I have an 8-10 page final essay due concerning the Odyssey. I know my topic I want to use for my essay is FAMILY. The problem I having is forming an argumentative thesis.

My question is...

How would I begin to form an argumentative thesis?

I continue to argue the importance of family in the Odyssey, but I feel like an argument like that is not an adequate argument to use for a 400 level class.

Could someone please provide some guidance?

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/545/01/

This should help you formulate a thesis statement. Just "family" is WAY too vague. What about family? As a driving force in "The Odyssey?" The character's motivation, to return to his family? What about it?

Okay...

Odysseus needs to reconnect to his family for the sake of his own identity and for the sake of his family and the people of Ithaca.

Is this still too vague?

Could this be considered an argument?

No, I don't think so. That should work.

Thank you for your help.

I hope it did help, and you are most welcome.

To form an argumentative thesis for your essay on the importance of family in the Odyssey, you'll need to analyze the text and identify specific aspects or themes related to family that you can argue for or against. Here are some steps to help you get started:

1. Familiarize yourself with the text: Review the relevant sections of the Odyssey that deal with family relationships. Take notes on significant events, characters, and their interactions.

2. Identify key themes or motifs: Identify recurring ideas or patterns related to family in the Odyssey. For example, you might consider themes of loyalty, love, loss, or power dynamics within families.

3. Narrow down your focus: Decide on a specific aspect of family you want to explore in depth. This could be a specific relationship (e.g., Odysseus and his son Telemachus), a theme (e.g., the role of women within families), or a comparison between different families depicted in the epic.

4. Develop a stance or argument: Based on your analysis, decide on a specific argument you want to make about the importance of family in the Odyssey. This should go beyond a mere statement of importance and assert a clear position. For example, you could argue that family loyalty is the driving force behind Odysseus's journey, or that the absence of family support leads to the downfall of certain characters.

5. Craft your thesis statement: Your thesis statement should succinctly express your argumentative stance. It should be debatable, specific, and focused on the aspect of family you have chosen to explore. For example, "The Odyssey highlights the transformative power of familial love and loyalty by portraying the obstacles and sacrifices faced by Odysseus and Telemachus in their quests to reunite with their families."

Remember that an effective argumentative thesis should be supported by evidence from the text. As you write your essay, be sure to provide examples, quotes, and analysis to back up your argument.