My college instructor is asking me to define and discuss one of the themes the entire class read about for homework. I've chosen to do a paper on Americanization of the Mexican American woman. However I don't understand how I should define and discuss the theme while writing my essay.
A few questions:
1) Should my thesis statement be written in a way so that I define the theme and my body paragraphs will serve to discuss the theme?
I'm not familiar with writing essays within an history class so I don't know how I should write a thesis statement for this kind of setting. If possible, I'd like to hear some examples of thesis/central point ideas.
Follow the writing process, whether you're writing for science, history, English, or any other class:
Prewriting: Brainstorm, research, plan, outline, thesis statement**
Writing: Write first draft by starting with section II of your outline; write the introduction after the body of the paper is written; write the conclusion last.
Polishing: Revise, concentrating first on the body of the paper, then the intro, then the concl (revision = making sure ideas are logical and sequential and support your thesis); proofread (spelling, grammar, usage, etc.)
http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/catalogue.html#org
from http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/catalogue.html
http://www.angelfire.com/wi/writingprocess/
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/
Check in the Essay & Research Paper Level.
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** Your thesis statement must include factual information plus your position/opinion/stance. Without your position on the topic, it isn't a true thesis statement. So think of this sentence as the angle you want to take on the topic and what you intend to prove by the end of your paper. (If your statement is simply factual, then there's nothing to prove!)
http://blog.eduify.com/index.php/2009/06/21/5-tips-on-how-to-write-a-strong-thesis-statement/
Read carefully and follow ALL directions.
http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/acadwrite/thesistatement.html
This is one of the very best places I've seen online to help students write good thesis statements. It shows you sentences that aren't thesis statements and how to turn each one into real thesis statements.
When writing an essay on a theme like the Americanization of the Mexican American woman, it's important to clarify and define the theme in your thesis statement. Here's how you can structure your essay and formulate a thesis statement:
1) Introduction:
Begin by introducing the topic and its significance. Provide some background information about the Americanization of Mexican American women and explain why it is an important theme in American history.
2) Thesis Statement:
Your thesis statement should clearly state your argument or central point. In this case, it should define the theme and provide a roadmap for how you will discuss it in your body paragraphs.
For example, a thesis statement for this topic could be:
"The Americanization of Mexican American women in the early 20th century resulted in significant cultural, social, and linguistic transformations, which can be observed through their experiences in education, work, and family dynamics."
3) Body Paragraphs:
Each body paragraph should focus on a specific aspect or evidence related to the theme. Here are some possible ideas for body paragraphs:
- First, you may discuss the impact of American education on the Mexican American women. Explore how they were encouraged to adopt English as their primary language and conform to American cultural norms in schools.
- In the second paragraph, you could delve into the transformation of work opportunities for Mexican American women. Discuss how they were marginalized into low-paying and menial jobs, often facing discrimination and exploitation.
- The third paragraph can address the changing dynamics within Mexican American households. Analyze how the influence of American values and expectations affected gender roles, family structure, and traditions.
4) Conclusion:
Summarize your main points and the evidence you presented in the body paragraphs. Restate the significance of the Americanization theme and its impact on Mexican American women. You may also conclude with some insights into the ongoing relevance of this theme in contemporary society.
Remember, your thesis statement should define the theme and provide a clear direction for your essay. Use your body paragraphs to discuss different aspects or evidence related to the theme, and use your conclusion to bring it all together.