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Thesis Statement

This document provides guidance on writing an original thesis statement about a short story for literary analysis. It gives examples of effective thesis statements that make an argument about how an author uses specific literary elements in a story. The document instructs students to write a one sentence preliminary thesis that identifies what they will argue and how they will prove it using three points. It provides formatting and style requirements for the thesis and lists upcoming due dates including submitting a preliminary thesis and re-reading the short story multiple times.

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528 views

Thesis Statement

This document provides guidance on writing an original thesis statement about a short story for literary analysis. It gives examples of effective thesis statements that make an argument about how an author uses specific literary elements in a story. The document instructs students to write a one sentence preliminary thesis that identifies what they will argue and how they will prove it using three points. It provides formatting and style requirements for the thesis and lists upcoming due dates including submitting a preliminary thesis and re-reading the short story multiple times.

Uploaded by

api-234297383
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Directions: Write an original thesis statement about your short story.

Your purpose
is to analyze some literary element, device, and/or technique of your authors writing as
reflected in the story that you chose. Your thesis cannot be a fact. It must be an
argument, something that you can prove with evidence. It is the question that you will
explore throughout the research process and then ultimately prove in your final essay.
Sample thesis statements:

In William Faulkners A Rose for Emily, the author accurately depicts the
antebellum South through the point of view, the macabre characterization,
and the twisted events.

In A Mystery of Heroism, Stephen Crane explores the meaning of heroism


through his use of irony, conflict, and characterization.

In Kate Chopins A Pair of Silk Stockings, the character of Mrs. Sommers


illustrates the internal struggles of women in the Victorian Era.

In The Jilting of Granny Weatherall, Katherine Anne Porter portrays a


dismal response to death through her use of symbolism, point of view, and
characterization.

The Masque of the Red Death by Edgar Allan Poe creates an allegory
through its symbolic use of colors, characters, and conflicts.

Before submitting your thesis, please check, fix and /or change the following in
your preliminary thesis:

Short story title must be in quotation marks


Authors name is included (first and last, properly capitalized)
Identify: Did What? What are you arguing? What will you prove?
Identify: Why/how? (the 3 points you will explore in your body
paragraphs)
Active verbs only; no to be verbs such as is
Present Tense for all verbs
Parallel Structure
Only one sentence long

Upcoming due dates:


Preliminary thesis due either Monday, December 22nd or Tuesday, December
23rd.
Re-read your short story for Monday, December 22nd. This should be your second
read of the story.
Re-read your short story over the holiday break. This should be your third read of
the story. Highlight about 9-10 quotes in your story that you think will be helpful
in proving your thesis.

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