Can you recognize the difference between a topic and a thesis statement? Look at the following examples and see if you can tell:
The even-numbered examples are thesis statements. Notice that they are complete sentences, and, most importantly, they give the reader an idea of the writer's opinion or stance on the topic. In fact, this opinion further narrows a well-narrowed topic, and sets the path for the rest of the paper.
The "Anchor" Model:
Some say that a good thesis statement should serve as an "anchor" to the essay. It is the one sentence that every other sentence should directly or indirectly support, no matter how far down in the paper you are.
For example, if your thesis is "Three major events influenced my grandfather's decision to immigrate to Canada," then every paragraph and every sentence should somehow support this. If you find yourself writing a sentence about life in Canada after the immigration, then you've gone beyond the scope of the thesis. If you write a sentence mentioning some historical happening that caused him to immigrate, then you're OK.
Looking back at the thesis statement from time to time can be a self-test, just to see that you're on track.
The "Blueprint" Model:
Some like to look at the thesis as a blueprint to the essay. A well-written thesis can actually "generate" the rest of the essay.
Using the sample thesis in the above paragraph, we can see that "three major events" are mentioned. This means that at least three supporting paragraphs, each describing one event, will be needed. In a sense, the three events are "causes" that result in the "effect" of grandfather's emigration, and by the end of the essay the reader should be able to understand that relationship. Using numbers like that is an easy way to "blueprint" an essay.
- The role of Catholicism in present-day Central America.
- A surge in Protestantism has diminished the role of the Catholic Church in present-day Central America.
- Pottery and cooking vessels in Ancient Japan.
- An improvement in pottery and cooking vessels had a direct impact on the health and longevity of the people of Ancient Japan.
- The value of "modesty" in modern Islam.
- Modern Islam is strongly influenced by the value of "modesty."
The even-numbered examples are thesis statements. Notice that they are complete sentences, and, most importantly, they give the reader an idea of the writer's opinion or stance on the topic. In fact, this opinion further narrows a well-narrowed topic, and sets the path for the rest of the paper.
The "Anchor" Model:
Some say that a good thesis statement should serve as an "anchor" to the essay. It is the one sentence that every other sentence should directly or indirectly support, no matter how far down in the paper you are.
For example, if your thesis is "Three major events influenced my grandfather's decision to immigrate to Canada," then every paragraph and every sentence should somehow support this. If you find yourself writing a sentence about life in Canada after the immigration, then you've gone beyond the scope of the thesis. If you write a sentence mentioning some historical happening that caused him to immigrate, then you're OK.
Looking back at the thesis statement from time to time can be a self-test, just to see that you're on track.
The "Blueprint" Model:
Some like to look at the thesis as a blueprint to the essay. A well-written thesis can actually "generate" the rest of the essay.
Using the sample thesis in the above paragraph, we can see that "three major events" are mentioned. This means that at least three supporting paragraphs, each describing one event, will be needed. In a sense, the three events are "causes" that result in the "effect" of grandfather's emigration, and by the end of the essay the reader should be able to understand that relationship. Using numbers like that is an easy way to "blueprint" an essay.
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