T1 - University Library - University of Saskatchewan

Some Caveats about a thesis:
1. It is never a question. Questions do not present arguments which are of the essence.
2. It is never a list. Lists lack controversy or tension and are not arguments.
3. It is never vague, combative or confrontational. A statement that “Video games are evil to
children” lacks argument and may suffer due to a poor definition of evil, to being
regarded as moralistic or judgmental, and to inciting a defensive reaction.
4. It has a definite, defensible, arguable claim. One variable in child development plays a
more important role than does another one. Your reader is likely to want to know why?
5. It should be as clear and as specific as possible. Over used and general terms like “due to”
are not likely to be clear or specific.
Examples of a process for moving toward a thesis statement:
Example 1: Title: Impact of Father Absence on Child Development
Statement of Fact: In today's society, 40-50% of children grow up without the advantage
of a continuous father.
Announcement of purpose: I intend to show how father absence affects both male and
female children. I intend to form your believe that father absence is a serious detriment to
children.
Thesis: Research marks serious deficits in children which are traceable to the absence of
a continuous father during critical childhood years. For girls, the deficit is relating to
males in only the singular dimension of "cuteness." For boys, the deficit is inadequate
development of leadership skills.
Example 2: Title: Music videos and Childhood Depression
Statement of Fact: Music videos are readily available to all children.
Announcement: What follows is an argument that the music videos have become such
an important part of our culture that they control children's mood states and therefore
have the potential to both cause and alleviate childhood depression.
Thesis: Music videos supply ready made identities for children who suffer negative selfimage,
negative self-esteem and negative experiences about their role in society which
either exacerbates or alleviates depression depending on the type and amount viewed.
Example 3: Title: Intelligence Tests and Educational Placement.
Statement of Fact: Intelligence tests are used extensively in classrooms to determine
educational opportunity.
Announcement: The arguments that follow will show that intelligence tests are too
inaccurate and therefore should not advance privilege in a multi-cultural society. They,
therefore, can lead to huge errors in judgement about the use of educational resources.
Thesis: Intelligence test scores are inaccurate representations of a child's overall
intelligence in that they are not sufficiently sensitive to children's socio-economic or
cultural background and in that they do not measure a child's intelligence beyond the
academic context.
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