denotative meaning of thesis statement

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Connotation and Denotation

By NASRULLAH MAMBROL on March 18, 2016 • ( 3 )

Connotation and Denotation are crucial concepts in Semiotics, Structuralism, Marxism, Cultural Studies and in the entire realm of literary and cultural theory. Denotation refers to the primary signification or reference – the definitional, literal, obvious meaning of a sign. In the case of linguistic signs, the denotative meaning is what the dictionary attempts to provide, while connotation refers to a range of associated significations, the socio-cultural and ‘personal’ implications (ideological, emotional etc.) of the signs. These are typically related to the interpreter’s class, age, gender, ethnicity and so on. Signs are more polysemic and more open to interpretation in their connotations than their denotations.

Roland Barthes noted that Saussure’s model of the sign focused on denotation at the expense of connotation. In his The Photographic Message (1961) and The Rhetoric of the Image (1964) Barthes argued that in photography connotation can be (analytically) distinguished from denotation. Later, in his analysis of the realist literary text, Barthes observed that denotation pretends to be the first meaning; however, under this illusion, it is ultimately the last of the connotations (the one which seem both to establish and close the reading). In fact, it is connotation that produces the illusion of denotation, the illusion of-language as transparent and of the signifier and the signified as being identical. Thus denotation is just another connotation. From such a perspective denotation can be seen as a process of naturalization, whereby it creates the illusion of a purely literal and universal meaning, which in Althusserean parlance attempts to interpellate the reader.

Barthes explicates connotation and denotation in terms of “order of signification:. The first order of signification is that of denotation: at this level there is a sign consisting of a  and a signified. Connotation is a second-order of signification which uses the denotative sign (signifier. and signified) as its signifier and attaches to it an additional signified. It is this second order signifying system that Barthes terms ‘myth’ ( in his Mythologies ) and famously illustrates with the image of a young negro soldier saluting the French flag; that appeared on the cover of a Parisian magazine – where the denotation is that the French are militaristic, and the second order signification being that France is a great empire, and all her sons, irrespective of colour discrimination faithfully serve wider her flag, and that all allegations of colonialism are false. Thus denotations serve the purpose of ideology, in naturalising all forms of oppression into what people think of as “common sense”.

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Thesis Statements

What this handout is about.

This handout describes what a thesis statement is, how thesis statements work in your writing, and how you can craft or refine one for your draft.

Introduction

Writing in college often takes the form of persuasion—convincing others that you have an interesting, logical point of view on the subject you are studying. Persuasion is a skill you practice regularly in your daily life. You persuade your roommate to clean up, your parents to let you borrow the car, your friend to vote for your favorite candidate or policy. In college, course assignments often ask you to make a persuasive case in writing. You are asked to convince your reader of your point of view. This form of persuasion, often called academic argument, follows a predictable pattern in writing. After a brief introduction of your topic, you state your point of view on the topic directly and often in one sentence. This sentence is the thesis statement, and it serves as a summary of the argument you’ll make in the rest of your paper.

What is a thesis statement?

A thesis statement:

• tells the reader how you will interpret the significance of the subject matter under discussion.
• is a road map for the paper; in other words, it tells the reader what to expect from the rest of the paper.
• directly answers the question asked of you. A thesis is an interpretation of a question or subject, not the subject itself. The subject, or topic, of an essay might be World War II or Moby Dick; a thesis must then offer a way to understand the war or the novel.
• makes a claim that others might dispute.
• is usually a single sentence near the beginning of your paper (most often, at the end of the first paragraph) that presents your argument to the reader. The rest of the paper, the body of the essay, gathers and organizes evidence that will persuade the reader of the logic of your interpretation.

If your assignment asks you to take a position or develop a claim about a subject, you may need to convey that position or claim in a thesis statement near the beginning of your draft. The assignment may not explicitly state that you need a thesis statement because your instructor may assume you will include one. When in doubt, ask your instructor if the assignment requires a thesis statement. When an assignment asks you to analyze, to interpret, to compare and contrast, to demonstrate cause and effect, or to take a stand on an issue, it is likely that you are being asked to develop a thesis and to support it persuasively. (Check out our handout on understanding assignments for more information.)

