ENG 4U1ENG 4U1

Effective Thesis Statement Effective Thesis Statement Development for Development for

Literary AnalysisLiterary Analysis

Respond to the PromptRespond to the Prompt

• A thesis statement should respond directly A thesis statement should respond directly to the prompt. If the prompt is a direct to the prompt. If the prompt is a direct question, the thesis statement should question, the thesis statement should include a direct answer.include a direct answer.

• If the prompt asks you to develop an If the prompt asks you to develop an opinion or position about a topic or issue, opinion or position about a topic or issue, then the thesis statement should clearly then the thesis statement should clearly promote that one position. promote that one position.

• Using words and phrases from the prompt Using words and phrases from the prompt in the thesis will make a direct connection in the thesis will make a direct connection and capture the reader’s attention.and capture the reader’s attention.

Include a Definite Include a Definite StatementStatement

• There should be no “maybes” in a There should be no “maybes” in a thesis statement. Avoid weak or thesis statement. Avoid weak or wishy-washy language. Commit to wishy-washy language. Commit to the point of view you are expressing the point of view you are expressing and stick to one side.and stick to one side.

Create an Arguable ClaimCreate an Arguable Claim

• This means a thesis statement is a This means a thesis statement is a viewpoint or stance rather than a fact. viewpoint or stance rather than a fact. You must have something to argue You must have something to argue and you can not argue with facts.and you can not argue with facts.

• Instead, it should reflect a stance that Instead, it should reflect a stance that you plan to argue with specific you plan to argue with specific reasons and examples in the body of reasons and examples in the body of your essays.your essays.

Show Knowledge of the Show Knowledge of the TopicTopic

• Although you are not expected to be Although you are not expected to be experts about the topic on which you are experts about the topic on which you are writing, you should write a thesis from the writing, you should write a thesis from the perspective of someone who has at least perspective of someone who has at least done preliminary research.done preliminary research.

• One of the goals of writing an essay is to One of the goals of writing an essay is to inform a reader, even if it just of a inform a reader, even if it just of a particular point of view.particular point of view.

• Keep this in mind when you are writing.Keep this in mind when you are writing.

Convey a Passionate Convey a Passionate PerspectivePerspective

• Frankly, if you don’t care about your Frankly, if you don’t care about your topic, neither will the reader. topic, neither will the reader.

• A thesis statement that conveys A thesis statement that conveys passion and commitment will entice passion and commitment will entice readers and motivate them to read readers and motivate them to read the entire essay.the entire essay.

Create ParametersCreate Parameters

• A thesis statement should be specific A thesis statement should be specific enough to tackle in a five paragraph enough to tackle in a five paragraph essay. essay.

• However, it should be broad enough However, it should be broad enough to invite discussion, allow for to invite discussion, allow for analysis, and offer a variety of analysis, and offer a variety of examples.examples.

Outline the Essay Outline the Essay

• A three-point thesis statement will list the three A three-point thesis statement will list the three key reasons used in the body of the essay. By key reasons used in the body of the essay. By listing these reasons in the thesis, readers will listing these reasons in the thesis, readers will know what to expect in the body of the essay. know what to expect in the body of the essay.

• A three-point thesis statement will also help A three-point thesis statement will also help keep YOU on track. keep YOU on track.

• That is, the topic sentence of each body That is, the topic sentence of each body paragraph should relate directly back to a paragraph should relate directly back to a segment of the thesis statement. The order of segment of the thesis statement. The order of the paragraphs should follow the order the the paragraphs should follow the order the reasons were introduced in the thesis reasons were introduced in the thesis statement.statement.

Provide EvidenceProvide Evidence

• When you are constructing your thesis, you When you are constructing your thesis, you need to ensure that you can identify sufficient need to ensure that you can identify sufficient reasons and examples to back up your stance.reasons and examples to back up your stance.

• Your stance will create the stem of your thesis Your stance will create the stem of your thesis statement – YOUR ARGUMENT. statement – YOUR ARGUMENT.

• That’s why the brainstorming process should That’s why the brainstorming process should occur before you write your thesis.occur before you write your thesis.

• You should reflect and research enough to You should reflect and research enough to have a variety of ideas in your mental filing have a variety of ideas in your mental filing cabinet.cabinet.

