Effective Strategies for Thesis Development

Thesis development How, why, what s important

Overview It s not easy because you re trying to come up with something new Be patient with not knowing, & not quite nailing it the first time. That s because you re pushing outside your comfort zone and what you already know. The basic question: What s at stake here? What matters to me and most people about this topic? What could people disagree about? Could be an interpretation of a book, not always moral or political questions

A couple tricks of the trade Example: Your dumb topic is McDonalds food. Your 3 part thesis: McDonalds food is cheap, fatty and full of sugar. Have you said why it matters? Arguable? What will we learn? When you have a statement that s not quite arguable, or is simply boring, try these quick fixes: Rank Rank which your topics is more important Add a Because Because statement Rank Rank which of these is most important: McDonald s food is cheap and sugary, but the high fat content is the most unhealthy part about it. Now you have something to prove and explain a high fat diet is worse than sugar. Use a Because McDonald s food is greasy and fattening, but because it is so cheap, poor people are lured into making poor health choices. Because statement to improve it

Try that with our topics With a partner: Add a because statement Or Or Rank which is most important Thesis 1: I disagree with legalizing marijuana. Thesis 2: Proposition 57 will help relive prison crowding, encourage rehabilitation of prisoners and save the state money. Thesis 3: Even if you believe some criminals should die, the death penalty can t continue.