*Note: This guide assumes you have a topic and a thesis, as well as a paper draft or outline.
If you want help forming an argumentative or persuasive thesis, click here or here
If you are writing a Critical/Literary Analysis, Comparison, or History paper, review these:
Building a Critical Analysis Thesis
Introduction
Every written work should have some form of thesis, the main claim or argument the writer is trying to explain (stance) or prove (claim). The research process involves creating a working thesis, this means you may revise your thesis many times during the writing process. To determine how/where to revise your thesis, use the checklist below. Reread it and then answer “yes” or “no” to the following series of questions. Open the companion video here before you begin.
Does your thesis answer the prompt or research question?
Does your thesis preview the topics or ideas that you aregoing to discuss in more detail in your body paragraphs (keypoints)?
If someone only read this thesis statement, could they get agood idea of what your entire essay was going to be about?
Focused
- If you answered “no” to any of the questions in above, your thesis may need to be revised for focus. A thesis needs to be focused and direct, clearly addressing the prompt and stating the key points that you plan to discuss in the body paragraphs of your essay.
- Check out some of our resources on how to write a focused thesis statement here: ______.
Could someone make an opposing argument against your thesis? (The thesis should not be an objective fact)
Arguable
- If you answered “no” to any of the questions above, your thesis may need to be revised so that it is arguable. A thesis should take a side of an argument. It should not just be a fact or an idea that no one would agree with. Check to see if your thesis could be rewritten so that
- someone could argue with your points or come up with a totally different opinion than yours. Check out some of our resources on how to write an arguable thesis statement here: ______.
Based on the research you’ve done and facts you’ve gathered, do you have enough information to support your thesis?
Check the rubric for the page requirement. Will you be able to effectively answer this thesis within the required amount?
In-Scope
- If you answered “no” to any of the questions above, you may need to adjust the scope of your thesis. Think about how long your paper is required to be. Make sure that all of the ideas from your thesis can be addressed within that page limit. You don’t want a thesis that leads to a paper that is too long or too short.
Does your thesis use specific, precise language instead of general or overused words?
If you read the thesis aloud, does it sound wordy or too long?
Is your thesis free of qualifiers that may weaken your argument? (Examples of qualifiers include: very, really,maybe, perhaps, kind of, might, I think, etc.)
Clear
- If you answered “no” to any of the questions above, you may need to revise the wording and sentence structure of your thesis so that it is easier to read. Read it aloud to check for spelling or grammar issues. Try to delete extra words and choose specific words that really capture exactly what you want to say.
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