Thesis Statements & Organization

Basically, any writing of this sort attempts to prove:•What the author is trying to say in the book

AND•How the author tries to say it

LITERARY ANALYSIS

A thesis statement sums up everything you are going to say within your paper

in one sentence,

though you would NEVER say, “my paper is going to be about…”

THESIS STATEMENTS

What components does that require?• mention title of the novel• mention author of the novel• statement of what the author is trying to say• statement of how the author is trying to say it

In order to do this you need to know these – try it now!

THESIS STATEMENTS

Let’s apply these ideas to a book you’ve studied: remember 1st semester?

Title?

Author?

MESSAGE/THEME

Theme?• The trouble with society is that human beings are inherently savagesHow?• Setting• Symbolism• Characters (Jack, Ralph, Simon)• Plot structure (rising action & climax)

WHAT GOLDING IS TRYING TO SAY

How might we express that in a thesis statement?

In Lord of the Flies, William Golding uses setting and symbolism to illustrate that society is flawed because human beings are inherently savages.

WHAT WE MIGHT TRY TO SAY

Use a basic formula:

In (title of novel), (author's name) uses (literary device – how?) to

(show/criticize/explain/etc.) (some aspect of human nature – what?).

point.

THESIS STATEMENTSHOW DID I DO

THAT?

In (The Scarlet Letter), (Nathaniel Hawthorne) uses (symbolism and motif) to (illustrate) that (individuals who are ostracized from society can become stronger as a result).

Toulmin calls this a large claim:Something I am going to prove

by the end of my paper

HERE’S ANOTHER EXAMPLE…

Use the resources I’ve shared and the ideas you’ve developed to write your own thesis statement (large claim).

When finished, start thinking about how you’ll support that.

NOW IT’S YOUR TURN

Follow this format:

I. IntroductionII. Body Paragraph #1III. Body Paragraph #2IV. Body Paragraph #3V. Conclusion

Easy, right?It’s what goes inside that’s more difficult…

START TO OUTLINE YOUR IDEAS

Body Paragraphs will divide like this…II. Body #1 (general subject here)

A. Topic Sentence (claim #1)1. lead into data2. individual transition before evidence

B. Evidence to support A. (data)1. poss. detail2. poss. detail

C. Analysis (Warrant)1. explain how evidence proves claim2. further explanation

OUTLINE FORMAT

If at any point you need further detail or explanation, additionally divide like this:

II.

A. 1.

a. b.

i.ii.

2. B.

OUTLINE FORMAT

Don’t worry about sentences

or punctuation!

YAY!!!short phrases will do (except for thesis & TS)

OUTLINE FORMAT

With evidence (or data, as Toulmin calls it):

Examples from the text:Direct quotations

Summaries of scenesParaphrase

This is why it’s always important to read carefully and highlight useful passages and

quotes

OUTLINE CONTENT

This will be the first sentence in your body paragraph.

This MUST connect directly to your thesis statement.

Do NOT start a body paragraph with a quotation!

TOPIC SENTENCE

Thesis: In his classic novel, The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne uses symbolism to portray that people should come to terms

with their mistakes and learn from them.

Topic Sentence: One symbol that Hawthorne implements to communicate this theme

throughout the novel is the scarlet letter ‘A’ that Hester wears upon her bosom.

GOOD TOPIC SENTENCE

Thesis: In his classic novel, The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne uses symbolism to portray

that people should come to terms with their mistakes and learn from them.

Topic Sentence: One symbol is the letter ‘A.’

Topic Sentence: Hester Prynne is an extremely strong character in The Scarlet Letter.

Topic Sentence: I think that one big symbol in the book is the letter she wears.

BAD TOPIC SENTENCES

Thesis: In his classic novel, The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne uses symbolism to portray that people should come to terms with their mistakes and

learn from them.

Topic Sentence: One symbol that Hawthorne implements to communicate this theme throughout the novel is the scarlet letter ‘A’ that Hester wears

upon her bosom.

This connects directly to the thesis AND gives focus to the writer’s paragraph.

GOOD TOPIC SENTENCE

Once you’ve written your body paragraphs,

THEN

go back to the beginning and write your introduction.

THENfinish with your conclusion.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Introduction will divide like this…

I. IntroductionA. Attention Getter

1. there may be need2. to divide lower3. for more detail

B. Link (transition)C. Thesis

OUTLINE FORMAT