1. Craft your paper around your thesis statement. A thesis is a conclusion you draw by reading, thinking, and writing about a topic. Usually, students write toward their thesis in the first draft. (Hint: This means you should plan to write more than one draft.) Once formulated, you need to place that conclusion (thesis), usually what you consider to be your most important insight, in your introduction and allow it to govern the revision of your paper. All of the evidence you cite should support your thesis. Crafting your paper using a thesis statement will focus you on an issue rather than tempting you to rely on summarizing what other people have said. Note: a thesis is not a statement of fact, an opinion, or a question. It is an arguable statement that must be supported with evidence.
  2. Support your thesis statement by using concrete examples from your sources. These sources act as your evidence. However, do not fall into the trap of summarizing your source material. Your job is to analyze each source and demonstrate how they support your thesis.

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