Thesis Statement Recap:

-Tells the reader how you will interpret the importance of the subject matter under discussion.
-It's a road map for the paper. It tells the reader what to expect from the rest of the paper.

-Directly answers the question asked of you. It is an interpretation of a question or subject, not the subject itself.

Example: The subject or topic might be WWII or Huckleberry Fin; the thesis must offer a way to understand the war or the novel.

-It makes a claim that others might dispute.

-It's usually a single sentence somewhere in your first paragraph. The rest of the essay gathers and organizes evidence that persuade the reader.

-You may need to revise your thesis statement as you draft your essay and gather info.

Coming up with a strong thesis:

-Did I Answer the Question?
-Have I taken a position that others oppose?
-Is my thesis statement specific enough?
-Does my thesis pass the "so what" test?
-Does my essay support my thesis statement?
-Does my thesis statement pass the "how and why" test?