Writing a Thesis Statement

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Writing a Thesis Statement

• Written Commentaries
• Oral Presentations

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As you take down notes and go deeper into the
research process, youll probably notice that you
are getting closer and closer to an answer to
your research question. Furthermore, youll
probably observe that some of the information
youve researched can be grouped together.
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In order for you to process with the construction
of the thesis statement, you have to construct
your research question.
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Example What are the themes governing the
novel, The House of the Spirits?
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Based on Hannahs initial research, she found
most of the information she had gathered from
various sources points useful to the fact that
there are a great number of themes that can be
shown in several ways.
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Thus, she narrowed it down to
What will be the theme governing the role of
women in society in the novel The House of the
Spirits?
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What may happen to Hannah could very well happen
to you.
You may realize that your research question
could either be narrowed, widened or rephrased.
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If this does happen, dont worry!
Consult your teacher about making the necessary
adjustments and continue with your research.
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It is imperative for you to consult your teacher
before finalizing any changes you plan to make in
the direction of your research. Otherwise, you
may end up making an adjustment that will put to
waste all your hard work.
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Now Hannah, after consulting with her teacher,
decided to phrase her research question as
What will be the theme governing the role of
women in society in the way Clara and Alba are
depicted in the novel, The House of the Spirits?
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Now that her answer to her research question is
shaping up, Hannah can formulate her thesis
statement
The important role of women in society is
clearly shown in the novel through Claras and
Albas characteristics, decisions and actions.
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THESIS STATEMENT
A thesis statement has two primary
characteristics it states or suggests the
papers main topic, and it states or implies the
order in which the ideas appear (Sorenson, 1995,
p. 14).
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FUNCTIONS
1. A thesis statement states or suggests the
papers main topic. The main topic is also called
the CONTROLLING IDEA.
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CONTROLLING IDEA
The important role of women in society is
clearly shown in the novel through Claras and
Albas characteristics, decisions and actions.
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FUNCTIONS
2. A thesis statement states or implies the
order in which the ideas appear. The supports
therefore dictate the CONTENT and ORDER of the
information in the body.
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SUPPORTS
The important role of women in society is
clearly shown in the novel through Claras and
Albas characteristics, decisions and actions.
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NOTES ON WRITING A GOOD THESIS STATEMENT
1. The controlling idea of a thesis statement
must express something meaningful.
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NOTES ON WRITING A GOOD THESIS STATEMENT
WRONG! There are three parts to the Godfather
series Godfather I, Godfather II and Godfather
III.
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NOTES ON WRITING A GOOD THESIS STATEMENT
BETTER! Each part of the Godfather series,
Godfather I, Godfather II and Godfather III,
revolutionized filmmaking in the United States.
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NOTES ON WRITING A GOOD THESIS STATEMENT
2. A thesis statement is expressed in a
declarative sentence. It is never stated as a
question.
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NOTES ON WRITING A GOOD THESIS STATEMENT
WRONG! Should abortion be illegalized?
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NOTES ON WRITING A GOOD THESIS STATEMENT
BETTER! Abortion should be illegalized because
it is unsafe and unsanitary.
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NOTES ON WRITING A GOOD THESIS STATEMENT
3. A thesis statement should not be a statement
of purpose.
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NOTES ON WRITING A GOOD THESIS STATEMENT
WRONG! This paper aims to prove that the subway
will be ineffective in easing the traffic
congestion because commuting through it is
impractical and inconvenient.
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NOTES ON WRITING A GOOD THESIS STATEMENT
BETTER! The subway will be ineffective in easing
traffic congestion because commuting through it
is impractical and inconvenient.
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NOTES ON WRITING A GOOD THESIS STATEMENT
4. A thesis statement should express divisions
in the ideas to be presented. Furthermore,
beginning research writers should include at
least two distinct supports for the controlling
idea.
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NOTES ON WRITING A GOOD THESIS STATEMENT
WRONG! Breast conservation surgery with
radiation therapy is better than modified radical
mastectomy in the treatment of women with breast
cancer.
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NOTES ON WRITING A GOOD THESIS STATEMENT
BETTER! Breast conservation surgery with
radiation therapy is better than modified radical
mastectomy in the treatment of women with breast
cancer because it is not only safer and less
intrusive, but it is also as effective as the
latter in making the patient cancer-free.
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NOTES ON WRITING A GOOD THESIS STATEMENT
5. A thesis statement should be grammatically
correct (most especially in terms of parallelism)
and formally stated.
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NOTES ON WRITING A GOOD THESIS STATEMENT
WRONG! Metrosexual men are considered extremely
influential in society today because you can see
their positive images and their tremendously
successful.
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NOTES ON WRITING A GOOD THESIS STATEMENT
BETTER! Metrosexual men are considered extremely
influential in society today because of their
positive images and tremendous success.
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Now, since you are preparing to write your thesis
statement, it would be helpful for you to know
some ways by which ideas can be discussed.
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1. Chronological Order
If the focus of your research involves some kind
of time-relationship, you ought to use the
chronological order.
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1. Chronological Order
The positive effects of creatine monohydrate as a
bodybuilding supplement can be observed in three
phases a decrease in exercise fatigue, an
increase in muscle mass and a decrease in body
fat.
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2. Order of Importance
Sorenson (1995) writes, Sometimes, the only way
to arrange a series of details is according to
relative importance. If you are giving four
reasons, put the most important reason last. It
will remain with the reader longer.
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2. Order of Importance
The 1986 revolution was brought about by the
desperate condition of the Philippine society
which was characterized by widespread poverty,
general disillusionment and prolonged suppression.
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3. Comparison-Contrast
Campbell et. Al. (1990) wrote, The pattern of
comparison-contrast presents the similarities
and/or differences between two or more persons,
places or things. A logical development by
comparison-contrast entails discussion of the
same qualities of both subjects (p. 19).
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3. Comparison-Contrast
For example, stating that Michelle Branch writes
her own music while Jennifer Lopez hails from the
Bronx does not provide a basis for comparison
contrast. The ability of both artists to write
music or the place from which both artists were
born should be instead tackled for their to be a
fair basis for comparison and contrast.
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3. Comparison-Contrast
BLOCK-WRESTLING staged, thick plots BOXING
genuine, usually one-dimensional
ALTERNATING-WRESTLING staged BOXING genuine
WRESTLING thick -plots BOXING usually
one-dimensional
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Source
Asis, A. Xavier highschool english book
series. (2006). Xavier School Philippines.