How do I create a thesis?

A thesis is the result of a lengthy thinking process. Formulating a thesis is not the first thing you do after reading an essay assignment. Before you develop an argument on any topic, you have to collect and organize evidence, look for possible relationships between known facts (such as surprising contrasts or similarities), and think about the significance of these relationships. Once you do this thinking, you will probably have a “working thesis” that presents a basic or main idea and an argument that you think you can support with evidence. Both the argument and your thesis are likely to need adjustment along the way.

Writers use all kinds of techniques to stimulate their thinking and to help them clarify relationships or comprehend the broader significance of a topic and arrive at a thesis statement. For more ideas on how to get started, see our handout on brainstorming .

How do I know if my thesis is strong?

If there’s time, run it by your instructor or make an appointment at the Writing Center to get some feedback. Even if you do not have time to get advice elsewhere, you can do some thesis evaluation of your own. When reviewing your first draft and its working thesis, ask yourself the following :

• Do I answer the question? Re-reading the question prompt after constructing a working thesis can help you fix an argument that misses the focus of the question. If the prompt isn’t phrased as a question, try to rephrase it. For example, “Discuss the effect of X on Y” can be rephrased as “What is the effect of X on Y?”
• Have I taken a position that others might challenge or oppose? If your thesis simply states facts that no one would, or even could, disagree with, it’s possible that you are simply providing a summary, rather than making an argument.
• Is my thesis statement specific enough? Thesis statements that are too vague often do not have a strong argument. If your thesis contains words like “good” or “successful,” see if you could be more specific: why is something “good”; what specifically makes something “successful”?
• Does my thesis pass the “So what?” test? If a reader’s first response is likely to  be “So what?” then you need to clarify, to forge a relationship, or to connect to a larger issue.
• Does my essay support my thesis specifically and without wandering? If your thesis and the body of your essay do not seem to go together, one of them has to change. It’s okay to change your working thesis to reflect things you have figured out in the course of writing your paper. Remember, always reassess and revise your writing as necessary.
• Does my thesis pass the “how and why?” test? If a reader’s first response is “how?” or “why?” your thesis may be too open-ended and lack guidance for the reader. See what you can add to give the reader a better take on your position right from the beginning.

Suppose you are taking a course on contemporary communication, and the instructor hands out the following essay assignment: “Discuss the impact of social media on public awareness.” Looking back at your notes, you might start with this working thesis:

Social media impacts public awareness in both positive and negative ways.

You can use the questions above to help you revise this general statement into a stronger thesis.

• Do I answer the question? You can analyze this if you rephrase “discuss the impact” as “what is the impact?” This way, you can see that you’ve answered the question only very generally with the vague “positive and negative ways.”
• Have I taken a position that others might challenge or oppose? Not likely. Only people who maintain that social media has a solely positive or solely negative impact could disagree.
• Is my thesis statement specific enough? No. What are the positive effects? What are the negative effects?
• Does my thesis pass the “how and why?” test? No. Why are they positive? How are they positive? What are their causes? Why are they negative? How are they negative? What are their causes?
• Does my thesis pass the “So what?” test? No. Why should anyone care about the positive and/or negative impact of social media?

After thinking about your answers to these questions, you decide to focus on the one impact you feel strongly about and have strong evidence for:

Because not every voice on social media is reliable, people have become much more critical consumers of information, and thus, more informed voters.

This version is a much stronger thesis! It answers the question, takes a specific position that others can challenge, and it gives a sense of why it matters.

Let’s try another. Suppose your literature professor hands out the following assignment in a class on the American novel: Write an analysis of some aspect of Mark Twain’s novel Huckleberry Finn. “This will be easy,” you think. “I loved Huckleberry Finn!” You grab a pad of paper and write:

Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn is a great American novel.

