Understanding Thesis Statements: Definition, Importance, and Examples, Papers of English Language

Download Understanding Thesis Statements: Definition, Importance, and Examples and more Papers English Language in PDF only on Docsity! Thesis Statements SUU Writing Center (last updated 08/18/2004) What is a thesis statement? A thesis, by definition, is an assertion meant to initiate and invite an argument. In other words, it is a statement of your perspective on a given issue, a statement that often includes an assertion of your point of view and a short listing of the reasons you believe as you do. If you include a listing of reasons in your thesis, be sure to discuss, explain, and support each of those reasons as the paper progresses. A THESIS STATEMENT IS NOT SIMPLY A STATEMENT OF FACT, NOR IS IT A STATEMENT OF UNSUPPORTED OPINION. Keep in mind that your paper will only be as significant and, therefore, as valuable as your thesis. Even if your thesis statement is clear, if it simply states the obvious, it will not strike the reader as worthwhile. Where does it appear? Although it is true that sometimes a writer implies a thesis rather than stating it directly, in most undergraduate college papers, the thesis appears either in the first line of the paper or directly after the introduction. Additionally, it is often restated (although not usually repeated word for word) in the conclusion of the essay. Sometimes a writer presents a thesis in the form of a question, especially when his or her point is likely face strong opposition from the paper’s intended audience. What are some examples of thesis statements? EXAMPLE of a THESIS STATEMENT appearing in the FIRST LINES of an essay: (This thesis statement is adapted from a speech to the National Organization of Women by Elizabeth George.) • Despite its reputation, polygamy is the one lifestyle that offers an independent woman a real chance to "have it all" because such a marriage offers women more choices of potential partners, gives them an empowering network of friendships with sister wives, and creates a humane system of childcare that benefits mothers and offspring alike. EXAMPLE of a THESIS STATEMENT FOLLOWING AN INTRODUCTION: (This introduction and thesis was written by SUU student John D. Bunkall as part of a researched argument for ENGL 2010): • INTRODUCTION: According to a recent report, in 2000, Jon Corzine, a multimillionaire from New Jersey, spent more than $60 million of his own fortune to win a seat in the United States Senate, while the average candidate spent $4.5 million. Despite current laws limiting the amount of money an individual can contribute to a campaign to $1,000, sixty-nine contributors gave $100,000 or more to the Republican National Committee to be used for campaigns, while seventy-two contributors gave $100,000 or more to the Democratic National Committee” (Cox par. 43). The same report indicates that a 1992 Gordon S. Black poll found that 75 percent of the registered likely voters agreed that “Congress is largely owned by special interest groups,” while 85 percent agreed that “special interest money buys the loyalty of candidates" (par.17). Such statistics suggest that laws in the current campaign finance system have allowed money and power to take control of the U.S. federal elections. Over half of the United States population are concerned about this system and feel that Congress should pass some sort of campaign reform legislation (par. 45). Even United States congressional representatives recognize the need for reform. Senator Robert Bennett from Utah has stated, "I am an advocate of both campaign finance reform and the constitution…. Clearly, the current system for financing political campaigns is imperfect and could be improved by reasonable reform" (1). • THESIS: Because citizens and legislators recognize the need for reform, the United States Congress should pass a law to change the current system of financing campaigns. Existing laws create an unequal playing field in favor of wealthy and powerful candidates and place greater importance on special interest groups, leading the populace to be more cynical toward government. Reform would allow the best candidate to win the election and return the candidate’s focus to their constituents. New reforms should include banning soft money, limiting all personal campaign expenditures, and increasing the amount of individual donations from $1,000.00 to $5,000.00. A GOOD thesis statement is: ARGUMENTATIVE • It should take some sort of stand on the issue; in other words, it should make a point with which reasonable people could disagree. A thesis statement should not simply state a fact. • It is based on evidence and an understanding of other reasonable viewpoints. A TIP ON WORDING: • Notice that both thesis statements above are pushing a point that is debatable. Bunkall’s thesis uses a common approach by employing a “should/because” assertion. • Be wary of asserting a thesis that is based on opinion alone. Opinions are of little value in academic writing unless they can be supported. FOCUSED • Avoid thesis statements that “bite off more than they can chew.” In other words, don’t try to argue more than you can research and prove, given the time and space you have available. A TIP ON SPECIFYING: In the second edition of the text Ancient Rhetorics for Contemporary Students, Sharon Crowley suggests that arguments can be based on either GENERAL or SPECIFIC issues. Crowley points out general issues usually “require broader knowledge” and more complicated arguments. Here are the questions that Crowley uses to show the difference between general and more specific approaches. (Examples continued on the next page:)