Thesis Statement ChecklistThesis Statement Checklist

• To review, here is a checklist To review, here is a checklist

• Does your thesis statement respond directly to the prompt? Does your thesis statement respond directly to the prompt? • Does your thesis contain a definite statement? Does your thesis contain a definite statement? • Is your thesis an arguable claim? Is your thesis an arguable claim? • Does your thesis show you have knowledge about your Does your thesis show you have knowledge about your

topic? topic? • Does your thesis illustrate a passionate perspective? Does your thesis illustrate a passionate perspective? • Is your statement neither too specific nor too broad? Is your statement neither too specific nor too broad? • Does your thesis list the key points to be discussed in your Does your thesis list the key points to be discussed in your

essay? essay? • Can you provide evidence to back up your thesis?Can you provide evidence to back up your thesis?

A Working ExampleA Working Example

• For this example, we have used the text For this example, we have used the text “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson. This story by Shirley Jackson. This story explores the concept of mass hysteria and explores the concept of mass hysteria and is one of the most haunting and shocking is one of the most haunting and shocking stories of American modern fiction. stories of American modern fiction.

• In this story, Jackson criticizes the notion of In this story, Jackson criticizes the notion of challenging traditions, the danger of challenging traditions, the danger of ritualized behavior, the subjugation of ritualized behavior, the subjugation of women, and the dark side of human nature.women, and the dark side of human nature.

• Further, it questions individual rights and Further, it questions individual rights and identity.identity.

A Working Example: A Working Example: Respond to the PromptRespond to the Prompt

• The prompt for writing a five paragraph literary analysis The prompt for writing a five paragraph literary analysis essay is: essay is:

How does Jackson use literary elements to criticize How does Jackson use literary elements to criticize society?society?

• This prompt assumes that students have already This prompt assumes that students have already discussed the content of the text, so it’s not a matter of discussed the content of the text, so it’s not a matter of whether Jackson is criticizing the government; instead, whether Jackson is criticizing the government; instead, the prompt specifically asks the prompt specifically asks howhow she does it. she does it.

• You need to pay careful attention to the wording of the You need to pay careful attention to the wording of the prompt. prompt.

• With that in mind, you should use words from the prompt With that in mind, you should use words from the prompt to construct a thesis stem that answers the question.to construct a thesis stem that answers the question.

  

A Working Example:A Working Example:Include a Definite Include a Definite StatementStatement

• You need to select a position in your thesis You need to select a position in your thesis statements that you can argue wholeheartedly.statements that you can argue wholeheartedly.

• Again, avoid vague or wishy-washy language that will Again, avoid vague or wishy-washy language that will leave your reader guessing about your position. leave your reader guessing about your position.

• A thesis stem that uses language from the prompt A thesis stem that uses language from the prompt and also includes a definite statement could look like and also includes a definite statement could look like this example (this is your ARGUMENT):this example (this is your ARGUMENT):

In ‘The Lottery,’ Jackson criticizes society by _________"In ‘The Lottery,’ Jackson criticizes society by _________"

A Working Example:A Working Example:Create an Arguable ClaimCreate an Arguable Claim

• However you chose to complete this stem However you chose to complete this stem (what you will argue), you should be sure (what you will argue), you should be sure that it is a claim that can be argued. that it is a claim that can be argued.

• Your thesis statement should not include Your thesis statement should not include facts because you cannot argue with facts.facts because you cannot argue with facts.

• Instead, it should reflect an opinion that Instead, it should reflect an opinion that you plan to argue with specific reasons you plan to argue with specific reasons and examples in the body of your essays.and examples in the body of your essays.

A Working Example:A Working Example:Show Knowledge of the Show Knowledge of the TopicTopic• In this case, the thesis statement should reflect that In this case, the thesis statement should reflect that

you have not only read the short story but that you you have not only read the short story but that you are also familiar with the literary elements you’ve are also familiar with the literary elements you’ve selected. selected.

• If you select “flashback” as one of the literary If you select “flashback” as one of the literary elements that illustrates how Jackson is criticizing elements that illustrates how Jackson is criticizing society, make sure that you know what the term society, make sure that you know what the term means! means!

