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How to write a strong thesis statementThesis statement = Claim + Reasoning (+embedded map)A thesis statement is a single sentence that asserts a claim, and offers reasoning, while structuring and organizing the argument of the entire paper to come. It normally appears as the last sentence of the introduction. Test your thesis statement by examining it in terms of the following four qualities:Strength: On a separate paper, make a list of arguments and evidence that support your thesis. Then, make a list of objections to it. If these objections are stronger than your arguments, you should re-work your thesis.Arguability: An interesting thesis offers an insightful perspective on a sticky question that has no easy answer. Does your thesis state the obvious? If it's so obvious that nobody could fail to see it, it's probably not worth arguing. Your job is to identify a real debate that deals with a sticky subject, where the ‘sides’ may all have some truth to them. Offer all the ‘sides’ fairly, and then ‘put in your oar’ or add your own voice to the debate. For example, “pollution is bad for the environment” is not an arguable thesis because no one could reasonably disagree. “At least 25 percent of the federal budget should be spent on limiting pollution” is arguable. Another aspect of arguability is to offer a critique, not only an assessment. For example, your thesis should not be “Warren Buffet is a very intelligent man and everyone should read his writing about taxes,” which is an assessment, appropriate for a grade-school book report, not a college essay. Instead, analyze or critique something specific: “Buffet’s argument that he should pay taxes on capital gains is sound, because it is only fair that the wealthiest pay their share.” Specificity: Is it too vague? For example, the statement "Nowadays our generation spends too much time on social media" is too vague because your reader can't be sure what you mean by "nowadays" or “our generation.” Be specific: “18-25 year olds in Canada would experience increased happiness and lowered depression rates were they to spend less time on devices and more with friends and family.”Manageability: Can you handle the topic within the space provided? Even a strong and specific topic may just be too big for a 500 word essay, and you may need to cut some good material out and keep it for another project, another time. For example: a thesis “Film adaptations of Hamlet successfully depict him as a son of a wealthy corporate CEO, as a drug-addicted teenager in a contemporary urban setting, and as a queer 1980s street punk, each of which offer something new to the classic character, and yet perhaps the most bizarre Hamlet yet is Benedict Cumberbatch in the 2015 attempt at a stage rendition of the play.” Consider whether you will be able to thoroughly discuss and compare all of these different films in a 750-word essay. Narrow your scope!Example: Higher taxes on cigarettes adversely affect not only nicotine addicts but their families as well, because higher cigarette prices force addicts to choose between combating their addiction, or taking money from other areas of the family budget to continue to support their addiction at its existing level.In this example, the reader will expect the writer to first address the adverse effects on the addict and the family if the addict chooses to “cut back” or quit altogether, and then address the impact if the addict chooses to reallocate the family income instead. In other words, the essay map provides the reader with a map of the route the essay will travel.Workshop: Write your thesis statement, and match it to your outline’s topic sentences. As your ideas for the structure (topic sentences) change, change your thesis statement to match. Examine sentence structure: are there words you can trim to make the thesis statement tighter? Can you improve the syntax? Does it make sense, and does it really say what you want to say? If you run out of ideas: brainstorm and/or freewrite to warm up your thoughts!Introduction: hook, context, thesis. Thesis statement: Higher taxes on cigarettes adversely affect not only nicotine addicts but their families as well, because higher cigarette prices force addicts to choose between combating their addiction, or taking money from other areas of the family budget to continue to support their addiction at its existing level.Body Paragraph One Topic: Higher taxes on cigarettes adversely affect nicotine addicts, of course. EE EE EE EE Transition (a little mini-recap of topic sentence, and a subtle cue to keep the reader’s interest)Topic Two: However, Nicotine addicts are not the only ones affected. Higher taxes on cigarettes affect families as well. EE EE EE EE TransitionTopic Three: The choices addicts face are tough: smokers may struggle to combat their addiction. EE EE EE EE TransitionTopic Four: If they are unable to combat their addiction, they may struggle in a different way, because they need to take money from other areas of the family budget. EE EE EE EE TransitionConclusion paragraph: recap, food for thought (stay focused!) ................
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