You begin to analyze your thesis:

• Do I answer the question? No. The prompt asks you to analyze some aspect of the novel. Your working thesis is a statement of general appreciation for the entire novel.

Think about aspects of the novel that are important to its structure or meaning—for example, the role of storytelling, the contrasting scenes between the shore and the river, or the relationships between adults and children. Now you write:

In Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain develops a contrast between life on the river and life on the shore.

• Do I answer the question? Yes!
• Have I taken a position that others might challenge or oppose? Not really. This contrast is well-known and accepted.
• Is my thesis statement specific enough? It’s getting there–you have highlighted an important aspect of the novel for investigation. However, it’s still not clear what your analysis will reveal.
• Does my thesis pass the “how and why?” test? Not yet. Compare scenes from the book and see what you discover. Free write, make lists, jot down Huck’s actions and reactions and anything else that seems interesting.
• Does my thesis pass the “So what?” test? What’s the point of this contrast? What does it signify?”

After examining the evidence and considering your own insights, you write:

Through its contrasting river and shore scenes, Twain’s Huckleberry Finn suggests that to find the true expression of American democratic ideals, one must leave “civilized” society and go back to nature.

This final thesis statement presents an interpretation of a literary work based on an analysis of its content. Of course, for the essay itself to be successful, you must now present evidence from the novel that will convince the reader of your interpretation.

Works consulted

We consulted these works while writing this handout. This is not a comprehensive list of resources on the handout’s topic, and we encourage you to do your own research to find additional publications. Please do not use this list as a model for the format of your own reference list, as it may not match the citation style you are using. For guidance on formatting citations, please see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial . We revise these tips periodically and welcome feedback.

Anson, Chris M., and Robert A. Schwegler. 2010. The Longman Handbook for Writers and Readers , 6th ed. New York: Longman.

Lunsford, Andrea A. 2015. The St. Martin’s Handbook , 8th ed. Boston: Bedford/St Martin’s.

Ramage, John D., John C. Bean, and June Johnson. 2018. The Allyn & Bacon Guide to Writing , 8th ed. New York: Pearson.

Ruszkiewicz, John J., Christy Friend, Daniel Seward, and Maxine Hairston. 2010. The Scott, Foresman Handbook for Writers , 9th ed. Boston: Pearson Education.

You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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Thesis Statement

Definition of thesis statement.

A thesis statement is a statement that occurs at the end of the introduction , after the background information on the topic. The thesis statement is connected with the background information through a transition , which could be a full sentence , or a simple transition word, such as therefore, because, but etc.

The thesis statement is called the “heart of the essay .” The idea of an essay without a thesis statement is akin to a body without its heart. It also is called the “central point” or the “core” of an essay. It is comprised of evidences that the writer uses to elaborate on his topic further. Each of these evidences is then elaborated and discussed in the body paragraphs .

If there are three body paragraphs, the thesis statement must have three evidences, and should it have more than three body paragraphs, may be additional evidences. In argumentative essays, three evidences support the topic, while the fourth evidence is against it. The same is the case of persuasive essays. This applies to five-paragraph essays, but in case of a longer essay, the thesis statement could make use of more than one sentence.

There is a slight controversy over the placement of a thesis statement. Some writers and professors argue that it could be placed in the first paragraph at the end, while others feel that, in longer essays, it is not possible to give background information in just one paragraph. As background information takes two or three paragraphs, the thesis statement is kept slightly larger, having two or three sentences, and is placed at the end of the second or third paragraph. However, in a five-paragraph essay, the thesis statement is always placed at the end of the introduction, after the background information.

Qualities of a Good Thesis Statement

• It must have evidences.
• It should be interesting.
• It should be limited.
• It should be manageable.
• It should be researchable.

