Writing Strong Thesis Statements
by Cathleen Chambless
Basic Thesis Formula
(Insert Artist/Film Director’s name) uses _______, _______, and _______, (insert two-three different artistic/film techniques) in (insert name of “piece”) to (illustrate, convey, reveal, or another verb) (insert the main idea or purpose of the art piece or Black Mirror Episode).
You do not necessarily need to use three poetic devices, two is fine. The more in depth, the stronger the paper.
What is a Thesis Statement?
Academic essays have a topic and a central argument concerning said topic.
The topic and central argument are presented in the introduction.
At the end of the introduction, there is a statement(one to two sentences long) which captures the central argument concerning the topic.
This statement is an interpretation of the topic, not only the topic itself.
This statement is known as a thesis statement.
A thesis statement should…
Focus
Focus your ideas into one or two sentences.
Be
Be at the end of your first paragraph.
Present
Present the topic of your paper, and your position on the topic.
Set
Set the parameters of your paper by letting the reader know the focus points of your argument.
Act
Act as a blue-print for your paper: it states what you plan to argue, and how you plan to support your argument. This sets up the order in which you present support for your argument.
Strong Thesis Statements…
Avoid using vague words such as "interesting,” "negative," "exciting,” "unusual," and "difficult."
Avoid using abstract words such as "society," “values,” or “culture.”
Avoid ”announcing” the topic: “This paper will examine”
Strong Thesis Statements…
Weak Thesis
Black Mirrors comments on the possibilities of humanity’s use of technology.
Strong Thesis
In the Black Mirrors episode, “White Bear,” Brooker and Tibbets juxtapose point of view shots and pull back shots in order to equate the brutality of the protagonist’s murders with the creation of and participation with the “Justice” theme park.
Are as clear and specific as possible. They avoid general statements at all costs.
Strong Thesis Statements
Weak Thesis Statement:
Picasso’s “Guernica” shows that war is bad.
Strong Thesis Statement
Picasso’s uses the contrast between light and dark colors along with symbolism in order to protest Spain’s bombing of its own citizens during the Spanish Civil war.
Avoid making universal or pro/con judgements that simplify complex issues. Always specify and justify your reasoning.
Strong Thesis Statements…
Weak thesis
Frida Kahlo paints self portraits in order to show how she feels about herself.
Strong thesis
In the painting “Self-Portrait on the Border Line Between Mexico and the United States” Kahlo uses the self portrait mode, along with dynamism and symbolism in order to express her guilt for leaving Mexico to live in the United States; furthermore, Kahlo depicts the United States as a country sucking Mexico’s resources and culture dry.
Avoid merely reporting a fact. Go further with your ideas.
So What?
By following the aforementioned guidelines, your paper will naturally answer the “So What?” question. Your reader will see why your thesis statement is worthy of a paper.
Sources
“Developing a Thesis.” Harvard College Writing Center, Harvard University, 1999, writingcenter.fas.harvard.edu/pages/developing-thesis.
“Thesis Statements.” The Writing Center University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2018, writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/thesis-statements/.
“Writing Tips: Thesis Statement.” UI Center for Writing Studies, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 2013, www.cws.illinois.edu/workshop/writers/tips/thesis/.
Examples of thesis statements written by Cathleen Chambless MFA
Writing an Image analysis Essay
What is Analysis?
We use this method to respond to complex matters.
We separate parts to understand the whole.
Look for…
ideas that connect
significant patterns
relationships between the parts of a work
Essential Analysis Questions
What purpose does this artistic or filmic device serve?
How does the artist/director communicate his or her purpose through this device?
Why causes the specific audience reaction? Is it a plot-twist, perspective switch, the light in a photograph or painting, the brush strokes, the camera angles, etc.?
Essay Prompt
How do the Artist's or Director’s stylistic choices (brush strokes, jump-cuts, framing) contribute to the overall structure, meaning, and impact of the piece?
Essay prompt Continued
Think of your essay in the following terms:
How does the artists’ stylistic choices contribute to the overall structure, meaning, and impact of the piece?
This way you are explaining what the piece means, and HOW the meaning is achieved.
Before You Write
Choose one piece to write about.
Take notes every time you examine a piece. If you chose an episode of Black Mirrors, you should be watching it more than once, or even rewinding certain scenes. If you chose an image, look at it and write down what you are noticing. Try looking at the image at different times of the day to see how that impacts your analysis.
Notes can be stream of consciousness, just do it and save the notes.
Look up articles on the artist, the time period it was written, interviews, documentaries, etc. Always write notes when you are doing this, and the page number or time stamp for a certain scene. This way you will be organized when you go back to use evidence to support your interpretation/thesis.
Choose two to three artistic techniques you are going to discuss in your essay.
Essay Tips
Your essay must have a central idea (stated in your thesis) that governs its development.
Your essay must be organized so that every part contributes something to the reader’s understanding of the central idea.
Assume that your reader is NOT familiar with the artist.
Tell your reader what the piece is about (not what happens, but what the happenings add up to). In other words, the figurative meaning.
Write in third person objective our essay must have a central idea (stated in your thesis) that governs its development.
Your essay must be organized so that every part contributes something to the reader’s understanding of the central idea.
Assume that your reader is NOT familiar with the author or poem.
Tell your reader what the poem is about (not what happens, but what the happenings add up to).
Write in third person objective!!!
How to Organize the Paper
Introduction (Background Info and Thesis)
Body Paragraph One (First artistic device)
Body Paragraph Two (First artistic device)
Body Paragraph Three (Second artistic device)
Body Paragraph Four (Second artistic device)
Body Paragraph Three (Third artistic device)
Body Paragraph Four (Third artistic device)
Conclusion (Review of Main Points and So What? Factor)
Introduction
Brief Summary – Write three to four sentences that provide background information about your piece(What is the piece about? When was it created?). Include the title and artist/director.
Thesis statement – two-part to three-part statement that presents the topic of your essay.
You do not necessarily need to use three devices, two is fine. The more in depth, the stronger the paper.
Thesis Statement
*The thesis statement tells your reader what to expect. It is a restricted, precisely worded declarative sentence that states the purpose of your essay (the point you are trying to make).
*The thesis statement is located at the end of the introduction paragraph.
Basic Thesis Format
(Insert artists’s name) uses _______, _______, and _______, (insert two or three different artistic devices) in (insert name of “piece”) to (illustrate, convey, reveal, or another verb) (insert the main idea or purpose of the poem).
You do not necessarily need to use three poetic devices, two is fine. The more in depth, the stronger the paper.
Body Paragraph
Use a topic sentence to begin your paragraph.
Chose ONE artistic device and discuss THREE examples from the piece.
Explain how the device signifies/expresses meaning.
Body Paragraph
Topic Sentence
First Example
Supporting Quote
Commentary/Connection
Second Example
Supporting Quote
Commentary/Connection
Third Example
Supporting Quote
Commentary/Connection
Wrap Up Sentence
Conclusion
Restate your main points & Thesis.
Explain why you think the artist felt the topic discussed in the piece was important. This should be part of your thesis anyway, so this should be shown throughout the essay. This could be summarized as a final sentence that “punches.”
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