Developing a Thesis

Original Thesis

Thesis:

The treatment of racism in movies reflects the racism in society at the time.

Problem: Not too interesting. Seems self-evident

Be more Specific

Revised Thesis: As racism changed over time in America, racism within the justice system in movies changed with it.

Still a bit vague…Does changed mean

increased or decreased?

More Specific and Detailed

• To Kill a Mockingbird• A Soldier’s Story• 12 Angry Men• Philadelphia

Okay….what do these movies have in common? what’s different?

Try Broadening

Discrimination

What about women?

Working Girl…did that have a trial in it?

Other movies?

Take Stock

• I could do more research • Based on what I know now, let’s try to formulate a new thesis• Key terms - discrimination, courtroom dramas, justice

New Thesis

Hollywood has used courtroom dramas to model the ideal of equal justice for all as a means of overcoming discrimination.

Compare

Original Thesis: The treatment of racism in movies reflects the

racism in society at the time.

More Developed Thesis: Hollywood courtroom dramas model the ideal of equal justice for all as a means of

overcoming discrimination.