Difference Between a Thesis Statement and Topic

Sometimes students confuse a thesis statement with a topic, mistaking the thesis statement as the very topic of the essay they are going to read. However, it must be kept in mind that a thesis statement is not a topic, but a brief explanation of the topic in a way that sets the direction of the essay. It predicts the path the essay will take, and tells readers how the essay is going to be organized, and what each part contains.

The topic, however, is a general idea of the essay. It is a specific topic, which has been organized by the thesis statement. The thesis statement in turn elaborates evidences to support to the topic.

Examples of Good and Bad Thesis Statements

• Bad Thesis Statement – “Social media is proving a good marketing tool.”
• Good Thesis Statement – “Social media is proving to be, not only a better marketing tool, but also a source of advertisement for short and medium enterprises intending to expand their consumer base.”

Examples of Thesis Statements in Literature

Example #1:  dream on (by mark krikorian in national review online ).

“The core principal behind this amnesty proposal is that it is amid at those who have grown up here and are, psychologically and emotionally, Americans.”

This is the first sentence of the second paragraph. The second sentence further elaborates this thesis. It is placed in the second paragraph because the first paragraph introduces the controversial DREAM Act. As the writer is going to argue against the bill, he has stated his argument as to why he is going to oppose it. This is a very compact thesis statement with various implicit counter arguments.

Example #2: Editorial (by The Washington Post)

“There is no doubt that the attacks profoundly affected our country’s policy, politics, economics, society and even collective psychology. Moreover, in addition to sharing the immediate experience of September 9/11, Americans have dealt with its consequences in the years since.”

This is the best thesis statement with clear evidences in it. It is not as complicated as other thesis statements usually are.

Example #3: I Have a Dream (by Martin Luther King)

“In a sense we’ve come to our nation’s capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the ‘unalienable Rights’ of ‘Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.’ It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note, insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked ‘insufficient funds’.”

This is one of the best examples of long thesis statements. It highlights what Martin Luther King is going to speak about. It comes after three paragraphs of background information.

Function of Thesis Statement

A good thesis statement is the heart of an essay. It gives a gist of the thoughts a writer expresses in his essay. It determines the shape of the essay, predicts its content, and foreshadows its events. It narrates the whole story in just one sentence, provided the essay is a short one. Without a thesis statement, an essay is just a written piece, not an organized and well-connected essay

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• Denotative Meaning

Imagine words as keys - each unlocking a particular meaning. In language, the 'denotative meaning' is the key that opens the most basic, literal, and direct interpretation of a word, also known as its 'dictionary definition'. It's devoid of emotion, personal interpretation, or connotation. 

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True or false?Multiple words can have the same denotation.

True or false?The denotative meaning of leave in the sentence “I want to leave the house”, is 'to spend time in a place'.

True or false?Not every word has a denotative meaning.

True or false?A connotation can only be positive.

True or false?A denotation is the literal meaning of a word, the definition you find in the dictionary.

Denotative meaning is...

True or false?Connotations are connected to the emotions and personal experiences of people.

True or false?Denotative meaning illustrates the subjective meaning of a word.

Denotative meaning is an ________ meaning.

Denotative meaning contributes to our understanding of how meaning is _______ changing.

Do denotations always have to carry a neutral meaning?

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For example, the denotative meaning of the word 'rose' is simply a type of flowering plant. This differs from its connotative meaning , which might evoke feelings of love, romance, or beauty. Understanding denotative meaning is crucial to effective communication, as it forms the foundational understanding upon which more nuanced or subjective meanings are built.

Short summary: Denotative meaning is when what you say is meant literally. It does not attach any emotional, implied, or cultural associations to a word or phrase.

Denotative meaning definition

Denotative meaning refers to the literal meaning of a word. This also means its dictionary definition. For example, fungus in the dictionary means 'any of various types of organisms that get their food from decaying material or other living things' (including yeast, mould, and mushrooms). The opposite of denotative meaning is connotative meaning , which refers to the emotional and cultural associations of a word. For example, the word fungus often has connotations of ugliness and disease.

