The Thesis Statement

The Thesis Statement:

Is the most important part of your essay;
Should be introduced in the first paragraph;
Serves as the focus of your analytic

argument;
Is specific to the literary text; if your thesis
statement could apply to another text then it
is too general;

The Magic Thesis Statement Formula

Your thesis statement should address the
following three questions: WHAT, HOW,
and WHY.
What: claim about the text
How: the literary devices, concepts, themes,
criticism
Why: the significance of your idea in terms of
understanding the text as a whole (answers the
so what? questions)

Example
While initially allowing Lady Macbeth to exceed
her position in the society, Shakespeare uses
gender stereotyping to send a message
that straying from ones culturally assigned
gender expectations is dangerous and bears fatal
consequences.
What?
How?
Why?

Take the Thesis Statement Test

Thesis #1
A character analysis of Lady Macbeth reveals that she
is a complex character who adds depth to the play
Macbeth.
What?
How?
Why?

Take the Thesis Statement Test

Thesis #2
In the play Macbeth, the title character becomes
obsessed with power and kills people who stand in the
way.
What?
How?
Why?

Take the Thesis Statement Test

Thesis #3
Shakespeares Macbeth reveals that power is
dangerous when abused.
What?
How?
Why?

How to Get a Good Thesis Statement?

Use the Magic Thesis Statement as a start (but adapt
it!):
By looking at HOW(evidence to prove the claim), the
reader sees WHAT (your claim about the text), and
this is important because WHY.

How to Get a Good Thesis Statement

Start by looking at the topic

e.g. Use of symbolism in King Lear

Ask yourself what the important questions are about

the literary text youre analyzing.

e.g.

What symbols are used?

What is their meaning/significance?
What is the author implying through the use of
symbolism?

Your Turn...
Get in your book club groups
Compose a thesis statement for an essay on the

following topic:
Use of symbolism in Wuthering Heights/Things Fall
Apart/The Poisonwood Bible/The God of Small
Things
Be prepared to discuss in 15 minutes