A defensible thesis

1. Crafting a defensible thesis Or How the BLEEP am I going to write this BLEEPIN’ essay?

2. What is a thesis? A thesis statement is the basic idea or opinion that you (the writer) are trying to prove to the reader. The thesis statement in an essay is the ONLY place you get to state your opinions. A good thesis statement is one that you (the writer) can prove to be true through researched evidence in the form of quotes, summaries, study results and documented examples.

3. Key elements of a good thesis A good thesis is a complete sentence. A good thesis is a statement, not a question (or an exclamation!) A good thesis gives the opinion of the writer, not just a repetition of the topic. A good thesis contains sub-points that correspond to paragraphs (or sections) of the essay.

4. Complete sentences WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING IS A COMPLETE SENTENCE? Luke Skywalker’s abandonment issues. In The Empire Strikes Back , it’s something about the fact of not having a real father. Luke struggles to come to terms with his feelings of inadequacy. Darth Vader in the death star like an overbearing father.

5. WHY CAN’T IT BE A QUESTION? The task of an essay is to prove your thesis statement. A statement can be either true or false. A question is neither true nor false. Therefore, you cannot prove your thesis statement if it is a question.

6. You have an opinion! And if you don’t you should make one up. The Empire Strikes Back , the sequel to A New Hope, is the movie in which Luke finds out that Darth Vader is his father. Vs. The discovery that Darth Vader is his father in The Empire Strikes Back is the point in which Luke becomes a true master.

7. Sub-Points: Your reader’s road map to your essay. When Luke learns that Darth Vader is his father he becomes a true master Jedi, since he can no longer rely on Obi-Wan, he must abandon his role as a son, and he must face Vader not with skill, but with firm convictions of what is good.