Operating Definitions and Guidelines for Writing

The Thesis

1. Thesis--the sentence that states the main idea of an essay.
(Essay -- a collection of paragraphs that uses the methods of development to support, develop, elaborate, and explain the idea set out in the thesis sentence.)

2. Characteristics--It is

  • expressed in a grammatically correct sentence (not a question)
  • argumentative
  • precise--key terms are relatively specific
  • unified--limited to one topic

3. Phrases that sometimes point to it:

a. The point is... b. In conclusion... c. The main idea is...

4. A thesis cannot be a:

a. title b. topic c. theme.

5. Create one by:

a. Filling in the blanks to identify the topic, the audience and the purpose:
I want to write about ___ to convince ___ because ___

b. Choose the focus--explain what you want to say about it in a sentence.

c. Sharpen the edge; add an "although" clause that clarifies and sharpens the perspective that will be taken on the topic. The words that follow the "Although" state the obvious, predictable information that most people associate with the topic as soon as it is mentioned, the conventional wisdom, the content which appears obvious to most people

d. Test it--Is there enough evidence to support it? Is it worth proving? Who needs this information?

6. When should it be written?
It can be created any time during the writing process that the writer feels capable of expressing it. Once formulated, work it into the text smoothly.

7. Where should it be located?
  • It should be inserted where it will do the most good.
  • Some teachers like to infer--for them, leave it out.
  • Other people usually look for it in the first sentence of the first paragraph, in the last sentence of the first paragraph, somewhere in the first paragraph, somewhere in the introduction, and/or (re)stated in the conclusion. Always include it for this class.

8. Two types that will get you through most other classes:

a. X consists of...

b. I like (or dislike) X because...

9. A thesis pattern for each method of development is prescribed in the pages on the methods of development. Watch for it.

10. When reading, one can ask some questions to discern the thesis:

a. What is the topic? b. What does the writer say about it?

Or

c. What does the writer want the reader to do or believe?

11. Follow these steps to formulate an informative thesis:

a. Reframe the option you choose so that it reads: What does looking at X (your option) show? An example discussing the ideas in Natan Sharansky's 2004 book, The Case for Democracy like this: What does looking at the examples supporting Sharansky’s argument show?

b. Answer the question: Looking at Sharansky’s examples shows that …."

c. Complete the sentence and include it as the thesis of the essay. Prewrite, write, and rewrite the essay to fulfill that statement.

The following statements follow the process above and contrast theses for different analyses of Sharansky's book.

Non-Analytical Theses (Result
in "Yes" or "No" answers. Go beyond this style.)


1. Question: Does Sharansky discuss political ideas?
Non-analytical thesis: Sharansky uses the political ideas of freedom and human dignity in making his point. [This statement fails to answer the "So what?" question effectively.]


2. Question: Does Sharansky use symbols?
Non-analytical thesis: Sharansky uses symbols in his discussion of political ideas. [This statement fails to answer the "So what?" question effectively.]

3. Question: Does Sharansky introduce the events of common life?
Non-analytical thesis: Sharansky introduces the events of common life into his book. [This statement fails to answer the "So what?" question effectively.]

Reframed to be Analytical – Design Theses Like These



1. Question: What does looking at Sharansky’s discussion of political ideas show?
Analytical Thesis: Looking at Sharansky’s political ideas shows that freedom is the only nursery in which human dignity can develop.


2. Question: What does looking at Sharansky’s use of symbols show? Analytical Thesis: Looking at Sharansky’s symbols shows that one face of an innocent man behind bars can command citizens' attention, but to spur oppressive world leaders to rethink human rights, it takes state action.

3. Question: What does looking at the common-life events in Sharansky’s book show?
Analytical thesis: Looking at the events of Sharansky's common life shows that only the person who is willing to risk losing all freedom to gain liberty is equipped to handle it.

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