Hi,
I was wondering if anyone could help me with how to generate thesis statements for the Section 2 essay?
Thanks in advance.
Hey there!
Since Section 2 is ridiculously flexible as you can pick one question to answer out of six options, you may generate a general thesis statement beforehand and change it slightly to your chosen question.
To create a thesis statement in the first place- you must agree with the question (unless the question asks you to disagree with the given statement but good chance they'll ask you to agree with the given statement). Your agreement must be short and sweet and straight to the point. If possible, make some reference to the art world and their impact on the artist's mind and practice. Remember to use high modality and persuasive language- don't be on both sides of the fence. Pick a side and stick to it.
For example, if the question was 'Examine how artists have used artworks to challenge social and political views in innovative ways' (this is from the 2017 paper)
- breakdown what they're asking you to do; in this case 'EXAMINE'
- what have artworks and/or artists have specifically done; in this case 'HOW ARTISTS HAVE USED ARTWORKS TO CHALLENGE VIEWS'
- what unique perspective have the artwork and/or artist has done; in this case 'IN INNOVATIVE WAYS'
To create a thesis for this given question, it must be CLEAR! Using pretentious language may help you later on in your body paragraphs but avoid doing this in your thesis. Just go straight to the point. Integrate parts of the question within your thesis statement.
You may write a thesis similar to this:
'Modern and postmodernist artists have presented thought provoking political and social ideas through their groundbreaking artworks'.
> Breaking down my thesis statement
- mentions artists
- mentions political and social views
- 'EXAMINE' and 'IN INNOVATIVE WAYS' parts of the question = acknowledged through 'presented' and 'their groundbreaking artworks'
Writing thesis statements in VA is kind of similar to rewriting the question BUT actually using high modality language and agreeing/disagreeing with the given statement. Hope this makes sense in some way...