THESIS BREAKDOWN:STEPS TO A STRONG SENIOR

PROJECT THESIS

OUTLINE OF ONE-POINT THESIS

takes on a subject that has the ability to spark conversation

deals with a subject that can be adequately researched and explored

expresses one main idea

asserts your conclusions about a subject

THE STEPS

Brainstorm the topic

Narrow the topic

Take a position on the topic

Use specific language

Make an assertion based on clearly stated support

BRAINSTORM THE TOPIC

Concerned about the environment for my topic, my brainstorm may lead me to this topic:

Trees

Is this a specific, conversation-sparking subject to brainstorm?

Instead, we could go with:

Tree death

NARROW THE TOPIC

I need to narrow and specify my generalized brainstorm to:

Depletion of trees

How broad would my research pool be?

I could further narrow my topic to narrow my research pool with this:

Increased depletion of trees in the United States

TAKE A POSITION ON THE TOPIC After creating and narrowing a topic, a position needs to be

developed:

I believe the environment, like trees, needs help to live. I think it is important bc they provide oxygen, gave us paper, & they’re cool to look at.

What are a few things in that example that should not be used in a thesis for the Senior Project?

Instead, we could take a more crafty approach and say:

The environment needs drastic help if resources as vital as trees are not to be depleted in the United States.

USE SPECIFIC LANGUAGE Nit-pick the words and change them to be detailed and

stronger:

The environment needs drastic help if resources as vital as trees are not to be depleted in the United States.

Environmental protection of trees requires aggressive attention if resources as vital as trees are going to survive and thrive in the United States.

MAKE AN ASSERTION BASED ON CLEARLY STATED SUPPORT

I could still be more specific by making an assertion within a specific context…

Environmental protection of trees requires aggressive attention, namely from public domains such as schools, if resources as vital

as trees are going to survive and thrive in the United States.

I am focusing on a topic that is narrowed down to looking at the importance of environmental awareness in the U.S., specifically in schools, which I can back up with statistics and researched support.

TO REITERATE:

A well-developed thesis takes time and attention, but once created, it will move the research paper in a focused and coherent manner.

Just remember:

Brainstorm the topic Narrow the topic Take a position on the topic Use specific language Make an assertion based on clearly stated support

Any questions?

WORKS CITED

“How to Write a Thesis Statement.” Indiana University. Writing

Tutorial Services, 2014. Web. 10 Aug. 2014. <http://www.

indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/thesis_statement.shtml>.

YOUR TURN

Get out a sheet of paper and your Senior Project outline.

Write your thesis from your outline on your paper.

Using each step in the PowerPoint, edit your thesis.

Use dictionaries and thesauri to enhance and strengthen your point!

YOUR TURN

Brainstorm the topic Narrow the topic Take a position on the topic Use specific language Make an assertion based on clearly stated support