And then all the other questions that go with it…where does it go? What does it do? Isn’t it the same as topic sentence? Do I include it in my conclusion? Ah, the list goes on.
Well let’s try and give some insight to better understand what it is and isn’t
It is:
- An argument
- A justifiable position
- A point of view
- Something that addresses the question
- An interaction with elements of the rubric
It isn’t:
- A topic sentence
- A simple re-statement of the question
- A description
- A recount
- Something that you’ve prepared for another question that you have put in without giving consideration for the question at hand….
So, taking what it is and isn’t we can understand that a thesis is a specific response to the particular question at hand that includes elements of the rubric and is an overall position that you will sustain throughout your essay.
Given that essays don’t necessarily have a black and white approach, the most common or useful place for a thesis to be is the opening of your essay. Sometimes you may wish to open with a general statement or comment which is also fine but then your thesis will follow straight after.
When writing your thesis you want to make sure that you includes some words from the question and then molud them together with points from the rubric to come together and build an argument.
Try and keep the thesis somewhat general and avoid saying all of your themes or a recount of the text. Remember that it has to be a conceptual statement.
Then, each of your topic sentences will be an extension of the thesis that then draws on a specific theme or trope that you are exploring in that paragraph.
Check out some of our other posts where we break down each of the rubrics and show different ways of putting together a thesis.
If you still aren’t sure how you are progressing, send us a sample of your work and one of our dedicated and experienced tutors will get back to you with some practical and useful feedback.