A thesis in writing

Dear Dr English,

What is a thesis in a piece of writing?

Jasleen Kaur

A thesis is a statement that tells readers what the writer feels is important about the matter being discussed. This thesis statement is sometimes called a Òmain ideaÓ, an ÒargumentÓ or a Òcontrolling ideaÓ.
Do not get confused between the subject of your piece of writing and your interpretation of the subject. It is the latter that is the thesis of the essay. The thesis statement serves several purposes in the theme of an essay, such as giving the main topic the writer plans to cover in the theme, listing the number of main points the writer will make and sometimes indicating how the writer will organise his/her essay and so on.
If you are writing about energy crisis; a thesis must make the reader understand the crisis that is occurring and the body of the essay gathers and organises information or evidence that will persuade the reader about the logic of your interpretation.

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A good theme in writing

Dear Dr English,

What are the points that a good theme must have in a piece of writing?

Jasleen Kaur

A theme in an essay gives information about or an explanation of a difficult topic you choose. A theme must consist of an introductory paragraph, thesis sentence(s), supporting ideas and a concluding paragraph.

The traditional form of a theme consists of an introductory paragraph, three paragraphs in the body and a concluding paragraph.

The characteristics of this five-paragraph theme are as follows:

1. An introductory paragraph, which includes an attention getter like: using a quotation, asking a question or questions, making a controversial or surprising statement, and so on.

2. A topic sentence in the first paragraph clearly stating the theme of the essay and how it will develop.

3. A separate paragraph in the body for each main point developed.

4. A topic sentence in each paragraph.

5. Transitional words, phrases or sentences to connect the ideas within paragraphs and between paragraphs.

6. An appropriate form of development such as cause and effect, classification, comparison and contrast, description, persuasion or process analysis.

7. A concluding paragraph which brings the theme to a close.

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