essay

English 102

McCracken

Thesis Statements for Essay #1

In Essay #1, you are ultimately making an argument—persuading your readers to see your interpretation of the story as valid and convincing. The thesis statement should make an assertion about how the author uses element #1, element #2, and (possibly) element #3 to reveal the significance of the theme.

The elements will be the elements of fiction that you choose (plot, character, setting, point of view, style, or symbolism). You don’t necessarily need to use these exact words to identify the elements. For example, instead of saying “plot,” you could be more specific by saying “an ambiguous ending.” Instead of saying “symbolism,” you could name the symbol (“the snake as a symbol”) or the kind of symbols (“Biblical references”). The final part of your thesis will identify the significance or meaning of the theme you’ve identified, something that is true in this story but also outside the confines of the story.

Examples:

1. (for an essay about John Cheever’s “Reunion”): Cheever uses first-person narration and relies heavily on dialogue to show the emotional disconnection between Charlie and his father.

2. (for an essay about Kate Chopin’s “The Story of an Hour”): Chopin features a female protagonist, nature imagery, and a surprising plot twist at the end of her story to show that the only way women can achieve total freedom is through death.

How to write your own thesis:

1. Choose the story you’re most interested in.

2. Choose a theme. Do some freewriting about the theme that might help you decide which aspects of the story are most significantly revealing that theme to you.

3. Choose the elements (or specific aspects of those elements) that you want to focus on.

4. Use this template as a way to construct your working thesis:

__(Author’s last name)__ uses (features, employs, etc.) __(element)___ and __(element)___

(add a third element if you want) to show ___(significance of theme)____________________.

Assignment: Bring a working thesis (either typed or handwritten) to class on Friday for an in-class workshop. I’ll collect the thesis statements at the beginning of class and then put you into groups so that you can read each other’s and provide feedback. Remember that your thesis will evolve as you write your essay, so what you bring on Friday will not be the final version of it. That said, please put time and thought into your working thesis so you have some solid ideas to work from.