Term Paper 2
Truong Van Anh
HUFLIT

SUMMARY OF TERM PAPER 1

The topic must:
+ be broad/narrow enough
+ be interesting and important
+ be researchable
+ have a point

Unit 2: Thesis Statement
The thesis statement tells your reader what to expect: it is a
restricted, precisely worded declarative sentence that states
the purpose of your essay -- the point you are trying to
make. Without a carefully conceived thesis, an essay has no
chance of success.
A thesis statement for a paper functions like the topic
sentence of a paragraph: it tells the readers the main ideas
of the paper. However, while a topic sentence of a paragraph
is often the first sentence, the thesis statement of a paper is
usually the final sentence of the introduction.

The thesis statement is the spine of the essay, the idea that
you will go on to defend in the paragraphs that follow. Serve
it up half-baked and the remainder of the paper is bound to
be flavorless. Construct a thesis that your research has
proven is interesting to you – that way, backing it up will not
be such a bore. Once you are satisfied that your topic is
sound and clarified, proceed to writing your first draft.

Types of Thesis Statements
There are various forms that a thesis statement can take, depending
on the author's objectives. The most common types of thesis
statements are outlined below:
Expository – An expository thesis statement explains an issue or a
topic to the reader. Furthermore, this type of thesis statement lists
key aspects of the topic to be discussed in the essay or research
paper.
Example: Factors that increase the likelihood of childhood anxiety
include peer pressure, genetics, and higher intelligence levels.

Topic
Key aspects of the topic to be
discussed

childhood anxiety
peer pressure, parental
education, and higher
intelligence levels

Analytical – An analytical thesis statement is used for essays, research
papers, and other pieces of writing that seek to analyze, interpret, or
evaluate a topic's various aspects. Analytical thesis statements
typically map out key points of the analysis and include the resulting
conclusions (McCombes, 2020).
Example: An analysis of alternatives to traditional fossil fuel energies
indicates that solar and hydroelectric power are the best options
today.

Specific aspect analyzed
Topic
Conclusion

alternatives to fossil fuel energy
fossil fuel energy
solar and hydroelectric power
are the best options today

Argumentative – Argumentative thesis statements indicate a topic as
well as the author's specific position on the topic. These statements
also indicate why the author has chosen to take the said stand. Such
thesis statements are typically used to persuade readers.
Example: The result of the Brexit referendum was driven by Britons'
worries with existing EU immigration policies, caused by the quickly
growing immigrant population and the insufficient integration of
immigrants into British society.

Topic
Position
Reasons for the position

the result of the Brexit
referendum
driven by Britons' worries with
existing EU immigration policies
quickly growing immigrant
population, the insufficient
integration of immigrants into
British society

The Importance of the Thesis Statement
Firstly, the thesis statement establishes the purpose of a paper and
sets up the author's primary argument. This means that the thesis
statement helps readers set expectations for the statements and
supporting research to follow in the paper (McCombes, 2020).
Secondly, by expressly stating the purpose of an essay or research
paper, the thesis also helps authors keep their writing focused. By
identifying a clear research statement, authors and researchers can
more easily organize and develop their arguments.
Lastly, the thesis statement guides the reader through the main
argument in a piece of writing. These sentences identify
relationships between the pieces of evidence or research that
support your argument. (Developing a Thesis Statement, n.d.)

Steps to Developing a Thesis Statement
Developing a thesis statement is a process that should not be taken
lightly, as it is often the result of a lengthy thinking process (Gafarova,
2018). Before the thesis message is formulated, extensive research
must be done and evidence supporting the argument or analysis must
be collected.
The steps to developing a thesis statement are outlined below:
1. Start with a research question.
A common starting point for developing a thesis statement is with the
research question. Once you determine what your research question
is, you can start doing more targeted research to help with
constructing a thesis statement.

For instance, using one of the research question examples earlier
stated, a research question would be, “What are the factors that
have resulted in the Brexit referendum?” Having a specific research
question in mind can help researchers formulate a strong, sound
thesis statement to address this question.
2. Construct a statement that directly addresses the research
question.
Once the research question has been identified, preliminary research
on the topic can begin. The research should help you construct a
tentative thesis statement. At this stage, researchers will most likely
have only a simple thesis statement. This rough draft of the thesis
statement can serve as a tool for planning and guiding the research
and writing process (Developing a Thesis Statement, n.d.).

