Essay Elements / Thesis

Practice Making Tentative Thesis Statements

QUESTIONS TO DEVELOP A THESIS

1. Ask a question about your topic to see if there is a real problem to be addressed by your paper. For example, if you are working on a paper on the panda as an endangered species, you might ask a question like this: Is the panda an endangered species? The obvious answer is yes; therefore, the topic is legitimate. However, the question is still far too broad to promote the development of a thesis or a stand on the issue.

2. Next, ask a question about your topic to see what the definition of the problem is. For example, on the panda paper, you might ask: If the panda is an endangered species, what, exactly, does that mean? Or, why, exactly is that so? With this question, you are moving closer to a possible thesis.

3. Finally, ask a question about your topic that seeks to examine the consequences of the problem. For example, in the panda paper, you might ask: If the panda disappears from the face of the earth, what will be the effects on man or on the environment? Or, you might ask, if the hunting of pandas to sell them to zoos is prohibited, what will be the effects on the panda population?

There are many other types of questions you can ask about your topic. The point is, the more questions you ask, the more you will begin to examine your topic in depth and to think critically toward a thesis.

After you have asked some questions about your topic, you can begin to make some statements toward a thesis.

Several different theses could come out of the questions about the panda. For example, a writer might say: if zoos were prohibited from buying pandas for the next ten years, the panda population in the wild would increase. Or, a writer might say: contrary to popular opinion, zoos do not contribute to the endangerment of pandas; in fact, zoos provide a safe environment for the remaining pandas as well as a place for millions of people to experience the please of seeing the loveable creatures.

Following the model given above, ask some questions about your topic. Then make some statements that take a stand. Based on your subsequent research or reflection,refine these statements into a working thesis.

***SAMPLE ESSAY: FIND A THESIS***

Directions: The student essay below lacks a specific, limited, and unified thesis. Instead of making a single arguable statement about pledging a sorority, the student first describes the process of pledging; then she raises many questions about whether pledging is a good idea. The essay seems like a writer-based, exploratory draft instead of a finished reader-based product.

Help the student find a focus. Read the essay carefully, marking important parts of the argument. Then, ask some questions about the points the student is trying to make. Finally, write three different thesis statements that the student might make to provide a focus for her essay.

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SORORITY LIFE

How many of us really know what a sorority is? Before I came to college, all I knew was that it was a bunch of girls who called themselves sisters. What a big family, I thought.

     A sorority is an organization comprised of ever-changing individuals bound together by common interests and purposes. Now, how do you know if a particular group of girls has the same interests and purpose as you do? To answer this question, you first must go through the Rush process.

     To be a part of Rush, you need to pay an entrance fee of $25.00. Then your Rushing begins. First, you meet the sisters from each of the sororities. They ask questions to see if you have any "Common interests or purposes." After you have met the sisters, you will be offered invitations to come back to a function at those who think you have similar interests. Rushees should accept seven invitations on the first round of bidding, then narrow their choices to five and finally to three. You must attend all of the parties so that the sisters can make sure that everyone has something in common. Finally, the rushee chooses which sorority she wishes to pledge.

     At this point, you are no longer called a Rushee, but have moved on to being a Pledge. For this "opportunity," all of the pledges are required to pay dues of approximately $230.

     Pledging lasts about one semester. Everyone needs to attend all scheduled meetings which can last up to three hours a week and, for some sororities, it is required for all pledges to interview their sisters, about 140 girls. In the meantime, everyone needs to maintain at least a 2.0 (C) average, and for some, a 2.2 (C+).

     But don't despair--pledging is not all work and no play. There are pledge projects, formals, mixers, dance parties, and pledge retreats. These events are held to get everyone to become better acquainted. Also, pledges have an opportunity to meet the fraternity pledges and brothers.

     All of these events have a strict set of rules that need to be adhered to at all times or the pledge can be eliminated from the rushing or pledging process. For example, there are Registration and Orientation rules, Attendance Procedures, Rules of Conduct, and even a Rushee's Bill of Rights. All of these rules contradict one of the purposes of sorority life, which is to encourage individual development. How can a person be an individual with rules and guidelines restricting their every move? The other purposes are beneficial to both the sisters and the university. Sororities pride themselves on giving a sense of belonging, service to others, and social maturity.

     Once you have completed both of these procedures (rushing and pledging), you need to take both a written and an oral final to test your knowledge of the particular sorority you have chosen. If you pass, you are initiated. Newly initiated sister dues are approximately $240. If you have completed the pledge process, you are called a "Sister."

     Along with this term of endearment comes many benefits. For one, you are part of a family who love you and will watch out for you at any time and any place. For one of the my friends, it was the most thrilling experience in her life. Also, it made her feel at home in her new surroundings. During the pledge process, she had her doubts, but now she couldn't be happier with her decision.

     All of this is great for the girls who have the money to afford the dues totalling over $1,000 and who can find a sorority that will accept them. But what about the girls who can't afford it and don't clique in? My friend, Kara, said that about 600 girls rushed and approximately 40 didn't receive bids. How would a person feel if they were one of those girls? How would I feel if I were one of those girls? My sense of pride, self-esteem, and respect for myself would be totally shattered. Instead of feeling a part of a community, I would feel ostracized and isolated.

     I'm not putting down Greek life. For many, it's one of the best decisions they have made for themselves. But that's just it; you have to decide what's right for you. Is sorority life worth all the time and money required to become a sister? Do you need to feel part of a group? What type of interests do you have? Remember there are over 150 campus organization to join that are willing to accept students for who we are, not what we have ($). Can you commit enough time to both your school work and sorority life? You decide!

THIS ESSAY COULD BE DEVELOPED IN MANY DIFFERENT WAYS.
WRITE THREE DIFFERENT THESIS STATEMENTS FOR THIS ESSAY, DEPENDING ON WHICH IDEAS THE WRITER CHOOSES TO DEVELOP. FOR EXAMPLE, YOU MIGHT DEVELOP A THESIS STATEMENT AROUND THE CONFLICT BETWEEN CHOOSING TO BELONG TO AN ORGANIZATION WHICH DEMANDS MUCH OF YOUR TIME AND MONEY AND CHOOSING TO FOLLOW A MORE INDIVIDUAL PATH THROUGH THE COLLEGE EXPERIENCE.

WRITE THREE THESIS STATEMENTS BELOW.