“Home again, home again, jiggety-jig” – English Nursery Rhyme
Why Revisit the Thesis?
As part of the summing up duties that the conclusion paragraph must accomplish, the revisited thesis statement repeats the original thesis statement from the introduction. There is, however, a subtle difference in tone and point of view between the original thesis statement and the revisit.
The point of view of the original thesis statement is, “This essay is going to demonstrate or prove something.” The revisited thesis statement announces, “In this paper, we have shown or proven something to you.” The intention here is to create a “full-circle” effect and to remind the reader of the ideas they have explored in your essay.
Be careful not to repeat your original thesis statement word-for-word. To your reader that would seem to be very forced and even seem lazy. We recommend that, before you compose your revisit, you reread the original thesis, then decide how you will rephrase it in a way that is appropriate for the conclusion of the essay.
Look at the following example from a response to literature essay:
Original Thesis Statement:
Percy Shelley’s poem, “Ozymandias” might be considered a stark warning to today’s leaders.”
The Revisit:
A careful reading of Percy Shelley’s classic sonnet, “Ozymandias” has revealed that the poet was deliberately crafting a stark warning to the leaders of any age. Today’s leaders should take notice”
Notice the difference in tone. Both the original thesis statement and the revisit state the same, basic main idea, but the revisit is somewhat more resolute. This is because the writer has dedicated the essay to explaining, demonstrating, and proving her thesis. She’s earned the right to sound confident.
Here’s another example from a persuasive essay:
Original Thesis Statement:
Because so many students lack basic computer skills, it might be wise to consider budgeting funds for the purchase of 100 Chromebooks next year.
The Revisit
Acknowledging that our school’s collective computer literacy is severely lacking is one thing, but, as we’ve seen, a commitment by our administration to purchase 100 Chromebooks this year would truly demonstrate that we are ready to tackle this problem.
Again, the revisit is written with the understanding that much has been discussed and proven. There is a tone of confidence befitting the end of a well-argued composition.
Thesis Statement Revisited Models
The following revisit models will be shown in relation to the original thesis statements from the introduction. For context, the original thesis statement will be shown transitioning from the hook and into the POPs. Likewise, the revisit will be shown transitioning from the echo and into the POPs revisited.
Model 1
Type of essay: response to literature
The prompt: In a text-evidence-based, multiple-paragraph essay, give your reaction to Denise Levertov’s short poem, “Moon Tiger”.
First the thesis statement from the introduction
…Perhaps it was because we were so young. Perhaps it was because we were so small compared to everything else. In the short poem, “Moon Tiger”, Denise Levertov explores this theme of the fantastic, and sometimes even delusional nature of childhood imagination. In the nighttime world, she creates, the moonlight…
Now the thesis statement revisit from the conclusion
…In the mind of a child, the normal becomes bizarre and the safe and secure are transformed into the treacherous. As we’ve seen, Denise Levertov portrays this phenomenon expertly in “Moon Tiger”. By transforming simple moonlight passing through blinds into…
Notes
A quick, one-sentence restatement of the thesis statement from the introduction, beginning with the phrase, “As we’ve seen”. The tone moves from “we will discuss” to “we have explored”. The revisit contributes to the sense that the paper has gone full-circle.
Model 2
Type of essay: Expository/Argumentative
The prompt: Pitbulls are commonly considered to be unpredictable and even vicious animals. They are frequently portrayed in the media as enough of a societal threat that they should be subject to stringent leashing requirements and prohibited from public spaces such as playgrounds and dog parks. Do you believe that pit bulls should be singled out and restricted because of their vicious natures?
First the thesis statement from the introduction
…According to Rogers, many of her most docile and loyal dogs are, in fact, American Bull Terriers or pitbulls. “They really are a very misunderstood breed”, says Rogers. Rogers is not alone in her defense of the breed. The evidence shows that despite frequent attempts by the media and public at large to portray pitbulls as vicious and savage animals, they are in fact a friendly and loyal breed, and any attempt to treat them as especially dangerous would be irrational and unfair. This paper will show that despite popular conceptions…
Now the thesis statement revisit from the conclusion
...But if you put away your preconceptions and prejudices, you will understand what professional dog trainer, Camryn Rogers means when she says pitbulls are a misunderstood breed. This paper has shown that, despite popular beliefs, American Bull Terriers are not vicious animals; they are a loyal and friendly breed of dog. We learned that these dogs are…
Notes
The thesis of the essay is strongly reiterated with the phrase, “this paper has shown”, which is another way of saying, “I made a promise and I kept it”. The tone moves from “we will discuss” to “we have explored”. The revisit contributes to the sense that the paper has gone full-circle.