Denotative meaning is important for understanding the definitions of words, which in turn helps people communicate clearly, and prevent misunderstandings. In a debate, one person may use the dictionary definition of a word, which another person may misinterpret because they have a different cultural understanding of the word, a particular connotation of the same word.

• For example, lawyers may stick to dry legal terms or expressions (such as the phrase 'no fixed abode') to avoid positive or negative associations with words such as 'vagrants' and 'homeless', which may cause misunderstandings or bias in court. People working in professional environments stick to plain language, Latin terms, or specific words that do not have strong emotional or cultural associations, as far as possible.

Denotative meaning contributes to our understanding of how meaning is constantly changing, shifting, and is influenced by cultural and historical movements.

Denotative meaning examples

As previously mentioned, denotative meaning is the literal, explicit, dictionary definition of a word . Here are some examples of denotative meaning:

• "Jacob ate pancakes with some apples and different toppings".
• “Monica was a green dress for the summer ball. She looked beautiful ”.
• “A snake entered the villa while I was eating with my family”.

Apples, green, and snake are words used with denotative meanings. There are no hidden meanings.

• In the first sentence, the word apples refer to fruits with red or green skins.
• In the second sentence, the word green refers to the color between blue and yellow in the color spectrum.
• In the third sentence, the word snake refers to the long, venomous reptile.

But all these words can also have a connotative meaning if they are placed in a different context:

• "Mike is the apple of my eye".

In this case , the word apple is used by the speaker to describe someone they truly cherish, and are extremely fund of.

• “I'm green with envy because Ella met my favorite singer”.

In this case , the word green is used metaphorically to describe a feeling of envy.

• "She told me not to trust Tom because he is a snake".

In this case, the word snake refers to somebody evil and untrustworthy.

Literal example of denotative meaning

Denotative meaning is relevant for academic writing , reference work (encyclopedia), and instructions ; while connotative meaning is useful for creative writing .

For example, when an author wants to convey a clear message without associated or suggested meanings , denotation is used. However, when an author is trying to build certain emotions or be descriptive , they may use connotations.

This does not mean that denotation can not be used in creative writing. It depends on the writer's intention and the tone of the story. Take a look at this poem by Robert Frost and decide whether Frost denotes or connotes the word wall in his ' Mending Wall ' (1941) poem.

Mending Wall

I let my neighbour know beyond the hill;

And on a day we meet to walk the line

And set the wall between us once again.

We keep the wall between us as we go.

To each the boulders that have fallen to each.

And some are loaves and some so nearly balls

He says again, 'Good fences make good neighbours.'

The poem focuses on the story of two neighbours who repair the fence between their villas. Yet, this moment just describes the relationship between the two people and the literal and metaphorical wall that separate them.

At the first scan of this poem, you may notice that Frost uses the connotative meaning of wall as an emotional and psychological barrier between two people. But after further inspection, the wall starts to denote a literal wall that separates the two main characters.

Features of denotative meaning

Here is a list of some important features to know about denotative meaning.

1. Words and dictionary meaning Some words only have a function (prepositions, grammatical particles, etc.) rather than carrying meaning like morphemes , which can have two tiers of meaning or none (like "ing").

2. Multiple words can have the same denotation Some words can have the same dictionary definition. 3. Denotation meaning is objective While connotative meaning can vary, denotative meaning doesn't. For example, the dictionary definition of a home is universal: 'a house or place where one lives'. However, different people may have different connotations to the meaning of home depending on their cultural or social background. 4. Denotation doesn't always carry a neutral meaning

Denotative and connotative meaning

Denotative meaning is the opposite of connotative meaning, but how different are they? What happens if a writer uses denotation instead of connotation to describe a scene?

If the denotative meaning of the word means the precise, literal definition of that word according to its dictionary definition. For instance, the denotative meaning of the word "snake" is a long, legless reptile. It doesn't take into account any subjective or cultural interpretations, such as considering it as a symbol of danger or deceit, which would be its connotative meaning.

