OBJECTIVE # 3
FORMULATING
THE
THESIS
FORMULATING THE POSITION STATEMENT/THESIS
SLEUTHING 101 focuses on the research process—the process necessary to
compile the RESEARCH PROJECT, the ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY. According to PA
Common Core Standards, the argumentative essay should propose a clear arguable
claim, supported by reason and evidence [primary and secondary sources].
It is now time to put Sleuthing 101 into practice, noting that it is imperative to continue to
peruse acquired source materials as the research project/argumentative essay
proceeds forward.
The next step in the research project is to propose a THREE POINT THESIS
STATEMENT, a clear arguable claim that can be indubitably supported by primary and
secondary source materials.
The THESIS STATEMENT is a clear statement of the writer’s arguable point: a claim
statement, indicating what the writer will indubitably prove and support by means of the
research process.
BASIC THESIS STATEMENT FORMULA:
TOPIC/SUBJECT
+ ARGUABLE CLAIM (Arguable claim IS the NARROWED TOPIC SUBJECT)
+ 3 SUPPORTIVE POINTS/REASONS TO SUPPORT THE ARGUABLE CLAIM
THESIS STATEMENT
NOTE: It will necessary to compile a working thesis – a “rough draft thesis” – before reconciling
a publishable thesis statement.
PUBLISHABLE THESIS STATEMENT EXAMPLES:
 Victoria Falls [TOPIC/SUBJECT], in particular, deserves to be honored and celebrated as one of
the stateliest Seven Natural Wonders of the World [ARGUABLE CLAIM] in that its geography
[SUPPORTIVE POINT/REASON # 1, ACQUIRED FROM RESEARCH PROCESS], history
[SUPPORTIVE POINT/REASON # 2, ACQUIRED FROM RESEARCH PROCESS], and splendor
are unsurpassed [SUPPORTIVE POINT/REASON # 3, ACQUIRED FROM RESEARCH
PROCESS].
 Steroids [TOPIC/SUBJECT] negatively affect athletes and should be illegal [ARGUABLE CLAIM]
because they are capable of physically harming the user [SUPPORTIVE POINT/REASON # 1,
ACQUIRED FROM RESEARCH PROCESS], they give athletes an unfair advantage,
[SUPPORTIVE POINT/REASON # 2, ACQUIRED FROM RESEARCH PROCESS], and they are
too accessible to young, aspiring athletes [SUPPORTIVE POINT /REASON # 3, ACQUIRED
FROM RESEARCH PROCESS].
 Title IX [TOPIC/SUBJECT] has significantly impacted women’s sports [ARGUABLE CLAIM] by
creating opportunities for high school female athletes [SUPPORTIVE POINT/REASON # 1,
ACQUIRED FROM RESEARCH PROCESS], offering equal scholarship money to female
athletes [SUPPORTIVE POINT/REASON # 2, ACQUIRED FROM RESEARCH PROCESS], and
developing a professional attitude toward women athletes [SUPPORTIVE POINT/REASON # 3,
ACQUIRED FROM RESEARCH PROCESS].
 Dance [TOPIC/SUBJECT] should be required as a part of physical education curricula
[ARGUABLE CLAIM] because it adds variety to the class, encouraging participation from an
eclectic array of students [SUPPORTIVE POINT/REASON # 1, ACQUIRED FROM RESEARCH
PROCESS], it juxtaposes other physical education activities, providing similar health benefits for
students [SUPPORTIVE POINT/REASON # 2, ACQUIRED FROM RESEARCH PROCESS], and
it contributes to the save the arts/ music effort, fostering dance through an already mandatory
class [SUPPORTIVE POINT/REASON # 3, ACQUIRED FROM RESEARCH PROCESS].
 Drug offenders [TOPIC/SUBJECT] that are sentenced to time in prison should be placed in drug
rehabilitation institutions for the duration of their sentence [ARGUABLE CLAIM] in order to work
with medical experts to achieve clean time [SUPPORTIVE POINT/REASON # 1, ACQUIRED
FROM RESEARCH PROCESS], to learn strategies for staying sober [SUPPORTIVE
POINT/REASON # 2, ACQUIRED FROM RESEARCH PROCESS], and to increase the
probability of remaining clean [SUPPORTIVE POINT/REASON # 3, ACQUIRED FROM
RESEARCH PROCESS].
NOTE: Do not include the words TOPIC/SUBJECT, ARGUABLE CLAIM, SUPPORTIVE POINT/REASON # 1, SUPPORTIVE
POINT/REASON # 2, or SUPPORTIVE POINT/REASON # 3 in actual thesis statement. They are included in the examples for
directional emphasis only.