just the plain facts! presentation series theses and thesis-statements © nicholas g. ashby 2004

Just the plain facts!Just the plain facts! PRESENTATION SERIESPRESENTATION SERIES

Theses and thesis-statementsTheses and thesis-statements

© © Nicholas G. Ashby 2004Nicholas G. Ashby 2004

Theses and thesis-statementsTheses and thesis-statements

Most academic essay assignments require Most academic essay assignments require you to come up with and defend a thesis. you to come up with and defend a thesis. How well this is done has a profound effect How well this is done has a profound effect on the grade the essay receives. on the grade the essay receives. You You should be clear about the answers to the should be clear about the answers to the following questions before starting a thesis-following questions before starting a thesis-based assignment:based assignment:

What is a thesis?What is a thesis? What is the purpose of a thesis?What is the purpose of a thesis? What is a thesis statement?What is a thesis statement?

What is a thesis?What is a thesis?

A sentence that makes a claim about somethingA sentence that makes a claim about something

(usually about an assigned topic or issue) could(usually about an assigned topic or issue) could

be turned into a thesis. be turned into a thesis. Here are some examplesHere are some examples

of sentences that make a claim about something:of sentences that make a claim about something:

there should be a worldwide ban on DDT usethere should be a worldwide ban on DDT use pre-planned violence is not the cause of football pre-planned violence is not the cause of football

hooliganismhooliganism even very small networks of neurons are even very small networks of neurons are

capable of learning and memory.capable of learning and memory.


However, a sentence that makes a claim However, a sentence that makes a claim aboutabout

something is not a something is not a well-supported thesiswell-supported thesis until until

reasons or evidencereasons or evidence are provided are provided to persuadeto persuade

the readerthe reader that the claim is true or probable.that the claim is true or probable.

Hence, Hence, a well-supported thesis is essentiallya well-supported thesis is essentially

the conclusion of an argument.the conclusion of an argument. An assignment An assignment

that requires you to come up with a thesis isthat requires you to come up with a thesis is

an assignment that requires you to argue for aan assignment that requires you to argue for a

claim about something.claim about something.


Reasons/evidenceReasons/evidence

Claim about something (thesis)Claim about something (thesis)

What is the purpose of a thesis?What is the purpose of a thesis?

A thesis-based essay assignment has twoA thesis-based essay assignment has two

purposes:purposes:

to give you the opportunity to to give you the opportunity to demonstrate your academic skills and demonstrate your academic skills and talentstalents

to add to the body of knowledge about to add to the body of knowledge about thethe

topic or issue explored in the essay. topic or issue explored in the essay.


Academic skills and talentsAcademic skills and talents

A thesis shows how well (or not!) you A thesis shows how well (or not!) you understand the topicunderstand the topic

It is hard to come up with a thesis that isIt is hard to come up with a thesis that is

relevantrelevant to a topic or issue that you do to a topic or issue that you do notnot

fully understand!fully understand!



A thesis that A thesis that misses the cruxmisses the crux of a topic or of a topic or issueissue

is a sign to the grader that you have is a sign to the grader that you have failed tofailed to

grasp the topic or issue fully!grasp the topic or issue fully!



A thesis that A thesis that goes to the cruxgoes to the crux of the of the mattermatter

indicates to the grader that you haveindicates to the grader that you have

understood the topic or issue.understood the topic or issue.


A thesis can fail to be relevant to the A thesis can fail to be relevant to the topictopic

or issue in a number of ways:or issue in a number of ways:

the thesis could simply have no logical the thesis could simply have no logical connection to the topic or issueconnection to the topic or issue

the thesis could be trivialthe thesis could be trivial the thesis could be too widethe thesis could be too wide the thesis could be too narrow the thesis could be too narrow


No logical connection!No logical connection!