• It reveals that you didn’t understand that term since It reveals that you didn’t understand that term since there is no use of flashback in this text.there is no use of flashback in this text.

• Note: do not automatically use literary elements as supporting reasons Note: do not automatically use literary elements as supporting reasons unless specified by the prompt – this is a sample thesis.unless specified by the prompt – this is a sample thesis.

A Working Example:A Working Example:Create Parameters and Outline the Create Parameters and Outline the EssayEssay

• This is the essential purpose of a thesis statement. This is the essential purpose of a thesis statement.

• A three-point thesis statement accomplishes these two goals. A three-point thesis statement accomplishes these two goals. Now that you have created a thesis stem (your argument), you Now that you have created a thesis stem (your argument), you will select three literary elements used in the story to criticize the will select three literary elements used in the story to criticize the government. government.

• Each literary element should then be discussed in a separate Each literary element should then be discussed in a separate paragraph in the body of the essay. Here is the completed thesis paragraph in the body of the essay. Here is the completed thesis that both creates parameters that limit the scope of the essay as that both creates parameters that limit the scope of the essay as well as outlines the body of the essay:well as outlines the body of the essay:

• In In “The Lottery,”“The Lottery,” Shirley Jackson uses irony, static and stock Shirley Jackson uses irony, static and stock characters, and narrative voice as a means of social criticism. characters, and narrative voice as a means of social criticism.

THESIS STATEMENT DECONSTRUCTED:THESIS STATEMENT DECONSTRUCTED:

In In Harrison BergeronHarrison Bergeron, Vonnegut criticizes the government by , Vonnegut criticizes the government by using direct characterization, symbolism and external conflict.using direct characterization, symbolism and external conflict.

• ARGUMENT/STEM:ARGUMENT/STEM:

• Jackson criticizes societyJackson criticizes society

• SUPPORTING REASONS:SUPPORTING REASONS:

• Use of irony, static and stock Use of irony, static and stock characters, and narrative characters, and narrative voice. voice.

3 Point Thesis vs. Hidden 3 Point Thesis vs. Hidden Thesis Thesis • 3 Point Thesis:3 Point Thesis:

• In In “The Lottery,”“The Lottery,” Shirley Shirley Jackson uses irony, static Jackson uses irony, static and stock characters, and stock characters, and narrative voice as a and narrative voice as a means of social criticism. means of social criticism.

• Hidden Thesis:Hidden Thesis:

• In In “The Lottery“The Lottery,” ,” Jackson uses literary Jackson uses literary elements as a elements as a means of criticizing means of criticizing the government.the government.

Character Analysis ThesisCharacter Analysis Thesis

• Holden’s depression, his struggle with Holden’s depression, his struggle with loss and sustaining relationships, lead loss and sustaining relationships, lead him on a journey to self-discovery. him on a journey to self-discovery.

• Harry Potter is a brave character as he Harry Potter is a brave character as he stands up to unknown forces, fights for stands up to unknown forces, fights for his friends and creatively defeats his his friends and creatively defeats his enemies.enemies.

Cause and Effect ThesisCause and Effect Thesis

• The discriminatory experiences Scout The discriminatory experiences Scout endures during the trial, at school endures during the trial, at school and in her own home teach her to be and in her own home teach her to be compassionate.compassionate.

• Due to the fact that Holden is lonely, Due to the fact that Holden is lonely, depressed, and fears change, in the depressed, and fears change, in the end, he is forced to mature and face end, he is forced to mature and face reality. reality.

Thematic Thesis StatementThematic Thesis Statement

• Holden and the Invisible Man encounter the ugliness Holden and the Invisible Man encounter the ugliness and deceit present within society through their acts of and deceit present within society through their acts of rebellion, violence and methods of communication.rebellion, violence and methods of communication.

• Jo and Holden rebel against conformity as a result of Jo and Holden rebel against conformity as a result of their struggles with communication, protecting the their struggles with communication, protecting the innocence of others and the loss of their own innocence of others and the loss of their own innocence.innocence.

• Theme of powerTheme of power: : Ultimately, it is Macbeth’s obsession Ultimately, it is Macbeth’s obsession with power, the supernatural, and guilt that prevents with power, the supernatural, and guilt that prevents him from realizing his potential greatness.him from realizing his potential greatness.