Thesis Help
(Note: This is for both poetry and drama essays, as well as tenth grade.
 Don't be disconcerted.)

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1.    Begin by asking yourself, "What part of this play, novel, poet, poem, etc., most interests me?" Is there one poem that just sits in your brain? Is there an image you can't forget? Is there one character/speaker with whom you sympathize or one you just despise? Is there something you don't understand that you'd like to investigate further? Always begin with what interests you. The best papers are those that you genuinely enjoy writing.

2.   Ask an authentic question. By "authentic," I mean a question for which you are unsure of the answer. The best papers include an element of exploration. For example, an authentic question for A Raisin in the Sun might be, "Why do people think this is a feminist play when none of the women seem particularly powerful?" One for "The Knight's Tale" might be, "What does the Knight's choice of imagery show about his background and views on romantic love?" This kind of question could be the basis of a strong thesis. 

   An inauthentic thesis might result from this kind of thought: "Well, I know that the plant is symbolic of the family, so I guess I'll write about that," or "Well, Aemilia Lanyer is supposed to be a feminist, so I'll write that." Do you see the difference? There's no zip or zing to this kind of topic, even though this person may be confident that they have the "right" answer to the symbolism or feminism questions. Which leads to my third point...

3.    Don't worry about being right. Worry about making a strong argument, substantiated by evidence from the text.  When I read, I will ask myself, "Has this student made a case for the thesis?" not "Is this student right?" I don't believe in right answers in literature. Take risks--a risky paper is always more interesting for the reader and more educational for the writer.

4.    Your thesis should answer these questions:

            a. What is the author doing in this work? That is, what is the major point, the effect, the result, the "so what?" of the play/poem(s)?

            b. In what way does the author achieve this effect/ response/ result? Through the use of irony, theme, style, diction, allusion, imagery, structure, motif, mood, tone, symbolism, humor, pathos, bathos, innuendo, point of view, syntax, rhyme, meter? How is this achievement unique?

5. Other questions to consider: What is the function of the minor characters? What is the historical context of the play/poem? What makes the character/speaker sympathetic (or not)? How does the character/speaker relate to society--alienated, accepted, emulated? How is this work relevant today? 

6.  Do not get too wrapped up in the author's life, or what you think the author's "intent" was. We don't know intent, only effect.  To rely too heavily on biographical info is superficial. In MY view, the work must be able to stand on its own. What's the meaning of the work aside from the author's life? If it doesn't have one, choose another work or another topic.

7.  When in doubt, set up a meeting with me well in advance of the due date to discuss your paper.

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