Suppose you have an assignment that asks youSuppose you have an assignment that asks you

to write a thesis-based essay on the issue ofto write a thesis-based essay on the issue of

whether mandatory physical education at allwhether mandatory physical education at all

high school grades would significantly impacthigh school grades would significantly impact

on adult obesity rates in Canada. You come upon adult obesity rates in Canada. You come up

with the thesis: with the thesis: eating disorders amongeating disorders among

high school students contributes significantly tohigh school students contributes significantly to

obesity in adult life.obesity in adult life.


The thesis: The thesis: eating disorders amongeating disorders among

high school students contributes high school students contributes significantly tosignificantly to

obesity in adult life obesity in adult life is interesting, but it hasis interesting, but it has

nothing to do with the assigned issue, whichnothing to do with the assigned issue, which

concerned concerned mandatorymandatory physical education at physical education at allall

high school gradeshigh school grades, not eating disorders at , not eating disorders at highhigh

school!school!


Arguing for a thesis that has nothing to do with theArguing for a thesis that has nothing to do with the

assigned topic is sometimes called assigned topic is sometimes called going off topic. going off topic.

Another way of going off topic is to discuss evidenceAnother way of going off topic is to discuss evidence

that has no logical connection to the thesis youthat has no logical connection to the thesis you

indicate in your thesis-statement! indicate in your thesis-statement! If your thesis is If your thesis is thatthat

there should be mandatory physical education at allthere should be mandatory physical education at all

high school grades, don’t spend your essay high school grades, don’t spend your essay discussingdiscussing

evidence for the thesis that eating disorders at highevidence for the thesis that eating disorders at high

school contribute to adult obesity!school contribute to adult obesity!


To help avoid going off topic, To help avoid going off topic, read and re-read and re-readread

the assignment instructions until youthe assignment instructions until you

completely understand what you have to do.completely understand what you have to do. IfIf

anything is unclear, ask the professor or TA. anything is unclear, ask the professor or TA.

When you are arranging the body of yourWhen you are arranging the body of your

essay, essay, check that the evidence is relevant tocheck that the evidence is relevant to

the thesis you state in the introduction!the thesis you state in the introduction!


Trivial theses!Trivial theses!

A thesis that everyone already agrees withA thesis that everyone already agrees with

is a trivial thesis.is a trivial thesis.

Suppose you had an assignment that Suppose you had an assignment that requiredrequired

you to write a thesis-based essay on theyou to write a thesis-based essay on the

problem of homelessness in Toronto. You didproblem of homelessness in Toronto. You did

your research and came up with the thesis:your research and came up with the thesis:

homelessness is a real problem in Toronto.homelessness is a real problem in Toronto.


This thesis is trivial because everyone This thesis is trivial because everyone wouldwould

agree with it. agree with it.

Everybody thinks that homelessness is aEverybody thinks that homelessness is a

problem in Toronto. problem in Toronto. So it is a waste of timeSo it is a waste of time

writing an essay that argues for the thesis writing an essay that argues for the thesis thatthat

homelessness is a real problem in Toronto!homelessness is a real problem in Toronto!


It is also a trivial thesis vis-à-vis theIt is also a trivial thesis vis-à-vis the

assignment assignment because it is assumed to be because it is assumed to be truetrue

in the assignment instructions…in the assignment instructions…

If you are asked to write on the problem ofIf you are asked to write on the problem of

homelessness in Toronto, then it is fair to homelessness in Toronto, then it is fair to saysay

that it is a given that homelessness is athat it is a given that homelessness is a

problem in Toronto!problem in Toronto!


To avoid trivial theses:To avoid trivial theses: be thorough in your reading and be thorough in your reading and

research, and truly reflect on what you research, and truly reflect on what you discoverdiscover

make sure that your thesis is more make sure that your thesis is more detailed and specific than assumptions in detailed and specific than assumptions in the assignment instructions (unless the the assignment instructions (unless the thesis itself is an assigned one)thesis itself is an assigned one)

try to come up with an original thesis – try to come up with an original thesis – but remember that the more but remember that the more controversial the thesis, the harder it will controversial the thesis, the harder it will be to argue for it effectively!be to argue for it effectively!


