Develop a Working Thesis

Made up of two parts: Argument + Evidence

1. Argument: assert your point

• Make a statement that matters
• Do not simply state a fact; it must be arguable

                         Not arguable: Calypso is stuck on an island
                         Arguable: Calypso is self-sacrificial

2. Evidence: how you will prove your Argument

• Reasons and/or examples from the text that you will use to prove your argument to be true
• Three pieces of evidence (one for each body paragraph)
• State the evidence with as few words as possible
• Use parallel structure

Example: 
     Argument 
          Calypso is actively self-sacrificial

     Evidence 
          1. She takes care of Odysseus. 
          2. She heeds Zeus's request. 
          3. She helps Odysseus leave

Complete thesis: Calypso is actively self-sacrificial when she takes care of Odysseus, heeds Zeus's request, and helps Odysseus leave.



Notes: 

1. Identifies the main idea you will defend as true throughout your essay (contains your entire argument)
2. Must be one sentence (no longer; use as few words as possible to convey your point)
3. Must be the last sentence of your intro paragraph
4. Must be specific and defendable

Resources

Click Here to practice identifying a strong thesis with more examples. 

See thesis statements in intro paragraphs 

OWL Advice

Is it a STRONG Thesis? 

Shmoop video