Building Your Thesis Building Your Thesis StatementStatementVietnam ResearchVietnam Research

http://www.sdst.org/shs/library/http://www.sdst.org/shs/library/thesis.htmlthesis.html

What is a Thesis?What is a Thesis?A thesis statement declares what you believe A thesis statement declares what you believe and what you intend to prove and what you intend to prove

makes the difference between a thoughtful makes the difference between a thoughtful research project and a simple retelling of facts. research project and a simple retelling of facts.

located at the end of your opening paragraph located at the end of your opening paragraph

your reader will be looking for your thesis. Make your reader will be looking for your thesis. Make it clear, strong, and easy to find it clear, strong, and easy to find

Example Thesis StatementsExample Thesis StatementsThe Simpsons The Simpsons represents the greatest animated show represents the greatest animated show in the history of television. in the history of television.

Although many parents of teens struggling with body Although many parents of teens struggling with body image may blame television models and other such image may blame television models and other such stars, these body issues and their disorders stem back stars, these body issues and their disorders stem back to their daughters' younger days of pigtails and to their daughters' younger days of pigtails and Barbies. Barbies.

Despite their high-tech special effects, today's Despite their high-tech special effects, today's graphically violent horror movies do not convey the graphically violent horror movies do not convey the creative use of cinematography or the emotional creative use of cinematography or the emotional impact that we saw in the classic horror films of the impact that we saw in the classic horror films of the 1940s and 50s. 1940s and 50s.

Attributes of a Good ThesisAttributes of a Good Thesispropose an arguable point with which people propose an arguable point with which people could reasonably disagree could reasonably disagree

It is specific and focused. (It is specific and focused. (Instead of music, Instead of music, think "American jazz in the 1930s" and your think "American jazz in the 1930s" and your argument about it.)argument about it.)

It clearly asserts your own conclusion based on It clearly asserts your own conclusion based on evidence evidence

It It avoidsavoids vague language (like "it seems"). vague language (like "it seems").

It It avoidsavoids the first person. (“In my opinion…”) the first person. (“In my opinion…”)

Attributes of a Good ThesisAttributes of a Good Thesis

It should pass the It should pass the So what? or Who So what? or Who cares? testcares? test (Would your most honest (Would your most honest friend ask why he should care or respond friend ask why he should care or respond with "but everyone knows that"?) with "but everyone knows that"?)

For instance, "people should avoid driving For instance, "people should avoid driving under the influence of alcohol," would be under the influence of alcohol," would be unlikely to evoke any opposition. unlikely to evoke any opposition.

How do you know if you've got a How do you know if you've got a solid tentative thesis? solid tentative thesis? 

Try these five tests:Try these five tests:

Does the thesis  inspire a reasonable reader to ask, Does the thesis  inspire a reasonable reader to ask, "How?" or Why?" "How?" or Why?"

Would a reasonable reader NOT respond with "Duh!" Would a reasonable reader NOT respond with "Duh!" or "So what?" or "Gee, no kidding!" or "Who cares?" or "So what?" or "Gee, no kidding!" or "Who cares?"

Does the thesis  avoid general phrasing and/or Does the thesis  avoid general phrasing and/or sweeping words such as "all" or "none" or "every"? sweeping words such as "all" or "none" or "every"?

Does the thesis lead the reader toward the topic Does the thesis lead the reader toward the topic sentences (the subtopics needed to prove the thesis)? sentences (the subtopics needed to prove the thesis)?

Can the thesis be adequately developed in the Can the thesis be adequately developed in the required length of the paper or project? required length of the paper or project?

Thesis BrainstormingThesis Brainstorming Example of brainstorming a thesis:Example of brainstorming a thesis:

1.Select a topic: television violence and children1.Select a topic: television violence and children

2. Ask an interesting question: What are the 2. Ask an interesting question: What are the effects of television violence on children?effects of television violence on children?

3. 3. Revise the question into a thesisRevise the question into a thesis: : Violence on Violence on television increases aggressive behavior in preschool children.television increases aggressive behavior in preschool children.

4. Remember this argument is your “preliminary” 4. Remember this argument is your “preliminary” or “working” thesis. As you read you may discover or “working” thesis. As you read you may discover evidence that may affect your stance. evidence that may affect your stance. It is okay to It is okay to revise your thesisrevise your thesis!!