movie analysis

Thesis Statement Worksheet

Used in FAMST 46: Introduction to Film

Fall 2014

If you have a good thesis, you should be able to answer “yes” to each of these

questions:

1) Could someone else successfully disagree with my argument? EX> Don’t say,

“The NBC show Friends deals with women and men living in the city.”

This is evident, and thus, not a good thesis.

2) Am I naming the exact people, places, and things I’m arguing about in the

thesis itself? EX> Don’t say, “The program champions certain values over

others.”

A more specific (though still imperfect) thesis would say, “The NBC show

Friends champions heteronormative values through its obsession with romantic partnerships and eventual marriage.”

3) Am I addressing one complex but ultimately cohesive topic? EX> Don’t say,

“The program explores issues of racism, sexism, homophobia, elitism, and

nationalism.”

That’s 4-5 different papers rolled into one. Instead, choose one primary topic, and

then think of how a few subtopics RELATE to the main one.

4) Does my thesis give my readers a reason to care about this paper? In other

words, does it answer the “so what?” question? EX> Don’t say, “The NBC

program Friends shows the different kinds of romantic relationships between the

characters Ross and Rachel.”

Why is this important?

Instead say, “The NBC show Friends displays an obsession with romantic

partnerships, championing heteronormative relations to the detriment of its female

characters; this is best showcased in the season finale, where Rachel throws away

her dream of working in Paris so that she can permanently be with Ross.”