English Composition
Several components comprise the making of a
useful, provocative thesis statement.
First, before writing the thesis,
be sure that you have read the source essay carefully and thoughtfully and that
you have a clear understanding of both the main and supporting claims as well
as the smaller, finer nuances that encompass the work.
Second, prior to composition,
determine which main and auxiliary ideas from the source text to explore in
your analysis. Some essays are richer,
more complex than others; therefore, your selection of a focus may well prove
critical in the overall caliber and effectiveness of your analysis.
Third, your thesis must be
argumentative in that it poses for the reader an interpretation of the source
text. You are primarily breaking down
the author’s ideas, but also her underlying assumptions, as well as the verbal
design and structure of those ideas.
Throughout your paper, you will examine the writer’s use of examples,
external quotations, and, where appropriate, the use of language.
Fourth, make your thesis
imaginative, creative in its reach. You
do not want to state the obvious. Here
is an example: Jack Shaheen argues that the media has systemically propagated negative
images of Arabs and Arab Americans.
Now this statement would work just fine as the first sentence of an
introductory paragraph. However, to rest
your central thought here would hardly address the keener erudition lurking
behind the author’s overall theme or the strategic plan by which he pursues his
thematic goal. Here is a second example,
one more befitting your level of abilities:
Shaheen’s critique of stereotypes
casts a rather wide net, encompassing images from wrestling to television
sit-coms. Were Shaheen, however, to
concentrate on the effect of evening news broadcasts, his piece might gain
greater authorial power and a deeper display of detail.
Finally, notice that the second
thesis example contains a tight control of the subject matter with even a
mention of specific images from the essay; it also judges Shaheen’s writing,
suggesting ways in which it might hold greater impact. (And yes, your thesis needn’t be one
sentence. You may use two, if necessary). And so, your thesis should draw on seminal
moments of the text as well as posit a critique of the source text, either its
ideas or the way they come together.
Introductory Paragraph:
Provide the author’s name, the title of the
source text, its general argument,
and your thesis
Summary:
In the space of a paragraph—no more than two
paragraphs— you should summarize the important claims and evidence from the
source text. You should include a review
of the writer’s examples, quotes from outside sources, etc., using this
material as a springboard for your analysis.
Suggestion:
Use transitions between all paragraphs and within paragraphs.
Suggestion:
Use sentences with phrases that credit the author with his or her
ideas. For example: Foucault
suggests… According to Lekfkowitz … The notion of a “split national imaginary,”
to borrow Said’s phraseology, …
Analysis:
In this space, you really begin to divide and
support your thesis statement. You want
to draw your topic sentences from the thesis statement, looking at different
sections of the source text through the prism of your thesis. Everything in your analysis should gesture
back to your thesis statement. Devote
the greater part of your essay to the analysis, and try not to fall into the
trap of simply rewriting the source text with a summary of its main and minor
ideas.
Suggestion:
Use critical verbs and verbal phrases to show your interpretive
understanding of what the author is saying and how he or she is saying it. Example:
Suggestion: Keep your ideas separate from the
ideas of the author.
Suggestion: Apply your knowledge of key
concepts (cultural mimicry/ Crab theory, etc.) to your discussion of the source
text.
Conclusion:
Make your conclusion interesting, not merely
compulsory. Restate your thesis but in
different language, not a cut and paste from the introduction. To keep your prose vibrant and interesting,
you may also choose to lodge a minor new point in the conclusion, a prediction,
a call for further analysis, etc.
General Suggestions:
Follow the correct MLA format.
Pay attention to your grammar and style
during the editing process.