User:Hyacinth/Thesis
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Wikipedia articles should contain a thesis statement early in their introductions and listed at the top their talk pages along with a three-point structure derived from that thesis statement. Discussion should go at the bottom of the talk page, linked to the top. The thesis statement may be modified after editing.
- A thesis statement will help clarify introduction
- A thesis statement will help clarify structure
- A thesis statement will help clarify discussion & dispute
For example, if the contrived article "Square" read, "Squares are the worst shape ever," as an introduction this could be adopted as a thesis statement, with the article reorganized around I. Height, II. Width, III. Poor family life. Then if a reader came along and added missing info that the Square donated a portion of its profit from theft & business to charity they would not be obligated to modify the thesis statement or structure on the talk page that is not visible from the article. However, a conscientious editor may edit those to read, "Squares, widely considered the worst shape ever, despite their charitable activities," and add an IVth section titled "Charitable activities".
As may be seen this helps clarify the introduction, and structure, and may help guide discussion and resolves disputes regarding content and the introduction, and structure.
Introduction
[edit]Since the introduction should reflect the structure and information in the article a thesis statement assists this in that it is also required to do so.
Structure
[edit]Since the article should elaborate/explain anything mentioned in the thesis, it may be seen that a thesis helps clarify the article structure reciprocally.
Discussion & Disputes
[edit]Since a thesis will help clarify the introduction, content, and structure it will obviously help clarify disputes regarding those issues since the problem becomes most often should this be in the structure & thesis" not "should it be in one, the other, or both?"
Alternatives
[edit]No alternatives to a thesis statement have been proposed on Wikipedia.