Though Alberto Alvaro Rio’s story “Johnny Ray” seems to privilege the “Johnny Ray” seems to privilege the issue of race, it can also be read as a issue of race, it can also be read as a critique of Chicano machismo. critique of Chicano machismo.

This thesis implies that it will do a close This thesis implies that it will do a close reading of the story looking for reading of the story looking for evidence of a critical stance toward evidence of a critical stance toward traditional gender roles.traditional gender roles.

Look at each person’s Look at each person’s Thesis Statement.Thesis Statement.

Does it suggest an organizational Does it suggest an organizational pattern: compare, contrast, pattern: compare, contrast, define, describe, discuss, explain, define, describe, discuss, explain, justify, relate, trace, analyze. justify, relate, trace, analyze.

Does the statement indicate what Does the statement indicate what idea or approach will focus their idea or approach will focus their essay? (rebellion, feminism, essay? (rebellion, feminism, language, multiculturalism, language, multiculturalism, assimilation, etc.)assimilation, etc.)

Rewrite and OutlineRewrite and Outline Rewrite the statement so that it does Rewrite the statement so that it does

both -- suggest an organizational both -- suggest an organizational structure and indicate controlling idea.structure and indicate controlling idea.

Outline which events from Alvarez’s Outline which events from Alvarez’s life, the story, and the supplemental life, the story, and the supplemental materials will be useful for the essay.materials will be useful for the essay.

Submit a copy of the thesis and the Submit a copy of the thesis and the outline before you leave. (Make sure outline before you leave. (Make sure the author has a copy, too.)the author has a copy, too.)