Constructing

Now that you've narrowed down your novel's theme and have created a theme statement which encompasses this theme, the next activity has two parts: First, you will turn your theme statement into a question (topic). Then, you will create a thesis statement which answers that question.

Let's take a look at some of the theme statements from our virtual classmates and turn them into questions/topics:


Sample Theme Statements
  Sample Questions/Topics
Courage and education are ingredients for success. How do courage and education lead to success?
Love can transform life into magic. How can love transform life into magic?
 Listen to that voice in your head. Why should one listen to the voice in their head?

Notice how asking How? or Why? (those two questions you're always prompted to answer!) can quickly turn your theme statement into a topic. If you're not how to turn your theme statement into a question/topic, please email me for help.

Now you're ready to start the first step of your novel essay. As with your film essay, your novel critical response essay will critically analyze how a character transforms throughout the novel. You will be focusing on a character's transformation in relation to the novel's theme and discussing specific aspects of the novel which prompt this transformation. In your previous coursework, you learned that setting, character, and symbols impact a novel's theme, and thus, impact a character's transformation.

Before you begin crafting your thesis, remember that your thesis statement should have the following:

 
A Topic + Claim + because + Rationale = Thesis Statement

The Assignment



Step 1: Transform your theme statement into a question/topic.


Step 2:  Develop a thesis statement which answers your question and ties in the concept of transformation.


Step 3: Review your thesis. Is it
  • specific?
  • debatable?
  • unified?
  • relevant?

If you'd like feedback on your thesis or need some help with developing your question/topic or thesis, please email me directly.