Thesis Statements

Having completed your reading, which you selected carefully for its relevance to a topic and then read critically, it's time to formulate your argument. The thesis statement is your first opportunity to state your argument in an essay or longer paper. A thesis statement should be in the introduction so that the reader understands from the beginning what position you are taking on a topic. There are many possible arguments for each topic, of course. Consider the following example:

Topic:

"Discuss the importance of light in Gothic architecture."

Thesis statements:

• "The architectural use of light in Gothic cathedrals physically embodied the significance of light in medieval theology."
• "In the Gothic cathedral of Cologne, light served to accentuate the authority and ritual centrality of the priest."

1. Discuss the social impact of one or more of Keith Windschuttle's revisionist histories of Indigenous Australia.

   • Keith Windschuttle has written a number of revisionist histories of Indigenous Australia.
   • An investigation of mortality rates, deaths in custody and incidence of disease in Aboriginal communities clearly indicates that the publication of Keith Windschuttle's "The Fabrication of Aboriginal History" and surrounding debates have contributed to a recent sharp decline in the welfare of Indigenous Australians.
   • Keith Windschuttle's revisionist histories of Indigenous Australia have had a negative social impact.

2. Discuss the effects of globalisation on small businesses in Melbourne.

   • Globalisation has created significant interdependencies between the world's nations.
   • Globalisation, while offering so much variety in goods and peoples, has had a very negative effect on the economics of small businesses in Melbourne.
   • Globalisation has had an effect on Melbourne's small businesses.

3. With reference to an example of a highly mediatised conflict, critically appraise the adequacy of the 'propaganda model' (Herman and Chomsky).

   • The 'propaganda model' (Herman and Chomsky) offers a salient critical appraisal of the media coverage of the first Gulf War in 1991, helping readers to understand the relationship between power and communication and how consent is 'manufactured'.
   • The media coverage of the 1991 Gulf War is an example of Herman and Chomsky's notions of propaganda.
   • By examining the 1991 Gulf War, this paper will critically appraise the adequacy of the 'propaganda model' (Herman and Chomsky).