Thesis Titan Slides Thesis Titans
Mastering the Art of the Argument
"Give me a place to stand, and I will move the whole world." — Archimedes
The North Star of Your Essay
It is NOT:
• A simple fact
• A question
• A personal opinion (I think...)
It IS:
• Defensible (can be argued)
• Specific (focuses on one idea)
• Roadmap (previews your points)
The Thesis Formula:
Position + because + Reason 1 + Reason 2
Informational vs. Argumentative
Informational
Explains or analyzes a topic without taking a side.
Example:
"Ambition in Shakespeare's Macbeth leads to destruction because of the protagonist's guilt and the breakdown of order."
Argumentative
Takes a clear stance on a debatable issue and defends it.
Example:
"Society should prioritize moral integrity because it ensures trust and prevents systemic corruption."
The Evidence Excavator
Before you write your thesis, you must dig for the gold. Use your graphic organizer to:
Scan
Find direct quotes or facts.
Connect
Group evidence by theme.
Defend
Build your claim on these facts.
The 15-Minute Sprint
You will read 5 classic literary themes. For each, you must excavate evidence and craft a Titan-level thesis using the formula.
1
Read Text
2
Collect Proof
3
Draft Thesis
Theme Tracer Worksheet Theme Tracer Worksheet
Mastering the Art of the Argument
Name:
Date:
Instructions
Read each of the classic literary passages below. Use the information provided to craft a strong, specific, and defensible thesis statement as requested. Remember the formula: Position + because + Reason 1 + Reason 2.
01
The Poison of Ambition
"Sirius had always known his reach exceeded his grasp, yet he climbed anyway. To stand atop the Spire meant the kingdom would finally see him. But as he looked down, the faces of those he had stepped upon were blurred by the height. His throne was cold, carved from the same stone as the graves of his brothers, and the crown felt like a lead weight upon a brow that would never again know sleep."
Informational Prompt
Analyze how the author uses symbolism to explain the psychological cost of ambition.
My Thesis Statement (Position + because + 2 Reasons):
02
The Weaver’s Knot
"The Oracle spoke of a falling star that would end the line of kings. King Aris, fearing the stars, ordered every telescope burned and every window shuttered. He spent his days in darkness, believing he had outmaneuvered destiny. Yet, in his blindness, he failed to see his own captain’s rising anger. By attempting to avoid the prophecy, Aris created the very shadow that would eventually consume him."
Argumentative Prompt
Argue whether King Aris was truly a victim of fate or a victim of his own choices.
My Thesis Statement (Position + because + 2 Reasons):
03
The Call of the Red Clay
"Elara’s silk gloves were stained with the earth of the forbidden woods. The city walls, once symbols of safety, now felt like the bars of a gilded cage. Every beat of the forest drum resonated in her chest, drowning out the polite chatter of the evening tea. In the wild, she was nameless but whole; in the city, she was known by all but a stranger to herself."
Informational Prompt
Explain how the contrast between the city and the woods characterizes Elara’s internal conflict.
My Thesis Statement (Position + because + 2 Reasons):
04
The Iron Gate
"Julian watched the gala from the servant's entrance. The music was a language he understood but was never allowed to speak. Lord Thorne’s guests debated the price of grain while Julian’s family lived on the dust of the mill. To the guests, the iron gate was a decoration; to Julian, it was a weapon used to keep the starving from the feast."
Argumentative Prompt
Argue whether social class in this passage is maintained by physical barriers or psychological ones.
My Thesis Statement (Position + because + 2 Reasons):
05
The End of Summer
"Leo found the pocket watch in the tall grass—broken, rusted, and silent. He remembered his father's boast that time was a river that never dried up. Looking at the shattered glass, Leo realized his father was wrong. Time wasn't a river; it was a fire that consumed everything in its path. He walked back to the house, no longer looking for his lost toys."
Informational Prompt
Explain how the metaphor of the pocket watch illustrates Leo’s loss of innocence.
My Thesis Statement (Position + because + 2 Reasons):
Evidence Excavator Organizer Evidence Excavator
DIGGING FOR THE FOUNDATION OF YOUR THESIS
1
DIG
Find direct quotes or key details from the text.
2
ANALYZE
Explain what this evidence reveals about the character or theme.
3
UNITE
Group your findings into reasons for your thesis statement.
Text # Raw Evidence (Quotes/Facts) Interpretation (So what?) Thesis Claim (Draft) # # # # #
Pro-Tip:
Strong evidence directly supports your claim. If you can't explain "why" a quote matters, it's not strong enough for your thesis!
Thesis Blueprint Teacher Guide Thesis Titans
Instructional Guide • 30 Minutes
Topic: Thesis Crafting
Level: Grades 9-12
Lesson Objective
"Students will be able to construct defensible informational and argumentative thesis statements using the 2-reason formula by analyzing short thematic texts."
Required Materials
Thesis Titan Slides
Theme Tracer Worksheet
Evidence Organizer
Timer (15-min sprint)
The Thesis Formula
Position + because + Reason 1 + Reason 2
Pacing & Facilitation
00-05 MINS
Introduction & Hook
Project Slide 1 & 2 . Discuss the "North Star" concept. Ask: "Why does a reader need a roadmap?" Introduce the Position + because + 2 Reasons formula early.
05-10 MINS
The Formula & Types
Review Slides 3 & 4 . Clarify Informational (Explaining) vs. Argumentative (Convincing). Model the formula with a simple topic (e.g., "School lunches should be free because...")
10-25 MINS
The Thesis Sprint
Hand out Worksheet & Organizer . Students read 5 short texts. They must find at least 2 pieces of evidence per text before drafting. Monitor for "Specificity" in the two reasons.
25-30 MINS
Share-Out & Feedback
Choose one text and have students share their thesis. Peer critique: "Does it have a clear position? Does it have exactly two reasons?"
Thesis Exemplar Key
Text 01: Ambition (Informational) Exemplar
"The author utilizes the symbolism of the Spire and the 'cold throne' to demonstrate that ambition results in psychological isolation because it creates a physical distance from others and burdens the individual with guilt."
Text 02: Fate vs. Free Will (Argumentative) Exemplar
"King Aris is ultimately a victim of his own choices because his paranoia leads to self-imposed isolation and his fear creates the betrayal he sought to avoid."
Text 03: Nature vs. Society (Informational) Exemplar
"The contrast between the city and woods characterizes Elara's internal conflict because it highlights her hollow social identity and her yearning for authentic freedom."
Text 04: Social Class (Argumentative) Exemplar
"Social class in the passage is primarily maintained through psychological barriers because the 'iron gate' represents a divide in lived experience and a linguistic barrier between the classes."
Text 05: Coming of Age (Informational) Exemplar