Some theses more detailed than the assumption Some theses more detailed than the assumption thatthat

homelessness is a problem in Toronto:homelessness is a problem in Toronto:

creating more inner-city shelters will not alleviate creating more inner-city shelters will not alleviate the problem of homelessness in Torontothe problem of homelessness in Toronto

the problem of homelessness in Toronto is made the problem of homelessness in Toronto is made worse by the lack of investment in affordable worse by the lack of investment in affordable housinghousing

to help ease the problem of homelessness in to help ease the problem of homelessness in Toronto, more resources need to be channeled Toronto, more resources need to be channeled into support for those living with mental into support for those living with mental disabilities. disabilities.


A thesis-based assignment might give theA thesis-based assignment might give the

thesis to you thesis to you directlydirectly, or , or indirectlyindirectly via a via a

question or statement that you must agree question or statement that you must agree oror

disagree with. disagree with.

Here, you do not have to worry about Here, you do not have to worry about trivialtrivial

theses, theses, but be concerned about thebut be concerned about the

effectiveness of your supporting argument!effectiveness of your supporting argument!


Theses that are too wide!Theses that are too wide!A thesis is too wide if it claims more than isA thesis is too wide if it claims more than isnecessary.necessary.

If you were asked to write a thesis-based If you were asked to write a thesis-based assignmentassignment

on the problem of urban sprawl in the GTA, and on the problem of urban sprawl in the GTA, and youyou

came up with the thesis: came up with the thesis: the root causes of urbanthe root causes of urbansprawl are the same in the Atlantic and Centralsprawl are the same in the Atlantic and CentralCanadian provincesCanadian provinces, you would have a thesis that , you would have a thesis that

waswastoo wide!too wide!


This thesis does bear a logical connection This thesis does bear a logical connection toto

the assigned topic, but it includesthe assigned topic, but it includes more more thanthan

was assigned (urban sprawl in the GTA). was assigned (urban sprawl in the GTA). ThisThis

results in a lower grade, not a higher results in a lower grade, not a higher grade!!grade!!


Wide theses should be avoided because they:Wide theses should be avoided because they: leave you open to the charge of having leave you open to the charge of having

gone off topicgone off topic are much harder to argue for effectively – are much harder to argue for effectively –

the more your thesis includes, the more the more your thesis includes, the more reasons you must supply in order to reasons you must supply in order to support it. support it. Why create the extra work for Why create the extra work for yourself?!yourself?!

typically result in essays that are typically result in essays that are superficial and lacking in detailed superficial and lacking in detailed argument.argument.


The best ways to avoid a wide thesis are The best ways to avoid a wide thesis are to:to:

make sure that you fully understand the make sure that you fully understand the assignment instructionsassignment instructions

allow yourself time to research the topic allow yourself time to research the topic thoroughlythoroughly

check to make sure that your thesis is check to make sure that your thesis is focused on the assigned topic – focused on the assigned topic – if you are if you are unsure, check with the professor or TA.unsure, check with the professor or TA.


Theses that are too narrow!Theses that are too narrow!A thesis is too narrow if it claims less than isA thesis is too narrow if it claims less than isnecessary.necessary.

If you were asked to write a thesis-based essayIf you were asked to write a thesis-based essayon the likelihood of manned exploration of ouron the likelihood of manned exploration of oursolar-system, and you came up with the thesis:solar-system, and you came up with the thesis:renewed manned exploration of the Moon isrenewed manned exploration of the Moon islikelylikely, you would have a thesis that was too, you would have a thesis that was toonarrow!narrow!

What is the purpose of a thesis? What is the purpose of a thesis? (ctd.)(ctd.)


This thesis does bear a logical connection This thesis does bear a logical connection toto

the assigned topic, but it includesthe assigned topic, but it includes less less thanthan

was assigned (manned exploration of our was assigned (manned exploration of our

solar-system…not just the Moon). solar-system…not just the Moon). This This resultsresults

in a lower grade!!in a lower grade!!


