Building and Revising a Thesis Thesis Statement - Main Idea - Controlling Idea This color on second page indicates where you must write something A thesis statement is: 1) a topic sentence for your entire paper 2) the focus of your paper 3) a defensible claim (interpretation) of your topic Follow this equation: THESIS = TOPIC + CLAIM(positive statement, declaration) In the sample below, you see the topic, followed by a semi-colon; then a statement about the topic In August Wilson's Fences, generational trauma is a key idea; the trauma is Troy Maxson's childhood is passed down to his own son, Cory, who must struggle to break free of the cycle. Try this with your own topic In (name of work) by (author/artist's name) (your ↑ 10 In August Wilson's Fences, generational trauma is a key idea; the trauma is Troy Maxson's childhood is passed down to his own son, Cory. who must struggle to break free of the cycle. Try this with your own topic In (name of work) by (author/artist's name) (your topic) is a key idea; (your claim about topic here) Working Thesis Statement: Write your working thesis statement below. Then list reasons for supporting and NOT supporting your thesis statement. Carefully consider both sides of the issue, and then write your revised thesis statement. This exercise is designed to help you make your thesis defensible. If something can't be argued against, it might be too obvious, and therefore not an interpretation -> hp Arguments Against: 1. Original Statement: Reasons for supporting your thesis statement 1. 2. 3. Revised/Final Thesis Statement: T # 3 2. 3. I hp % 5 & 7 * 8