Writing a Thesis

Learn how to write a Paper One Thesis Statement!

Read the whole extract and understand the implications.

Highlight and analyze.

What is the text talking about?
What are the themes of this extract?
What is the goal of the author?

​1. The Extract

Step 1. Identify what the text is about.

Step 2. Identify what the author is arguing about.

​2. The Analysis

Run through your analysis, what is your interpretation of the text?

What do you think the author is trying to convey?

(Remember, there are no wrong ideas! Only thing that matters is how well you can explain them!)

Step 3. Acknowledge the question.

​Break down the given question.

What is it asking for?

After understanding the question, link it to your analysis and formulate an idea for your thesis!

​Let's Use Billy Bryson's 'African Diary' as an example:

Question: How does the writer’s tone and use of words reveal his values and beliefs?

I'll look for tone and use of words, and values and beliefs.




See the following slides for my example.

Bill Bryson demonstrates values of empathy, social awareness, and a commitment to understanding societal issues. His writing reflects a deep concern for the experiences of marginalized communities, particularly in his depiction of life in Kibera. This focus on human suffering underscores his advocacy for social justice.

What are the values of the author?

What are the beliefs of the author?

Bryson believes in the importance of recognizing systemic inequalities and confronting the uncomfortable realities of socio-economic disparities. His critique of the government’s neglect of slum conditions indicates that he views awareness as essential for driving meaningful change, emphasizing the need for both recognition and action to address social injustices.

The tone that Bryson employs is reflective and often carries a sense of melancholy, balancing curiosity with the harsh realities of life in Kibera. This tone invites readers to consider the stark contrasts between the experiences of Kibera’s residents and those of more privileged individuals. By blending humor with serious observations, he adds depth to his narrative, enhancing the emotional impact of his insights.

What tone is the author using to convey his values and beliefs?

What choice of words is the author using to convey these values and beliefs?

Bryson’s word choices are vivid and descriptive, effectively conveying the challenging conditions in Kibera. Phrases like "a random, seemingly endless warren" and "frail, dirt-floored hovels" illustrate the instability of life in the slum. The contrast between everyday details and harsh realities—such as the high cost of water—highlights the struggles faced by residents. Additionally, describing Jenny Matthews as “fearless” and “indestructible” shows Bryson’s admiration for those who risk their safety to expose social injustices.

Now that I answered those questions, what do I do?

Compile a short 2-3 sentences answering the question, serving as an introduction to the whole extract itself.

See the following slide for a demonstration.

Thesis Statement

In the 'African Diary' diary entry, Bill Bryson’s reflective and poignant tone, coupled with his vivid and descriptive word choices, reveals his values of empathy and social awareness, as well as his belief in the importance of acknowledging systemic inequalities.

1. Empathy

2. Social Awareness

3. Importance of Acknowledging Systemic Inequality

​Using Example:

1. Can I identify rich ideas in my thesis statement? (Have at least 3 rich ideas)

Remember the checklist:

You can talk about how his reflective and poignant tone reflects his values and beliefs, as well as how his vivid and descriptive word choices also reflect it.

​Using Example:

2. To what extent are these rich ideas able to present topic sentences in main body paragraphs?

Remember the checklist:

You could write a whole three body paragraphs answering the question using this argument.

​Using Example:

3. To what extent can the argument from the thesis statement be developed throughout the body paragraphs?

Remember the checklist:

Your Turn, Let's Put this into Practice!

How are conventional elements of cartooning (such as caricature) used to skewer the writer’s targets in these two cartoons?

-By Kal Kallaugher for The Baltimore Sun, 2015

Open Ended

Step 1. Identify what the text is about.

Open Ended

Step 2. Identify what the author is arguing about.

Draw

Step 3. Acknowledge the Question.

Let's break the question down!

Highlight key parts of the question that are most important to answer in your thesis!

You should be looking for:

1. Conventional Elements of Cartooning

2. How the writers targets are skewered.

Open Ended

What are some elements of cartooning that you know? (Disregard the extract for now)

​If you struggled with the previous task, review cartoon features... ASAP

Match

Let's Review Cartoon Features

• Cartoonists often exaggerate the facial features of political figures as a comment on the person’s character.

• Perhaps a better name for 'political' cartoons would be '___ cartoons', as they comment critically on current affairs, recent events, political leaders and the news.

• Many political cartoons highlight the ___ of a particular situation. ___ is when one means the opposite of what one says. Situational ___ occurs when one’s actions have the opposite of the intended effect

• Cartoons often use ___ and ___ to help readers understand their message and use of symbolism.

Caricature

Topical

Irony

Labelling/Captioning

• Caricature

• Topical

• Irony

• Labelling/Captioning

Match

Continuing - Let's Review Cartoon Features

• ____ ____ refers to the use of dark and light shades to capture the reader's attention, focus on an object or create negative space. 

• ____ ____ are a form of direct narration, where the reader reads what characters say, word for word. ____ ____, often depicted with cloud-like bubbles, give readers insight into what people are thinking.

• Political cartoons must succinctly communicate abstract ideas through concrete objects. ___ and ___ do this effectively.

Graphic Weight

Speech/Thought Bubbles

Symbols/Icons

• Graphic Weight

• Speech/Thought Bubbles

• Symbols/Icons

Open Ended

How was the target's (Obama) image skewered in the first cartoon? (Use the cartoon features to discuss this)

Open Ended

How was the target's (policeman) image skewered in the second image? (Use the cartoon features to discuss this)

Open Ended

List down three rich ideas, using your points from the previous tw

Open Ended

Great! You've got everything you need to formulate a proper thesis statement. Let's put it together! Try making a thesis statement.

Poll

With your thesis statement in mind, do you think your rich ideas can make topic sentences?

• Yes

• No

If you said "no", re-do your thesis statement.

Poll

With your thesis statement in mind, do you think you can use the argument to make body paragraphs?

• Yes

• No

If you said "no", re-do your thesis statement.

Constantly practice these steps and... Perfecto!