Also make sure that in your body paragraphs, you thoroughly explain HOW an example develops your particular theme. It is NOT enough to simply quote something without a good explanation! (See example.) Bad Thesis Problem Better Version* The theme in The theme in this thesis An important theme in Puddin’head Wilson is is not a STATEMENT. A Puddin’head Wilson is prejudice. theme cannot be one that suffering from word. (Another bad prejudice will eventually version of this thesis affect a person’s self would be, is image. “Prejudice shown in many ways in Puddin’head Wilson.”) There are many themes You aren’t supposed to An important theme in in Puddin’head Wilson. write about MANY Puddin’head Wilson is themes. You are only that suffering from Or supposed to show how prejudice will eventually ONE is developed. Plus, affect a person’s self Prejudice and The Old you must include your image. South are both themes in thematic statement in Puddin’head Wilson. your thesis. In this paper, I will show Never write, this An important theme in “In how prejudice will paper, I will show…” Puddin’head Wilson is eventually affect a Don’t mention that suffering from “this person’s self-image is a paper” in the actual prejudice will eventually theme in Puddin’head paper—EVER. Also, affect a person’s self Wilson that is shown by avoid unless you are image. “I” Roxy, Tom, and writing about personal Chambers. experience, which you shouldn’t do in this case. Just SAY what you think! Based on the GOOD thesis above, each topic sentence would mention the theme (your key words) and then a specific character or event that developed it. For example: One character self-image suffered due to prejudice is Roxy. You body paragraph then would include summaries of events and quotes that would show Roxy had a poor self-image with a thorough explanation of how prejudice caused it. For example:
Also make sure that in your body paragraphs, you thoroughly explain HOW an example develops your particular theme. It is NOT enough to simply quote something without a good explanation! (See example.) Bad Thesis Problem Better Version* The theme in Puddin’head Wilson is prejudice. The theme in this thesis is not a STATEMENT. A theme cannot be one word. (Another bad version of this thesis would be, “Prejudice is shown in many ways in Puddin’head Wilson.”) An important theme in Puddin’head Wilson is that suffering from prejudice will eventually affect a person’s self image. There are many themes in Puddin’head Wilson. Or Prejudice and The Old South are both themes in Puddin’head Wilson. You aren’t supposed to write about MANY themes. You are only supposed to show how ONE is developed. Plus, you must include your thematic statement in your thesis. An important theme in Puddin’head Wilson is that suffering from prejudice will eventually affect a person’s self image. In this paper, I will show how prejudice will eventually affect a person’s self-image is a theme in Puddin’head Wilson that is shown by Roxy, Tom, and Chambers. Never write, “In this paper, I will show…” Don’t mention “this paper” in the actual paper—EVER. Also, avoid “I” unless you are writing about personal experience, which you shouldn’t do in this case. Just SAY what you think! An important theme in Puddin’head Wilson is that suffering from prejudice will eventually affect a person’s self image. Based on the GOOD thesis above, each topic sentence would mention the theme (your key words) and then a specific character or event that developed it. For example: One character self-image suffered due to prejudice is Roxy. You body paragraph then would include summaries of events and quotes that would show Roxy had a poor self-image with a thorough explanation of how prejudice caused it. For example:
theme_analysis_paper_overview.docx