Connotative meaning, therefore, refers to the associated, implied, or secondary meaning of a word . It is connected to the emotions and experiences of human beings. Connotative meaning can be positive, neutral, or negative , depending on the way a word or a sentence is said (e.g. its pronunciation or intonation ).

The word unique can have two meanings:

• Denotative meaning: being original, or “one of a kind”.
• Connotative meaning: special (positive), peculiar (neutral), or different / weird (negative).

Or the word basement, which can have two meanings:

• Denotative meaning: part of a house that you can find below ground.
• Connotative meaning: a dark, creepy, or dangerous place.

Denotative Meaning - Key takeaways

• Denotative meaning is the literal, explicit, dictionary definition of a word.
• Denotative meaning is relevant for academic writing , reference work (encyclopedia), and instructions; while connotative meaning is useful for creative writing. Connotative meaning refers to the associated, implied, or secondary meaning of a word.
• There are four characteristics of denotative meaning: Every word has a denotative meaning. multiple words can have the same denotation, denotation meaning is objective, and denotation doesn't always carry a neutral meaning.
• The difference between denotative and connotative meaning in literature depends on the tone and setting of the story.
• Denotative meaning is used when the author wants the reader to see a word in its literal form, yet connotative meaning adds extra meaning to the word, which can create emotional or cultural associations to that word that change the tone and mood of the story.

Flashcards in Denotative Meaning 15

True or false?

Multiple words can have the same denotation.

The denotative meaning of leave in the sentence “I want to leave the house”, is 'to spend time in a place'.

Not every word has a denotative meaning.

A connotation can only be positive.

A denotation is the literal meaning of a word, the definition you find in the dictionary.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Denotative Meaning

What does denotation mean?

Denotation represents the literal meaning of a word, the definition you find in the dictionary, without any additional associative value.

What is an example of denotative meaning?

An example of denotative meaning is the word cold. In the sentence “the girl sitting next to me was cold”, the word cold refers to the corporal temperature of the girl.

What are some other names for denotative meaning?

Denotative meaning can also be called literal meaning, explicit meaning, or the dictionary definition of a word.

What is the opposite of denotative meaning?

 The opposite of denotative meaning is connotative meaning, which refers to the associated, implied, or secondary meaning of a word.

Does denotation always carry a neutral meaning?

Denotation is only the literal meaning of a word. Connotation, instead, has a positive, neutral, or negative meanings.

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True or false?The denotative meaning of leave in the sentence “I want to leave the house”, is 'to spend time in a place'.

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• When & How to Write a Thesis

I. What is a Thesis?

The thesis (pronounced thee -seez), also known as a thesis statement, is the sentence that introduces the main argument or point of view of a composition (formal essay, nonfiction piece, or narrative). It is the main claim that the author is making about that topic and serves to summarize and introduce that writing that will be discussed throughout the entire piece. For this reason, the thesis is typically found within the first introduction paragraph.

II. Examples of Theses

Here are a few examples of theses which may be found in the introductions of a variety of essays :

In “The Mending Wall,” Robert Frost uses imagery, metaphor, and dialogue to argue against the use of fences between neighbors.

In this example, the thesis introduces the main subject (Frost’s poem “The Mending Wall”), aspects of the subject which will be examined (imagery, metaphor, and dialogue) and the writer’s argument (fences should not be used).

While Facebook connects some, overall, the social networking site is negative in that it isolates users, causes jealousy, and becomes an addiction.

This thesis introduces an argumentative essay which argues against the use of Facebook due to three of its negative effects.

During the college application process, I discovered my willingness to work hard to achieve my dreams and just what those dreams were.

In this more personal example, the thesis statement introduces a narrative essay which will focus on personal development in realizing one’s goals and how to achieve them.

