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Chapter 33: THESIS WORKSHEET
FOR ORGANIZING A
THESIS
What is a simple, step-by-step way to start a
thesis?
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This short chapter offers a thesis worksheet that can help
you get started on a thesis paper. Directions: Print it to write on
it, or copy this column to a Word document to type on it.
This thesis worksheet also is something
you can show to your instructor or a writing tutor if you seek help in
developing your ideas or if you must turn in a beginning rough draft or outline.
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THESIS WORKSHEET
Use this worksheet to help you
develop your own thesis sentence and reasons why it is true. You may print
it out. You also can copy this middle column and paste it to an MS Word
document so that you can write in it. For a much more thorough and
developed chapter about how to write a thesis paper, see
"Writing a Thesis Paper."
1. State your specific subject, questions, or areas
of interest from which you will choose:
2. Write two entirely opposing arguments about
something from "1" above in the two boxes here. Be sure to make them
strongly opposite each other. This means do not choose a middle position
for one of them. In other words, do not take either of these
two positions:
Extreme Left
Middle Ground
Extreme Right
Arg. A. <---------------------------------| Arg. B
Arg. A.
|---------------------------------> Arg. B
Instead, do this:
Arg. A.
<<--------------------------------------------------------------------->>
Arg. B
Make sure you choose the two extremes of the
possible arguments. For example, don't write, "Some wars are good; some
are bad." Instead create the extremes: for example, "Constant war is
needed for the growth of all nations" vs. "All war should be outlawed."
(If you really prefer some kind of middle ground, wait until step "3" below.)
Place your two very opposite arguments in the boxes
here:
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A. Some would argue that |
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B. Others would argue the opposite, that
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3. Now, write a compromise or higher position in
this next box. How do you make a compromise? You find any middle
point between the two strong opposites, above, that is a true compromise between
the two--not just a weak acceptance of one side or the other:
Arg. A
<<-------------------------------| Arg. C
|------------------------------->>
Arg. B
If you need
to rewrite/revise the two arguments in your two boxes above so that they are more opposite, do so now. Then
write your compromise.
How do you take a "higher position"? Imagine
that there is a third way that neither of the two opposing groups, above, can
see:
Arg. C
Arg. A
<<--------------------------------------------------------------------------->>
Arg. B
For example, if two opposing positions are that "War
is good" and "War is bad," a higher position might be that with more scientific
advances, someday war will not be necessary.
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C. or D. However, a third group might argue that
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4. Now, circle your choice—choose just one of
these three positions from the three boxes above and circle it.
5. Then narrow it as much as possible: make it more
specific, smaller, more limited, dealing with one small time, place, event,
sub-issue, or sub-part. The idea is to limit it to something about which
you can write a short paper (rather than a too-long paper or a book!).
However, be sure not to narrow it so much that you can't find enough good
sources. (If this happens, then later you may need to broaden it a little,
again.) If you have doubts about any of this narrowing/broadening process,
get help from your instructor or a writing center tutor.
Write your new version of your single argument here,
preferably in just one or at most two sentences:
6. Next, state at least six possible reasons why this argument
is true. Fill in all six, even if you have to creatively make up
some reasons (so you can expand your possibilities). You must finish
each sentence below grammatically—sensibly (to double check that the reason
really does support the thesis sentence.) Use the backside of this sheet if
necessary.
a. One possible reason this position is true is that
b. Another possible reason it is true is that
c. Another possible reason it is true is that
d. Another possible reason it is true is that
e. Another possible reason it is true is that
f. Another possible reason it is true is that
7. Finally, circle your 3-4 best choices: choose just 3-4 of the above
reasons (or combine what you have into just 3-4). If you are writing a
research paper, in general you should choose the reasons for which you are able
to supply the best proof from research. If you are writing a personal
experience thesis, then you should choose the reasons for which you have the
most logical and most compelling personal-experience stories.
8. Repeat this pattern, "1"-"7,"
if needed until you find a
thesis sentence and reasons that work well.
9. Then, if you need to show your work to a tutor or
instructor, write your results below:
A. (Write your main thesis
sentence here in just one sentence:)
B. Write your reason
#1 sentence as a complete sentence here: The first reason my thesis is true
is that
C.
Write your reason #2 sentence here:
The second reason my thesis is true is that
D.
Write your reason #3 sentence here:
The third reason my thesis is
true is that
(E. if you have a
reason #4:) The fourth reason my thesis is ture is
that
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