Narrow theses should be avoided as they:Narrow theses should be avoided as they:

leave you open to the charge of having leave you open to the charge of having gone off topicgone off topic

leave you open to the criticism of leave you open to the criticism of having failed to take into account a having failed to take into account a variety of important and crucial points. variety of important and crucial points.


The best ways to avoid a narrow thesis are The best ways to avoid a narrow thesis are to:to:

make sure that you fully understand the make sure that you fully understand the assignment instructionsassignment instructions

allow yourself time to research the topic allow yourself time to research the topic thoroughlythoroughly

check to make sure that your thesis is check to make sure that your thesis is focused on the assigned topic – focused on the assigned topic – if you are if you are unsure, check with the professor or TA.unsure, check with the professor or TA.


Academic skills and talentsAcademic skills and talents

How well you argue for your thesis How well you argue for your thesis shows how good (or bad!) you are at shows how good (or bad!) you are at critical thinkingcritical thinking

An essay with An essay with a thesis that is not well-a thesis that is not well-arguedargued

forfor will not get the best grade, no matter will not get the best grade, no matter

how interesting the thesis is.how interesting the thesis is.


For your supporting argument to be For your supporting argument to be effective:effective:

it should include it should include trustworthytrustworthy evidence evidence

the evidence should be the evidence should be relevantrelevant to the to the thesis.thesis. For more on this, see the

BWC presentation on how to argue for a thesis.

What is a thesis-statement?What is a thesis-statement?

A thesis-statement is simply a sentence, A thesis-statement is simply a sentence, or aor a

couple of sentences that tell the reader couple of sentences that tell the reader whatwhat

the thesis of your essay is. the thesis of your essay is. Thesis-Thesis-statementsstatements

are easy to write.are easy to write. They are factual They are factual sentencessentences

like any other factual sentence!like any other factual sentence!


Some examples of possible thesis-Some examples of possible thesis-statements:statements:

there should be a phased-in worldwide there should be a phased-in worldwide ban on the use of DDT ban on the use of DDT

pre-planned violence is not the cause of pre-planned violence is not the cause of football hooliganismfootball hooliganism

memory and learning can be caused by memory and learning can be caused by simple mechanismssimple mechanisms


A thesis-statement typically appears in anA thesis-statement typically appears in an

essay’s introduction, and is repeated in theessay’s introduction, and is repeated in the

essay’s conclusion. essay’s conclusion. A thesis-statement A thesis-statement appearsappears

in an essay’s introduction so that the readerin an essay’s introduction so that the reader

can know what thesis is argued for in the bodycan know what thesis is argued for in the body

of the essay. of the essay. The next few slides provideThe next few slides provide

examples of thesis-statements (examples of thesis-statements (in bluein blue) within) within

the context of essay introductions. the context of essay introductions.


The question of whether there should be a worldwideThe question of whether there should be a worldwideban on the use of DDT is a complex one, to be sure.ban on the use of DDT is a complex one, to be sure.The harmful effects of DDT are well-documented andThe harmful effects of DDT are well-documented andthe evidence is incontrovertible. However, it is alsothe evidence is incontrovertible. However, it is alsoundeniable that DDT has saved millions of lives inundeniable that DDT has saved millions of lives insub-Saharan Africa. New, less environmentally harmfulsub-Saharan Africa. New, less environmentally harmfulmethods of controlling malaria are being developed,methods of controlling malaria are being developed,but they are not yet ready for widespread use.but they are not yet ready for widespread use.Clearly, DDT should be banned worldwide, but theClearly, DDT should be banned worldwide, but theban should be phased-in as these new methodsban should be phased-in as these new methodsbecome available to take its place.become available to take its place.


