DEVELOPING A DYNAMIC THESIS

The thesis statement

Is a single assertive sentence in the essay.

Contains the writer’s position on the topic.

The main IDEA under which all sub points and supporting arguments huddle

Controls the limits of the essay Only discuss the topic as outlines

in the thesis

The test for a thesis: URPS U: Is the thesis unified ( 1 main idea

only) R: Is it restricted? (attempting too

much?) P: Is it precise? ( Clear specific words?) S: Is it significant? (fact or an

idea/opinion?)

Developing a Dynamic Analytical Thesis

In order to make your reader care about your thesis, you need to make it dynamic – the opposite of static. A static thesis is descriptive – it simply describes the topic.

It simply states a fact.

A dynamic thesis looks at topic and sees a pattern, and then moves a reader step by step through the pattern.

Rather than being descriptive, the dynamic thesis is analytical.

How to do it?

The thesis should answer the question

“So what?” “What about it?”

The thesis often expresses a cause-effect relationship.

The Process of Creating and Narrowing a Thesis

Topic General area of interest

Focus development

Focus Definition A suitable question to inquire

about with respect to your topic

Forming a focus (The overview)

Combine your thoughts with what you are reading

This will help to develop a focus

Focus characteristics

Always in the form of a QUESTION (i.e. an issue)

Judgmental types of questions Can be a topic aspect or theme

within a topic

Resources to help form a focus

Indexes and tables of contents of books related to the topic

Prefaces and introductions of books Chapter summaries Further reading lists (reference lists

at end of chapters of book or articles)

Formation of the thesis statement

Thesis equals hypothesis (idea about the answer to your question)

Answers “What about it?” This is the “real” purpose or

intention of your writing!

Ingredients to a THESIS STATEMENT

Researched Takes a stand or point of view Is arguable ( idea, often cause-

effect)

Example:

Topic: Diet Focus: Nutrition of Elite

Athletes

POSSIBLE FOCUS STATEMENTS:

What are the special nutritional needs of elite athletes?

Are these good thesis statements? Athletes and nutrition. Athletes’ diets are a concern. Athletes require specific nutritional

considerations. The changing views of females in

society have influenced the development of recreational and organized sports for women in North America ,resulting in equality for women in the Olympics.