4.1 Developing and connecting thesis statements and lines of reasoning

5 min read•june 18, 2024

AP English Language ✍🏽

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This guide will go over developing and connecting thesis statements and lines of reasoning.

What is a thesis statement?

A thesis statement is a sentence or two that presents the central argument or main point of a piece of writing. It is the foundation of the argument and guides the development of the essay. The thesis statement should be clear, concise, and arguable, and should be supported by the rest of the essay. A strong thesis statement sets the tone for the essay and helps the writer stay focused and on track.

How do you develop a thesis statement?

Determine the purpose of your essay: What are you trying to argue or prove in your essay? What is the main point that you want to make?
Narrow down your focus: Once you know what you want to argue, you need to narrow down your focus. What specific aspect of your argument are you going to focus on in your essay?
Brainstorm: Write down any thoughts, ideas, or examples that you have related to your topic.
Refine your ideas: Look over your brainstormed list and pick out the strongest ideas. Think about how these ideas can be combined into a single argument.
Write a preliminary thesis statement: Use the information you’ve gathered to write a preliminary thesis statement. It should be clear, concise, and arguable.
Revise: Revise your thesis statement as necessary. Make sure it is strong and clearly states your argument.
Test: Test your thesis statement by seeing if it can be supported with evidence and arguments. If it cannot be supported, revise it until it is strong and arguable.

How do you develop lines of reasoning?

Identify the premises: Identify the key points or arguments that you want to make in your essay. These are the premises that will form the foundation of your lines of reasoning.
Analyze your evidence: Analyze the evidence you have gathered to support your premises. Make sure that the evidence is relevant and strong enough to support your argument.
Connect the premises and evidence: Connect the premises with the evidence in a logical manner. Make sure that the evidence supports the premises and that the premises are connected in a way that makes sense.
Build arguments: Build arguments based on the premises and evidence. Make sure that the arguments are clear and that the evidence supports each argument.
Use transition words: Use transition words to connect the arguments and make the lines of reasoning clear and easy to follow.
Evaluate: Evaluate the strength of your lines of reasoning. Make sure that the arguments are clear and well-supported. If necessary, revise the arguments to make them stronger.
Repeat: Repeat the process for each argument you want to make. Make sure that each argument supports your thesis statement and that the lines of reasoning are logically connected.

How can we connect the two together?

To connect your thesis and lines of reasoning, you need to ensure that the lines of reasoning support your thesis statement and that the thesis statement is reinforced by the lines of reasoning. Here are the steps to connect your thesis and lines of reasoning:

Refine your thesis statement: Make sure that your thesis statement is clear and concise. It should state the main argument of your essay.
Review your lines of reasoning: Review the lines of reasoning you have developed. Make sure that each line of reasoning supports your thesis statement.
Connect the lines of reasoning to the thesis: Make sure that each line of reasoning is connected to the thesis statement. Use transition words and phrases to connect the lines of reasoning and the thesis statement.
Reiterate the thesis: Reiterate the thesis statement in the conclusion of your essay. This helps to reinforce the connection between the thesis statement and the lines of reasoning.
Evaluate the connection: Evaluate the connection between the thesis statement and the lines of reasoning. Make sure that the connection is clear and that the thesis statement is supported by the lines of reasoning.

Example

"The use of plastic bags should be banned because they harm the environment and pose a threat to wildlife."

Here are the lines of reasoning that connect to the thesis statement:

Plastic bags can take hundreds of years to decompose in the environment, causing harm to wildlife and ecosystems.
Plastic bags are a significant source of pollution, affecting air and water quality.
Plastic bags pose a threat to wildlife, as they can be mistaken for food and cause harm or death to animals.

Each of these lines of reasoning supports the thesis statement by providing evidence that plastic bags harm the environment and wildlife. The lines of reasoning are connected to the thesis statement through the use of transition words and phrases, such as "causing harm to wildlife and ecosystems" and "affecting air and water quality." The thesis statement is also reinforced in the conclusion of the essay, where the writer reiterates the argument and emphasizes the importance of banning plastic bags.

Text Sample:

The use of plastic bags has been a controversial issue in recent years, with many people advocating for their ban due to the harm they cause to the environment and wildlife. The thesis statement of this argument is "The use of plastic bags should be banned because they harm the environment and pose a threat to wildlife." This statement is supported by three lines of reasoning. Firstly, plastic bags can take hundreds of years to decompose in the environment, which causes harm to wildlife and ecosystems. Secondly, plastic bags are a significant source of pollution and affect air and water quality. Finally, plastic bags pose a threat to wildlife, as they can be mistaken for food and cause harm or death to animals. Each of these lines of reasoning provides evidence that plastic bags are harmful to the environment and wildlife, and they are connected to the thesis statement through the use of transition words and phrases. The argument is reinforced in the conclusion, where the writer reiterates the importance of banning plastic bags and emphasizes the harm they cause to the environment and wildlife. The strong connection between the thesis statement and the lines of reasoning makes this argument well-organized and convincing, and it provides a compelling case for banning the use of plastic bags.

By connecting the thesis statement and lines of reasoning, you ensure that your essay is well-organized and that the arguments are logically connected. This makes it easier for the reader to understand and follow your argument, and increases the strength of your essay.

Browse Study Guides By Unit

🤔Exam Skills

🥇Unit 1 – Claims, Reasoning, & Evidence

🗂️Unit 2 – Organizing Information for a Specific Audience

👀Unit 3 – Perspectives & How Arguments Relate

🔚Unit 4 – How writers develop arguments, intros, & conclusions

4.0Unit 4 Overview: How writers develop arguments, intros, and conclusions

4.1Developing and connecting thesis statements and lines of reasoning

4.2Developing introductions and conclusions

4.3Adjusting An Argument to Address New Evidence

🎀Unit 5 – How a writer brings all parts of an argument together

👥Unit 6 – Position, Perspective, & Bias