Writing assistance
"No sooner do we come into this world than bits of us start to drop off." -- Gustave Flaubert
Open sesame: the thesis statement
In preparing to formulate a thesis statement, think of it as the magic words or handle which enables first you, and then your readers, to open the door to your argument. What you assert or claim in your thesis statement establishes the place or position from which your readers will enter all the rooms of your thought on the topic you have chosen.
Your topic possesses, theoretically, an infinity of doors, any one of which you and your readers could pass through in your exploration of it.
But since it is impossible to pass through more than one at any single time, you must commit to a particular door when faced with a specific writing occasion. If the door to the passageway or path you intend to take in your essay is not clear to your readers, they may wander off in some other direction, on some other purpose than the one you have in mind. For this reason, in order to be able to start on the journey to discovery, reflection, and growth leading to knowledge--especially, self-knowledge--devote some, in the popular idiom, 'quality' time to your thesis. And remember, your tone and overall approach to the topic and your readers will have a great deal of influence on whether or not they will want to fully open the door to your paper and, thus, be open to exploring the interior of your argument (where your consciousness is "housed") which, at least in the beginning, is or seems so different, strange, foreign to their own.
In the early stages, you will be endeavoring to find the language (specific terms) for your emerging perspective (position or stand) on a particular part or aspect of your chosen topic. This will be your working thesis. Be patient, as it frequently takes time for your thinking to fully emerge and your initial seemingly separate but, eventually, related thoughts to come together and achieve coherent form. One of the assumptions that can act as a barrier to achieving a useful working thesis is the idea that we readily know what it is we really think and believe. It is not unusual for writers to have to tease out from deeper layers of their minds what "matters" to them and the connections which undergird their choices. Keep in mind, as well, that you will modify your working thesis as your critical thinking develops and undergoes changes throughout the writing process until it achieves polished form as a final thesis. Not only will your final thesis spell out what matters to your so much you are driven to write about it in an essay, but what you hope it will persuade your readers it should matter to them.
Put the following questions to your thesis. Quizzing its language is the way you can both generate ideas and exercise control over how well your thesis 1) meets your needs as a writer and 2) your reader's needs.
What does your thesis name or identify as its true subject? Is this a broad, general subject couched in vague, abstract language, or do the words you use identify a particular, concrete critical difference, issue, problem, contradiction or conflict? If not, how could you reword your thesis to give it this critical edge?
Does your thesis express a particular viewpoint (position or stand) in relation to your true subject? What is it? Was your spoken answer to the previous question clearer than your written statement? If so, try rewording your thesis so that it shares that clarity.
What claim or assertion does your working thesis make? Does it go beyond a statement of fact? Beyond a viewpoint most people would not quarrel with -- that is, is it something still actively debated? Will you be able to give it strong supporting evidence in the form of facts, examples/illustrations, authoritative testimony (the opinions of experts in their fields)?
What relationship does your thesis statement clarify? That is, does it identify the 'living room' where you, your own interest in the topic, your reader and their interest, and your reasons for wanting to reach and, in some significant way, try to change your readers' minds all meet and share space: where you and they can find common ground and a shared goal in relation to the issue or problem? In fairly simple, straightforward language, has your thesis statement been able to tell your readers what it is you want them to have a heightened awareness of, or understand better, or appreciate more, or do differently?
Does the wording of your thesis show you have turned a private thought and personal motivation for writing into a public statement that appeals to your readers on two levels:
- Will it stir and engage their interest?
- Does it explicitly or implicitly elicit their recognition that, although you are trying to persuade them to change their minds, they will find in your argument a concern that links up with their concerns and experience?
In communicating your thesis, have you taken the time to provide a well-developed context or enough relevant background information to meet your readers' needs? Does your thesis signal your commitment to a line of argument and predict for your readers what that will be?
What are the key terms or parts of your thesis? Does your plan for organizing and ordering your ideas give appropriate space and play to each of them? Rereading it, do you find you have left anything out or not given it as much attention as it deserves in your essay? What would you need to add, or expand, or change? Or delete, if it turns out not to be relevant?
If you still find yourself stymied in your attempts to formulate a workable working thesis, try to put into words what seems to be standing in the way. Then make an appointment to meet with me in conference where we can revisit your struggles so far and attempt to locate the problem. That's the first step to finding a solution, and its very discovery often reveals the better "door" a writer can open for access to the foundation of her or his argument.
(Source: Claudia Baylis -- FYC Source Book, University of Notre Dame)