Writing a Thesis

Read the whole extract and understand the implications.

Highlight and analyze.

What is the text talking about?
What are the themes of this extract?
What is the goal of the author?

​1. The Extract

​2. The Analysis

Run through your analysis, what is your interpretation of the text?

What do you think the author is trying to convey?

(Remember, there are no wrong ideas! Only thing that matters is how well you can explain them!)

​Break down the given question.

What is it asking for?

After understanding the question, link it to your analysis and formulate an idea for your thesis!

​Let's Use Billy Bryson's 'African Diary' as an example:

Question: How does the writer’s tone and use of words reveal his values and beliefs?

I'll look for tone and use of words, and values and beliefs.




See the following slides for my example.

Bill Bryson demonstrates values of empathy, social awareness, and a commitment to understanding societal issues. His writing reflects a deep concern for the experiences of marginalized communities, particularly in his depiction of life in Kibera. This focus on human suffering underscores his advocacy for social justice.

Bryson believes in the importance of recognizing systemic inequalities and confronting the uncomfortable realities of socio-economic disparities. His critique of the government’s neglect of slum conditions indicates that he views awareness as essential for driving meaningful change, emphasizing the need for both recognition and action to address social injustices.

The tone that Bryson employs is reflective and often carries a sense of melancholy, balancing curiosity with the harsh realities of life in Kibera. This tone invites readers to consider the stark contrasts between the experiences of Kibera’s residents and those of more privileged individuals. By blending humor with serious observations, he adds depth to his narrative, enhancing the emotional impact of his insights.

Bryson’s word choices are vivid and descriptive, effectively conveying the challenging conditions in Kibera. Phrases like "a random, seemingly endless warren" and "frail, dirt-floored hovels" illustrate the instability of life in the slum. The contrast between everyday details and harsh realities—such as the high cost of water—highlights the struggles faced by residents. Additionally, describing Jenny Matthews as “fearless” and “indestructible” shows Bryson’s admiration for those who risk their safety to expose social injustices.

Now that I answered those questions, what do I do?

Compile a short 2-3 sentences answering the question, serving as an introduction to the whole extract itself.

See the following slide for a demonstration.

1. Empathy

2. Social Awareness

3. Importance of Acknowledging Systemic Inequality

​Using Example:

1. Can I identify rich ideas in my thesis statement? (Have at least 3 rich ideas)

You can talk about how his reflective and poignant tone reflects his values and beliefs, as well as how his vivid and descriptive word choices also reflect it.

​Using Example:

2. To what extent are these rich ideas able to present topic sentences in main body paragraphs?

You could write a whole three body paragraphs answering the question using this argument.

​Using Example:

3. To what extent can the argument from the thesis statement be developed throughout the body paragraphs?

How are conventional elements of cartooning (such as caricature) used to skewer the writer’s targets in these two cartoons?

-By Kal Kallaugher for The Baltimore Sun, 2015

You should be looking for:

1. Conventional Elements of Cartooning

2. How the writers targets are skewered.

​If you struggled with the previous task, review cartoon features... ASAP