III. The Importance of Using a Thesis

Theses are absolutely necessary components in essays because they introduce what an essay will be about. Without a thesis, the essay lacks clear organization and direction. Theses allow writers to organize their ideas by clearly stating them, and they allow readers to be aware from the beginning of a composition’s subject, argument, and course. Thesis statements must precisely express an argument within the introductory paragraph of the piece in order to guide the reader from the very beginning.

IV. Examples of Theses in Literature

For examples of theses in literature, consider these thesis statements from essays about topics in literature:

In William Shakespeare’s “ Sonnet 46,” both physicality and emotion together form powerful romantic love.

This thesis statement clearly states the work and its author as well as the main argument: physicality and emotion create romantic love.

In The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne symbolically shows Hester Prynne’s developing identity through the use of the letter A: she moves from adulteress to able community member to angel.

In this example, the work and author are introduced as well as the main argument and supporting points: Prynne’s identity is shown through the letter A in three ways: adulteress, able community member, and angel.

John Keats’ poem “To Autumn” utilizes rhythm, rhyme, and imagery to examine autumn’s simultaneous birth and decay.

This thesis statement introduces the poem and its author along with an argument about the nature of autumn. This argument will be supported by an examination of rhythm, rhyme, and imagery.

V. Examples of Theses in Pop Culture

Sometimes, pop culture attempts to make arguments similar to those of research papers and essays. Here are a few examples of theses in pop culture:

America’s food industry is making a killing and it’s making us sick, but you have the power to turn the tables.

The documentary Food Inc. examines this thesis with evidence throughout the film including video evidence, interviews with experts, and scientific research.

Orca whales should not be kept in captivity, as it is psychologically traumatizing and has caused them to kill their own trainers.

Blackfish uses footage, interviews, and history to argue for the thesis that orca whales should not be held in captivity.

VI. Related Terms

Just as a thesis is introduced in the beginning of a composition, the hypothesis is considered a starting point as well. Whereas a thesis introduces the main point of an essay, the hypothesis introduces a proposed explanation which is being investigated through scientific or mathematical research. Thesis statements present arguments based on evidence which is presented throughout the paper, whereas hypotheses are being tested by scientists and mathematicians who may disprove or prove them through experimentation. Here is an example of a hypothesis versus a thesis:

Hypothesis:

Students skip school more often as summer vacation approaches.

This hypothesis could be tested by examining attendance records and interviewing students. It may or may not be true.

Students skip school due to sickness, boredom with classes, and the urge to rebel.

This thesis presents an argument which will be examined and supported in the paper with detailed evidence and research.

Introduction

A paper’s introduction is its first paragraph which is used to introduce the paper’s main aim and points used to support that aim throughout the paper. The thesis statement is the most important part of the introduction which states all of this information in one concise statement. Typically, introduction paragraphs require a thesis statement which ties together the entire introduction and introduces the rest of the paper.

VII. Conclusion

Theses are necessary components of well-organized and convincing essays, nonfiction pieces, narratives , and documentaries. They allow writers to organize and support arguments to be developed throughout a composition, and they allow readers to understand from the beginning what the aim of the composition is.

List of Terms

• Alliteration
• Amplification
• Anachronism
• Anthropomorphism
• Antonomasia
• APA Citation
• Aposiopesis
• Autobiography
• Bildungsroman
• Characterization
• Circumlocution
• Cliffhanger
• Comic Relief
• Connotation
• Deus ex machina
• Deuteragonist
• Doppelganger
• Double Entendre
• Dramatic irony
• Equivocation
• Extended Metaphor
• Figures of Speech
• Flash-forward
• Foreshadowing
• Intertextuality
• Juxtaposition
• Literary Device
• Malapropism
• Onomatopoeia
• Parallelism
• Pathetic Fallacy
• Personification
• Point of View
• Polysyndeton
• Protagonist
• Red Herring
• Rhetorical Device
• Rhetorical Question
• Science Fiction
• Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
• Synesthesia
• Turning Point
• Understatement
• Urban Legend
• Verisimilitude
• Essay Guide
• Cite This Website