If your writing is expected to take a position on the issue addressed
in your research question, the tentative thesis statement should
expressly indicate your stand as well. For instance, based on the
example stated above, a working argumentative example of a thesis
statement would be:
“Brexit was driven by Britons' immigration worries.”
3. Support your statement with evidence and reasoning.
At this stage, the research process begins in earnest. The thesis
statement serves as a guide and a starting point for the research
process. Researchers can use existing research literature to gather
the information they need to support their statement or argument.

Throughout the research process, as they discover supporting
evidence and facts for their thesis, researchers can also further
develop and refine their tentative thesis statement. The final thesis
statement should include the key points of your argument, along
with your conclusion, if needed. To help you with this, feel free to
check
out
this
guide
on 
how to write a conclusion for a research paper.
Based on the example above, the final version of the thesis
statement would be:
“The Brexit referendum was a result of Britons' growing concerns
with the EU's immigration policies, caused by the sudden growth of
the immigrant population and this population's insufficient
integration into British society.”

4. Anticipate counterarguments.
This step can prove to be useful if you're using an argumentative
thesis statement. Anticipating potential counter-arguments to your
research will help you further refine your thesis statement. Aside
from adding a level of complexity to your thesis statement, these
counter-arguments also help you develop your key arguments to
make them stronger.
The exercise of coming up with counterarguments to your thesis
statement also helps you determine the validity of your thesis
statement. If your thesis statement doesn't have a counterargument, it may be a fact or an opinion, and it may need to be
revised (Rodburg, 1999)

What makes a strong thesis statement?
1. A strong thesis statement is original and novel.
2. A strong thesis statement is clear and specific.
3. A strong thesis statement is contentious.
Examples of Weak and Strong Thesis Statements

Weak thesis statements
There are various factors that encouraged the spread of the locavore
movement in the United States.
Strong thesis statements
While the locavore movement promotes global ecology, the health
benefits of a locavore diet played a key role in the locavore
movement's increasing popularity in the United States.
Explanation
The strong thesis statement makes a definite, arguable claim: that
the health benefits of the locavore diet played a more important role
in the spread of the locavore movement, compared to the
movement's ability to promote global ecology.

Weak thesis statements
There are negative and positive aspects of using nuclear energy as a
primary alternative to fossil fuels.
Strong thesis statements
Because nuclear energy produces radioactive waste and the
potentially disastrous effects of nuclear reactor accidents, nuclear
energy is too dangerous to be considered the primary alternative to
fossil fuels.
Explanation
The second thesis statement is considered a strong thesis statement
because it indicates the author's stand on the issue of the use of
nuclear energy. The phrase "negative and positive aspects" is also
too vague.

Weak thesis statements
Developing countries should focus on several key areas to control the
spread of COVID-19.
Strong thesis statements
An analysis of first-world countries' response to the COVID-19
pandemic sheds light on three key areas that developing areas should
focus on in their pandemic response efforts: proper data and
information management, a greater use of local resources, and the
establishment of institutions for disaster and risk management.
Explanation
An example of an expository thesis statement, this strong thesis
statement summarizes the main points that will be discussed in the
study. The thesis statement also neatly lays out different categories of
information that readers can expect to see in the study or paper.

A thesis statement for an expository paper tells the main
topic and then usually the major areas that will be discussed:
Sugar, pineapple, and coffee are the major exports of the
state of Hawaii.
We know from this that the essay will discuss the effects on
Hawaii's economy of sugar, pineapple, and coffee.
A thesis statement for a persuasive paper tells the author's
opinion:
Europeans need to consume less refined sugar.

From this we know that the paper will contain reasons to eat
less sugar.
A stronger persuasive thesis statement is one that gives the
writer's opinion and also indicates the major areas that will
be discussed.
Overconsumption of sugar by Europeans leads to weight
gain, disease, and early death.
Now we know specifically which three reasons to eat less
sugar will be explored in the paper.

Exercise: Choose your topic and write a possible thesis
statement for it.

Good luck!