When you write a paper for a graduate class,
you’ll quickly realize that the expectations
for your writing are much different than they
were in undergrad.
One of the areas in which this is particularly
obvious is the thesis statement.
This video will show you how to discern the
major components of an effective thesis statement.
So what’s the big difference between a thesis
for an undergrad paper and a thesis for a grad paper?
To put it simply, thesis statements for graduate
papers are sophisticated.
They should be arguable, specific, and able
to be supported by relevant theory.
Let’s start by looking at what it means
for a thesis to be arguable.
Here are two examples.
Which one is arguable, and which one is a
statement of fact?
Pause the video while you read over them.
When you’re ready, hit play to find out
if you’ve chosen correctly.
This thesis statement is arguable.
It states a claim 
and offers a reason for this claim
People may disagree with either the reason
for the claim, or have a different reason
to accept the claim.
The bottom example is simply a statement of
fact, offering something that really can’t
be argued or disagreed with.
In fact, it would probably be difficult to
write a paper supporting this thesis - you’d
probably run out of things to say!
Now let’s look at the second characteristic:
a thesis should be specific.
Take a look at these two examples, pause the
video as you did before, and decide which
one is specific and which one is too vague.
When you’re ready, hit play to find out
if you’re correct.
You might have been able to tell by the differences
in length, but this example is the more specific.
While more words doesn’t necessarily mean
that a thesis is specific enough, this example
goes into sufficient detail, in addition to
offering an arguable claim.
This example, however, is really vague.
What kind of limitations is it talking about?
Why is it a useful framework?
This statement needs to be developed more
before it can be effective.
Remember that graduate level work is more
rigorous than what you did in undergrad - the
expectations for specificity are likely to
be higher.
Finally, let’s take a look at the last element.
An effective thesis statement can be supported
by relevant theory, particularly when you’re
writing a case study.
Take a look at these two examples, pause the
video, and decide which one could be supported
by relevant theory.
In this case, the number of words doesn’t
really tell you anything.
This example makes
an arguable claim, which we know is important,
and that claim can be backed up by theory
relevant to the issue.
The other example basically summarizes the
organization, but doesn’t offer anything
that can be argued or supported by relevant
theory.
You don’t have to come up with a perfect
thesis before you can start researching or
writing your paper.
Oftentimes, writers start with a so-so thesis
and modify it as they conduct research and
think more about their topic.
In the first example we looked at, the statement
of fact could be turned into the more effective
claim.
Rather than starting out with a perfect thesis,
it’s important to know approximately what
you want to say in your thesis and modify
it until you have something that’s effective.
Remember that a paper is a chance for you
to engage deeply with a topic, develop your
own stance on an issue, and share that with
your reader.
A great thesis statement helps your reader
get a grasp of your position before they dive
into the body of your paper, where they’ll
find the support you’ve provided for your
thesis.
For help constructing an effective thesis statement,
ask your professor for help, or make an appointment
with the writing center.