The troubling phenomenon of football hooliganism The troubling phenomenon of football hooliganism hashas

been with us for several decades, but the recent,been with us for several decades, but the recent,

vicious clashes between rival fans has fuelled thevicious clashes between rival fans has fuelled the

debate over its causes. One commonly held belief isdebate over its causes. One commonly held belief is

that football hooliganism is caused by violence whichthat football hooliganism is caused by violence which

has been pre-planned by itinerant fans. has been pre-planned by itinerant fans. However, allHowever, all

available scientific research shows quite clearly thatavailable scientific research shows quite clearly that

pre-planned violence is not the cause of footballpre-planned violence is not the cause of football

hooliganism.hooliganism.


To many, learning and memory are astonishing abilitiesTo many, learning and memory are astonishing abilities

that must obviously be caused by complexthat must obviously be caused by complex

mechanisms. This view was attacked by behaviourismmechanisms. This view was attacked by behaviourism

in the early twentieth century, but by the end of thein the early twentieth century, but by the end of the

century behaviourism, as a distinct philosophicalcentury behaviourism, as a distinct philosophical

position, had become unpopular. position, had become unpopular. More recently,More recently,

research in connectionism has shown convincingly thatresearch in connectionism has shown convincingly that

even very small networks of neurons are capable ofeven very small networks of neurons are capable of

learning and memory, thus vindicating behaviourism’slearning and memory, thus vindicating behaviourism’s

original insight.original insight.


Writing a thesis-statement is as easy Writing a thesis-statement is as easy asas

writing any other factual sentence.writing any other factual sentence.

The challenging The challenging part is coming up part is coming up with a good thesis with a good thesis and supporting it and supporting it with an effective with an effective argument!!!argument!!!

Frequently asked questionsFrequently asked questions

1.1. Why am I finding it hard to come upWhy am I finding it hard to come up

with a thesis?with a thesis?

The most common reason is that you are tryingThe most common reason is that you are trying

to come up with a thesis before you have doneto come up with a thesis before you have done

sufficient reading and research. sufficient reading and research. You can’t comeYou can’t come

up with a thesis about an issue until you haveup with a thesis about an issue until you have

researched that issue! Do the research first andresearched that issue! Do the research first and

then it will be possible to come up with athen it will be possible to come up with a

thesis.thesis.


2.2. I’m having trouble coming up with aI’m having trouble coming up with a

thesis-statement – help!thesis-statement – help!

The most common reason for this is that youThe most common reason for this is that you

are doing things in the wrong order. Do theare doing things in the wrong order. Do the

reading and research first – make sure that youreading and research first – make sure that you

understand the issue. Then come up withunderstand the issue. Then come up with

a thesis. Then write your thesis-statement. a thesis. Then write your thesis-statement. IfIf

you do things in this order, you should find ityou do things in this order, you should find it

easier to write your thesis-statement.easier to write your thesis-statement.


3.3. I’ve done the reading and research,I’ve done the reading and research,

but I’m still having trouble coming upbut I’m still having trouble coming up

with a thesis!with a thesis!

Are there differing viewpoints on the issue Are there differing viewpoints on the issue youyou

have researched? If so, you could argue that ahave researched? If so, you could argue that a

particular viewpoint is more plausible thanparticular viewpoint is more plausible than

others. others. If no claim seems worth arguing for,If no claim seems worth arguing for,

then you may have failed to understand thethen you may have failed to understand the

material you have read and need to read itmaterial you have read and need to read it

again. again.



but I’m still having trouble coming up with abut I’m still having trouble coming up with a

thesis! (continued)thesis! (continued)

Check over the assignment instructions to make sureCheck over the assignment instructions to make sure

that your expectations for the assignment arethat your expectations for the assignment are

realistic. realistic. For example, if you are asked to write aFor example, if you are asked to write a

short thesis-based essay on women in sport, and theshort thesis-based essay on women in sport, and the

research includes lots of statistical data, you wouldresearch includes lots of statistical data, you would

obviously not be expected to include all that data inobviously not be expected to include all that data in

your essay – just come up with and defend a thesisyour essay – just come up with and defend a thesis

pertaining to the main ideas supported by the data.pertaining to the main ideas supported by the data.



but I’m still having trouble coming upbut I’m still having trouble coming up

with a thesis! (continued)with a thesis! (continued)

Think about the reading and research that Think about the reading and research that youyou

have done in relation to the main themes have done in relation to the main themes andand

messages of the course. messages of the course. These may giveThese may give

you a clue about what sort of claim would beyou a clue about what sort of claim would be

good to use as a thesis.good to use as a thesis.

