Examples BAD: has an interesting setting. Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” *What’s with this thesis statement? wrong an opinion about the book, not an argument. It’s In Shirley Jackson develops a contrast between the setting and the ritual OKAY: “The Lottery,” of the lottery. *Better? How so? What is still missing? answer the What is the point of the contrast? What Doesn’t “so what?” question. does the contrast signify? In Shirley Jackson develops a contrast between the serene, rural setting GOOD: “The Lottery,” and the ritual of the lottery, suggesting a theme that readers should question their surroundings and, even more so, their traditions and beliefs. *Even better? It presents an interpretation of a literary work based on an analysis of it content and answers the question. “so what” BETTER: contrasting the serene and welcoming rural setting and the strict adherence “Through to rules during the ritual of the lottery, Shirley advocates that readers Jackon’s “The Lottery,” should question their surroundings and, even more so, their traditions and beliefs. BAD There is a lot of symbolism in “The Scarlet Ibis.” SO WHAT? WHY? OKAY: James Hurst uses symbolism in Scarlet to portray death. “The Ibis” WHY? James Hurst uses symbolism in Scarlet to show death in order to foreshadow GOOD: “The Ibis” death and teach readers the about kindness. Doodle’s BETTER: James use of symbolism in Scarlet invokes images of death in Hurst’s “The Ibis” order to ultimate end and teach readers the ultimate lesson of kindness. foreshadow Doodle’s
Examples BAD: Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” has an interesting setting. *What’s wrong with this thesis statement? It’s an opinion about the book, not an argument. OKAY: In “The Lottery,” Shirley Jackson develops a contrast between the setting and the ritual of the lottery. *Better? How so? What is still missing? Doesn’t answer the “so what?” question. What is the point of the contrast? What does the contrast signify? GOOD: In “The Lottery,” Shirley Jackson develops a contrast between the serene, rural setting and the ritual of the lottery, suggesting a theme that readers should question their surroundings and, even more so, their traditions and beliefs. *Even better? It presents an interpretation of a literary work based on an analysis of it content and answers the “so what” question. BETTER: “Through contrasting the serene and welcoming rural setting and the strict adherence to rules during the ritual of the lottery, Shirley Jackon’s “The Lottery,” advocates that readers should question their surroundings and, even more so, their traditions and beliefs. BAD There is a lot of symbolism in “The Scarlet Ibis.” SO WHAT? WHY? OKAY: James Hurst uses symbolism in “The Scarlet Ibis” to portray death. WHY? GOOD: James Hurst uses symbolism in “The Scarlet Ibis” to show death in order to foreshadow Doodle’s death and teach readers the about kindness. BETTER: James Hurst’s use of symbolism in “The Scarlet Ibis” invokes images of death in order to foreshadow Doodle’s ultimate end and teach readers the ultimate lesson of kindness.