English 101

Three Point Thesis

The Three Point Thesis allows you to create a five paragraph essay with a flawless structure.  The three examples or pieces of evidence that you use to prove the main idea of the thesis will each fit and be explained in its own paragraph.  You can pick any statement or argument and then provide three examples to support it.  Let us look at an example:

 

  • The atom bomb is the worst weapon ever created.

 

You now have a statement or argument.  However, this statement is not very focused, and it lacks clarity.  An unfocused thesis can easily lead you off topic.  In this instance, it may be tempting to write about the history of the atom bomb, or other terrible weapons that have been invented.  Unfortunately, the history and other weapons do not specifically relate to the thesis statement.  Adding three specific examples to support your statement will clarify what your essay is trying to prove.

 

  • A thesis statement like the one above begs the question: “Why?”
  • Now find three examples that answer that question.

 

  1. It causes massive destruction.
  2. It expels harmful radiation.
  3. It causes extreme environmental damage.

 

Each of these responses have helped answer the question, “Why is the atom bomb the worst weapon ever created?”

With these three examples, you can now create your Three Point Thesis.

 

  • The atom bomb is the worst weapon ever created because of the massive destruction it causes on detonation, the harmful radiation it expels on impact, and the extreme environmental damage that it inflicts.

 

This Thesis now fits perfectly with the five paragraph essay.  The Three Point Thesis sets up the structure of your paper.

  • Introduction- Introduce your topic with a statistic, quote, short narrative, or however else you wish to “hook” your audience. The final sentence of your introduction will be your thesis.

 

  • Paragraph one – Topic sentence will have to do with the massive destruction an atom bomb produces on detonation. You will then give examples or explain this particular idea.

 

  • Paragraph two – Topic sentence will have to do with the harmful radiation that the atom bomb expels. You will then give examples or explain this particular idea.

 

  • Paragraph three – Topic sentence will have to do with the extreme environmental damage that an atom bomb causes. You will then give examples or explain this particular idea.

 

  • Conclusion– Restate or reword your thesis, and finish with closing remarks.

 

 

Example 2:

 

A narrative thesis may begin to look like this:

 

My life changed for the better when Gracie, my golden retriever, entered my life.”

 

This is a statement, but not a Three Point Thesis.  Again, you must ask the question “Why?”

 

“My life changed for the better when Gracie, my golden retriever, entered my life because she comforted me, gave me joy, and took away my loneliness.”

 

 

 

 

Example 3:

 

“Social fraternities are undesirable at the college level.”

Remember, you are answering the question, “Why?”

 

“Social fraternities are undesirable at the college level because they are expensive, promote underage drinking, and include hazing.”

 

The first word in bold, undesirable, reveals the position you are taking in this argument.  The three bolded words are the reasons why.

 

***Important***

This is a Three Point Thesis, NOT a Three Sentence Thesis.  Be careful not to make your points too long.  If you can, you want to sum them up in just several words.

 

Here is an example of how NOT to do it.

“Social fraternities are undesirable at the college level because they are expensive due to the many functions and event that one has to pay for, they promote underage drinking at various parties, which can be harmful and even dangerous to teenagers, and they include hazing as part of certain initiation rites further stunting the emotional growth of a young person.”

 

At this point, you may have confused your reader as to what exactly you are going to be discussing.  You want to save those details for the body paragraphs and keep your thesis concise.

 

King Oedipus reveals the characteristics of a tyrant through his excessive pride, irrational anger, and his lack of regard for human life.

 

  1. Excessive pride through his imagined suffering being greater than that of his people who are experiencing a plague.
  2. He blames Tiresias for conspiring against him as king. All Tiresias did was tell Oedipus the truth that Oedipus begged him for.
  3. He is willing to kill Creon, as he believes Creon is conspiring against him.

 

 

 

 

 

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