02Thesis


 * Developing a Thesis - ** printable doc (File > Download as)


 * //bit.ly/mrgothesis//**

1. Brainstorm 2. Gather Ideas 3. Shape into O+abc 4. Finalize into intro
 * Thesis writing tips from Purdue OWL (online writing lab)
 * Thesis creation
 * Thesis style
 * Use **parallel structure** when phrasing your thesis as a strong focused statement phrased symmetrically.
 * Books on How to Write a Thesis

Remember that the thesis is the foundation of an essay. It sets the argument from which all other ideas and arguments stem and to which all ideas in an essay must connect.


 * Some strategies **

A **basic thesis for an expository essay** should appear in the following form. Once you have mastered this, you can be more creative about the syntax (word order or phrasing): **O + a, b, and c. Opinion + because of + three sub-arguments.**

Consider this example from an essay on Nigerian author, Chinua Achebe's //Things Fall Apart//:

Achebe explores ** the complexity of the relationship the Ibo have toward women ** by examining ** their reverence for the Oracle of Hills and Caves **, the ** concept of Ani ** , and ** the mother-daughter bond **.

**Opinion**: ** the complexity of the relationship the Ibo have toward women **
 * ** Subargument #1: **** their reverence for the Oracle of Hills and Caves **
 * ** Subargument #2: **** concept of Ani **
 * ** Subargument #3: **** the mother-daughter bond **


 * Step #1: Brainstorm **
 * This step is crucial. Consider the topic or question you were assigned or have selected.
 * **Know the material** (article or piece of literature) you are analyzing.
 * Reread, review class notes and personal analysis , and turn to study guides  (e.g., sparknotes) or literary critcism  (//Literature Reference Centre// through the library) if necessary. Be sure to record the MLA source info.
 * **Know the topic.** Highlight important words or phrases in the topic. Look up  words or phrases with which you are unfamiliar.
 * *tip: for background info, turn to general reference (such as Britannica Online). Be sure to record the MLA source info.
 * **Connect topic to material.** Spend much time filling at least three sheets with ideas connecting the material to the topic . Consider major themes first and then consider the specifics of your form. See the analysis page for ideas. For a short story or novel, think of the elements of the story; for a play, consider the levels of dramatic significance; for a poem, consider the four steps of reading a poem.
 * What responses do you have to the topic? Consider the (implied) question.
 * What major ideas in the literary piece connect to your topic?
 * What moments in the story, play, or poem exemplify those connections?
 * What specific lines, words, phrases, snippets of dialogue or repeated phrases illustrate those moments?
 * Be sure to record the MLA source info (e.g., book, page(s), act/scene/line(s), poetic line number(s) ).
 * Use the various graphic organizers to help draw connections between ideas. A T-chart or Venn Diagram is always a good place to start.


 * Step #2: Gather and Label Ideas **
 * Look for patterns: Review your ideas and use coloured pens or highlighters to help you see patterns (repeating ideas that emerge)
 * Organize ideas into three sections : If working electronically, create a chart with three sections and organize ideas into these areas
 * Hint: Consider creating a fourth quadrant for a "miscellaneous" section. Here, you may wish to put ideas that don't fit into the other categories, but that may be useful material for later arguments. Alternatively, you can use this to be your weakest points.
 * Add evidence/support: If quotations are missing from ideas, add them and be sure to record the source info (e.g., page or line number)
 * Label sections: provide each section with a short 1 - 3 word phrase that captures the essence of that idea (subarguments).


 * Step #3: Compose Working Theses **
 * Reflect on your three subarguments and compare them against your response to the original (implied) topic question
 * Create an Opinion Statement that presents a claim to an argument and incorporates the subarguments.
 * Use parallel structure to phase your thesis in the clearest, most succinct manner possible
 * Devise two other theses using different phrasing and perhaps word order


 * Step #4: Finalize Thesis and anticipate in Intro Paragraph **
 * Revise and place your finalized thesis in your essay outline, at the end of the intro
 * Consider creative ways to anticipate your thesis (especially the subarguments) in the intro paragraph without repetition or redundancy

** Books on Essay Writing - available in our library! **