WRITING A+ PAPERS
There is no getting around it, term papers, senior papers and other big research projects can be major challenges that will take up a huge amount of your kids’ time as they get older. One of the best things you can do to help them succeed in these projects is to learn how to formulate a good thesis statement. What goes into developing a good thesis statement?
- Provability – Writers should be able to provide proof for their thesis statement. Thus, an opinion, such as Macbeth is a great play is not a valid thesis statement. However, In Macbeth, Shakespeare places more importance on the roles of men than the roles of women is a workable thesis.
- Scope – The thesis statement should be specific enough to ensure that the paper keeps its focus. Whether or not a thesis statement is specific enough depends greatly on the length of the paper. A thesis statement of The herbs that Ophelia mentions during her mad scene had meanings to the Elizabethan public that foreshadowed the rest of Hamlet might be appropriate for a five-page paper, while a statement of Hamlet’s hesitation to act is based on his immaturity might only be workable for a paper of thirty-five pages or more.
- Directness – A thesis statement should capture the essence of the paper’s argument in one sentence. It should clearly tell the reader what to expect. A thesis statement of Mercutio’s soliloquy might foretell the events later in Romeo and Juliet is not direct enough. However, Mercutio’s soliloquy foretells the tragic outcome of Romeo and Juliet is a directly stated thesis.
It is also important to keep in mind the difference between a topic and an argument. A topic is a general area to be discussed, such as women’s roles in
Romeo and Juliet. An argument takes a stand on that topic and gives reasons for that stance. An example of an argument would be that female characters are more central to
Romeo and Juliet than male characters.
Finally, make sure they understand the difference between a working thesis and a final thesis. A working thesis is a general statement that the writer starts with when writing the paper. It guides early drafts, giving direction for research and investigation. A final thesis is the statement that the writer has built up enough material to conclusively prove, and it appears in the paper's final draft.
