Creating a thesis statement

Definition

• Informs the reader what the essay will be about.

• Thesis statement = Topic plus Opinion• Remember: you can share your opinion

without saying “I” or “the reader”

Basic Formula – Three prong

• Transition + subject + opinion + points 1, 2, and 3

• However, Sinclair Ross successfully develops the women’s characters through his description of prairie life, the harsh realities of their marriages and the experiences they have.

But what if you want more than 5 paragraphs?

• You can still use the three prong formula, but have more than one paragraph per point.

• Generally, you wouldn’t make a four prong statement – you would make a larger statement instead.

• Sinclair Ross creates realistic portraits of prairie women in his short stories.

Other formulas

• In (title of work), (author) (illustrates, shows) (aspect) (adjective).

• In The Snow Walker, Charles Martin Smith shows the characters Charlie and Kanalaaq struggling for their identity.

• In (title of work), (author) uses (one aspect) to (define, strengthen, illustrate) the (element of work).

• In “The Painted Door,” Sinclair Ross uses the prairie environment to strengthen the plot.

• In (title of work), (author) uses (an important part of work) as a unifying device for (one element), (another element), and (another element).

• In “The Lamp at Noon,” Sinclair Ross uses the prairie as a unifying device for setting, structure and theme.

• (Author) develops the character of (character’s name) in (literary work) through what he/she does, what he/she says, what other people say to or about him/her.

• Smith Martin develops the character of Charlie in The Snow Walker through his actions, his words and the behaviours of the fellow pilots.

• In (title of work), (author) uses (literary device) to (accomplish, develop, illustrate, strengthen) (element of work).

• In “The Painted Door”, Ross uses the symbolism of the winter storm to develop the theme of isolation.

• (Author) (shows, develops, illustrates) the theme of __________ in the (play, poem, story).

• Sinclair Ross illustrates the theme of the effect of isolation in “The Lamp at Noon”.

• (Author) develops his character(s) in (title of work) through his/her use of language.

• Sinclair Ross develops his characters in “The Painted Door” through his use of figurative language.