Sections: 2.2, 2.3, 17.4 & 17.10

A strong thesis statement surprises readers with something new or challenging. Your answers to your subject-matter question becomes your thesis statement. A strong thesis usually contains an element of uncertainty, risk, or challenge. A thesis is something to be quarreled with. A strong thesis surprises the reader with a new, unexpected, different, or challenging view of the writer's topic. There are two suggested ways written in the text to create a surprising thesis.

1. Trying to change your reader's view of your subject. 

2. Giving your thesis tension.

To change your reader's view of your subject, you must first imagine how the reader would view the subject before reading your essay. Then, you can articulate how you aim to change that view. 

For example: Before reading my essay, my readers think this way about my topic. After reading it, my readers will think this way. You can enlarge your reader's view by introducing new points and information. You can clarify your readers view of something that was previously fuzzy, tentative, or uncertain. You can restructure readers' whole view of a subject.

The old/new contract is when the thesis comes at the end of the introduction. What precedes the thesis is the explanation of the problem that she is addressing or the conversation that she is joining. This is also called the, "problem-before-thesis-structure." Start the introduction with a question to hook the readers. Features of an effective introduction include...

• Topic area and context
• A direct or implied question
• An indication of how the question invites tension, evoked controversy, or is otherwise problematic.
• An indication of how the question is significant or worth examining.
• The writer's thesis, which brings something new to the audience.

Start and end with the "big picture" through effective titles, introduction, and conclusion. Do not make broad generalizations in your introduction. 

Suggestions for effective titles:

• State or imply the question that your essay addresses. 
• State or imply, often in abbreviated form, your thesis.

For good closed-form introductions, present something old or something already known, and something new or something the audience did not previously know, that may surprise them. 

Problem equals old information. Thesis equals new information. 

Typical elements of a closed-form introduction:

• An opening attention-grabber. 
• Explanation of the question to be investigated. 
• Background information. 
• A preview of where your paper is heading.

Use occasional open-form elements to create voice in closed-form prose.