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Thesis Statement
(used for writing a literary analysis)
Title + Author + What+ Why/How/Because
“T + A + What + W / H / B”
Thesis Statement
(used for writing a research paper)
Topic + Opinion + Reasons
Ex: Dress code + should not +
1. Lacks self-expression
2. Financially difficult
Examples:
In other, words, a thesis statement looks something like this:
In Nectar in a Sieve, Markandaya uses formal language to communicate the nobility of a simple life.
Title
+
Author
+
What
+
Why
…or this:
In Nectar in a Sieve, Markandaya uses the tannery as a symbol of modernization which negatively affects the village by drastically altering their customs and economy.
Title
+ Author +
What
+
How
…or this:
Although Ira prostitutes herself in Markandaya’s Nectar in a Sieve, she remains a likable character because of her selfless motivation to save Kuti’s life.
Author
+
Title
+
What
+
Because
NOTE: Rather than only using why/how/because statements, consider using other words that signal multiple dimensions of the issue, such as although, unless,
however, prove, disprove, or contradict. These terms show that there is a conflict or complication to be discussed, which makes a more interesting essay like this:
Although Markandaya intended Nectar in a Sieve to be read and comprehended by western readers, the eastern point-of-view tends to shape the novel through the
Author
+
Title
+
What
+
Complication
customs and relationships in Rukmani’s family life.
Still Confused?
A thesis IS NOT:
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A thesis IS:
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an interesting and insightful argument you want to make.
broad enough to describe the entire argument you are making
throughout the paper.
specific to the topic and scope of the paper. It is not so broad that the
argument cannot be fully explored in the page allotment for the
assignment. Neither is it so specific that it leaves out key aspects of the
argument.
A thesis DOES:
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take a stand to change the reader’s mind about something.
appear close to the end of the introduction of any given essay.
justify the purpose and significance of the argument by providing
context, contradicting a widely held belief, correcting, or building upon
an existing idea.
address a single core issue, although it may explore complications of
this issue. Great theses often contain words like because, although,
unless, and however, which demonstrate the a sometimes unexpected
relationship between ideas.
answer the “So what/Who cares?” question.
inspire the reader to ask “How?” or “Why?”
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a mere statement of fact, such as:
“In Nectar in a Sieve, Markandaya tells the story of woman who lives in
a feudal society and struggles with the effects of poverty throughout
her life.”
a list of items, such as:
“In Nectar in a Sieve, Markandaya uses vibrant imagery, painful irony,
and poignant metaphors.
obvious, such as:
“In Nectar in a Sieve, Markandaya highlights the plight of the poor in
India.”
vague, such as:
“In Nectar in a Sieve, Markandaya suggests some positive and negative
things about modernization and industrialization in India.” (“Positive”
and “negative” lack specificity.)
A thesis DOES NOT:
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present a shocking finding without supporting evidence, it will again
fail, for the critical reader will dismiss the claim, such as:
“Although many readers may not notice it, in Nectar in a Sieve
Markandaya explores internal conflict through the secret and
conflicted lesbian relationship between Rukmani and Kunthi.” Because
the author cannot provide ample evidence to support this claim, it
proves ineffective.
have to be only one sentence in length. If you have a long paper with a
particularly meaty argument, you may need two sentences to convey
your overarching claim.
have a divided focus on two unrelated ideas.
cause a reader to think “Who cares?” or “Duh!”
use sweeping terms like “all,” “none,” or “every.”