In class today, we talked about what a thesis statement is and how we might draft one for Project #2-Part 4. Here is our list of what a thesis statement is:

• it’s the main point
• it’s in the introduction–usually the end of the introduction
• it’s usually 1-2 sentences
• it’s a statement, not a question
  • if your draft of a thesis statement is a question, try writing the answer to the question as a new draft
• it’s an opinion, not a fact
  • that means there’s a difference between the topic and the thesis statement
• it’s supportable by using examples
  • for this project, each criterion would be a support for your thesis statement
  • also, ideas from the articles each group shared could be incorporated as support for the thesis statement
• Each introduction and each essay answers three questions:
  • what’s up?
  • how come?
  • so what?
  • (borrowed from Hildegard Holler)
  • In the introduction, the thesis statement is the “so what?”
  • the essay overall uses the thesis statement to say “what’s up?” and concludes with the “so what?” that pushes the ideas of the thesis statement to the next level
• it’s a road map of the whole essay
  • that means it should give a sense of what readers can expect to find in the essay and in what order
• it’s something you draft and work on in stages
  • you might not write it first
  • you can come back and refine it
  • it should reflect the essay you complete
  • you can change it if your work goes in a new direction
    • BUT, make sure your essay overall and the thesis statement fit the assignment requirements

Here were two drafts that we might think about:

These monuments must not represent hate in any form, so we must consider removing any that no longer represent A, B, and C of the majority of our community members.

(These monuments must not represent hate in any form, so we must consider removing any that no longer represent beliefs, values, and ethics of the majority of our community members.)

Although these monuments were relevant when erected, we need to evaluate them based on our current sense of X, Y, and Z of our community members.

(Although these monuments were relevant when erected, we need to evaluate them based on our current sense of racial justice, inclusiveness, and positive contribution of our community members.)

Please add your thesis statement draft in a comment, and check back to offer critiques of your classmates’ thesis statement drafts.