Frequently asked questionsFrequently asked questions4.4. How long should my thesis-statementHow long should my thesis-statementbe?be?In a typical academic essay, a thesis-statementIn a typical academic essay, a thesis-statementshould be no more than one or two sentencesshould be no more than one or two sentenceslong. long. Your thesis-statement needs to be clearYour thesis-statement needs to be clearfor the reader, who will encounter it in thefor the reader, who will encounter it in theintroductory paragraph of your essay. Sointroductory paragraph of your essay. Sowhen you write your thesis-statement, keep itwhen you write your thesis-statement, keep itclear and straightforward – avoid complicatingclear and straightforward – avoid complicatingdetails. details.


5.5. I have come up with several theses,I have come up with several theses,

but I can’t decide which one to use.but I can’t decide which one to use.

Select a thesis according to interest andSelect a thesis according to interest and

academic suitability. Choose the thesis thatacademic suitability. Choose the thesis that

most interests you. most interests you. Select your thesis, bearingSelect your thesis, bearing

in mind that it must have relevance to thein mind that it must have relevance to the

assigned topic or issue, must not be trivial, tooassigned topic or issue, must not be trivial, too

wide or too narrow, and that it must bewide or too narrow, and that it must be

possible to support it with relevant, trustworthypossible to support it with relevant, trustworthy

evidence.evidence.

Other sources and resourcesOther sources and resources Make an appointment for the Bethune Writing CentreMake an appointment for the Bethune Writing Centre (go to Master’s office at 205 Bethune to book a slot,(go to Master’s office at 205 Bethune to book a slot, or call 416 736 2100 ext. 22035 ) or call 416 736 2100 ext. 22035 )

Visit York Centre for Academic Writing online Visit York Centre for Academic Writing online resources at:resources at:

http://www.arts.yorku.ca/caw/resources.htmlhttp://www.arts.yorku.ca/caw/resources.html

The following books may be useful:The following books may be useful:Hacker, D. (2003). Hacker, D. (2003). A Canadian writer’s referenceA Canadian writer’s reference(2(2ndnd ed.). Scarborough, Ont.: Nelson Thomson ed.). Scarborough, Ont.: Nelson ThomsonLearning. Learning. Call number: PE 1408 H293Call number: PE 1408 H293

Troyka, L. Q. (2002). Troyka, L. Q. (2002). Simon & Schuster handbookSimon & Schuster handbookfor writersfor writers (3 (3rdrd ed.). Scarborough, Ont.: Prentice-Hall. ed.). Scarborough, Ont.: Prentice-Hall.Call number: PE 1408 T697Call number: PE 1408 T697

Other sources and resourcesOther sources and resources

For science students writing a scientific report, the For science students writing a scientific report, the requirements for a thesis are different from those requirements for a thesis are different from those stated here. The following book will be particularly stated here. The following book will be particularly useful:useful:

Day, Robert A. (1998). Day, Robert A. (1998). How to write & publish a How to write & publish a scientificscientific

paperpaper (5 (5thth ed.). Phoenix, Arizona: The Oryx Press. ed.). Phoenix, Arizona: The Oryx Press.

Call number: Call number: T11 D33T11 D33

just the plain facts! presentation series theses and thesis-statements © nicholas g. ashby 2004

Documents

thesis slide

thesis statement

thesisbased assignment

wellsupported thesis

thesisstatements nicholas

thesisbased essay assignment

assigned topic

academic skills