How to Write a Thesis Statement

WHAT IS A THESIS STATEMENT?

A thesis statement is one or two sentences, usually placed at the end of your introduction that describes the main focus of your essay. A thesis statement is essential for an academic essay. In the writing process, it is the main organizing idea for your essay that helps to keep you focused and on topic. For your readers, it serves as a ‘roadmap’ for where you are going to take them with your essay.

WHAT TYPE OF ESSAY ARE YOU WRITING?

The dance investigation asks you to analyze the similarities and differences between two dance forms, therefor you are writing a compare/contrast essay.

Identify the thesis statement: When analyzing two styles of dance simultaneously, one may take notice to the prominent similarities between the styles, as well as the distinct differences between them. Both Flamenco and Tap have encountered obstacles along their paths of development, but have still managed to become increasingly popular over the years and blend with other cultures.

SUCCESSFUL THESIS SHOULD BE:

Specific: Do not make your thesis statement so general that it doesn’t mean very much. Avoid ambiguous or vague words (e.g. “thing”) and sweeping claims (e.g. ‘there are many similarities and differences).

Clear: You know what your thesis means, but will someone else? Read your thesis statement to a person sitting near you and see whether he/she knows what you’re getting at.

Unified: Do you list several points without showing their connection? A good thesis makes one strong point, not many unrelated ones.

Brief: A thesis statement should be one or two sentences in length. If it is longer than that, you are trying to say too much. You do not have to list all your up-coming arguments in your thesis statement.

Relevant: Is your thesis on topic? Does it accurately capture what you have to write about in your dance investigation?

Interesting: Will your reader want to read the rest of your essay? Do you make your argument sound important?

THESIS STATEMENTS SHOULD NOT BE:

An observation/narrow: When comparing and contrasting tap to flamenco one can see there are many similarities and differences between the two dance forms.

WRITING YOUR THESIS STATEMENT:

Step 1: Formulate a question that your essay will answer. Read your material closely, review your notes and identify questions that you already answered or ideas that you want to write about.

Example: What is the impact of individual culture on Jose Limon’s choreographic style and Mexican folk dance?

Step 2: Brainstorm and write down some general points that express your ideas about possible ways to answer your questions. Select your best answers based on your research or knowledge of your topic.

Example: Limon born in Mexico and moved to America with his family to escape the dangers of the Mexican revolution. Limon saw movement as an “expression of the human spirit” (Lewis). Portrayed real world experiences through movement of the body. Work has themes of revolution and war.

Mexican folk dance passed down through generations. Each dance is from different villages of Mexico had their own story to tell about that specific group of people. Mexican Indians danced in every aspect of the culture, it was a way of life for them. Themes of worship, war, expressing gratitude.

Step 3: Combine steps 1 & 2. Turn the question and your best answers into a combination sentence that tells the reader what your paper is about.

Example: Dance is another form of communication that allows one to express human nature, experiences and emotions through movement of the body. Cultural understanding and identity have largely influenced dancer and choreographer Jose Limon as well as Mexican Folk dance were dance is woven into everyday life. Both dance forms were impacted by their heritage preserving traditions and dance legacies for future generations.