Your thesis should: Answer a question Example: What is the relationship between exploitation and social justice in Steinbeck’s In Dubious Battle and Atwood’s Oryx and Crake? In their struggle against the Capitalist realms in which they live, the protagonists of both novels end up physically and psychologically exploiting others as a function of their own self-hatred and limited understanding of human nature which ultimately impedes social justice. Take a unique stance Example: Emma chooses fantasy in lieu of reality which leads to her self-destruction while Jeanette finds her sexual (and overall) identity through the amalgam of fantasy and reality. Act as a “road map” for your essay Example: The great depression impacted Americans economically, socially, and psychologically. The first part of your essay should focus on how Americans were affected economically, the second part will discuss the social ramifications, and the last part will cover the psychological effects. Types of thesis statements: Explanatory An essay in which you explain something factual to an audience. Example: The Patriot army went to war against the British army in the Revolutionary War because of concerns over issues of taxes, land, and independence. Analytical Breaks down something (like a text) to examine and understand it in a particular way. Example: O’Connor instills Tarwater with psychological violence in the form of an identity crisis in order to promote acts of purging through physical violence, ultimately leading to acceptance and the formation of a self identity. Argumentative Makes a claim that is debatable. This can come in the form of an opinion, a proposal, a cause-and-effect statement, or a particular interpretation. The goal of an argumentative paper is to convince the reader that your claim is legitimate based on the evidence provided in your paper. Example: The death penalty should be abolished due to social, economic, and ethical reasons. To ensure a strong thesis (and overall essay), ask yourself the following questions: Have I answered the question or prompt? Is my thesis readable (or is it too wordy)? Have I taken a position that others might challenge or oppose? Is my thesis statement specific enough? Does my essay specifically support my thesis (without tangents)? Have I convinced the reader that this topic is worthy of examination or discussion? Does my thesis act as a guide for my essay?