Model 3
Type of essay: Expository/Argumentative
The prompt: People have a natural, almost primal fear of rattlesnakes. Often the first reaction to seeing a rattler in a residential area is panic and fear. In areas such as suburban Southern California, is it possible for rattlesnakes and humans to coexist with one another?
First the thesis statement from the introduction
…Does the rattling cause these residents to panic? Not really. The sound creates instead a healthy sense of cautiousness, curiosity, and respect. Human beings and rattlesnakes seem a truly unlikely pair, but in many suburban regions of Southern California, Arizona and Nevada people and rattlers have coexisted in most unexpected ways. You might even call the relationship downright amicable. This paper will focus on examples of…
Now the thesis statement revisit from the conclusion
…Do our phobias merit the removal or extinction of this creature? The fact is, humans and rattlesnakes can and should live in proximity to each other. As we’ve learned, rattlers are…
Notes
Short and sweet. The thesis statement from the introduction is restated, albeit in a truncated manner. The revisit, while brief, still contributes to the sense that the paper has gone full-circle.
Model 4
Type of essay: response-to-literature
The prompt: In a multiple-paragraph essay discuss a recurring theme that is addressed in Smokey Robinson’s two songs, “The Tracks of My Tears” and “The Tears of a Clown”.
First the thesis statement from the introduction
…The Clash’s Mick Jones isn’t quite as extreme as Jimi’s desperate Joe, but still sounds disappointed when he asks, “Did you stand by me? No, not at all. Did you stand by me? No way.” Of course, another common reaction to heartbreak is good old-fashioned repression and denial. Such is the case in Smokey Robinson’s songs, “The Tracks of My Tears” and “The Tears of a Clown”. These songs, both lyrically and musically, explore the feelings men who wear masks of happiness to hide deep heartache caused by being rejected by the ones they love. This paper will focus not only on how these songs…
Now the thesis statement revisit from the conclusion
…Perhaps the most common is the reaction played out by Smokey Robinson’s jilted lovers in “The Tracks of My Tears” and “The Tears of a Clown”. An analysis of both sad cases, reveals that the men in question each wear masks of happiness that belie their repressed melancholy. Robinson deftly employs…
Notes
The thesis of the essay is reiterated with the phrase, “An analysis of both sad cases”, which is another way of saying, “I made a promise and I kept it”. The tone moves from “we will discuss” to “we have explored”. The revisit contributes to the sense that the paper has gone full-circle.
Model 5
Type of essay: persuasive/argumentative
The prompt: Our principal announced recently that, based on a recommendation from our school’s booster club, she would likely be setting aside most of our $500,000 in State bond funds for the purchase of football stadium lights. Advocates of his plan are excited by the prospect of finally being able to enjoy some Friday night games; they believe stadium lights will create a sense of school tradition and spirit. Opponents contend that diverting these funds would hurt the school’s academic programs and that this money would be more wisely spent on purchasing new textbooks, hiring more teachers, or creating a computer lab. In multiple-paragraph, evidence-based essay, argue why the available funds should be used to purchase football stadium lights, as our principal and boosters wish, or whether they should be set aside for our academic program.
First the thesis statement from the introduction
…The proposed cost of such a project? $488,000 — almost the entire amount that we will be receiving in bond money. While football stadium lights certainly would create a “Friday Night Lights” atmosphere and increase our school spirit, this is not how we should be spending this money. A much better long-term investment would be to use these funds to improve our school’s academic programs. There are several ways we could do this. Our first priority should be to use some of the funds to…
Now the thesis statement revisit from the conclusion
…It’s hard to argue that a “Friday Night Lights” atmosphere would be very popular at Whitney and quite a bit of fun as well. Having said this, however, it seems clear that we need to have the sobriety of mind to step back from the allure of nighttime games and embrace what Whitney High School really needs — an improved academic program. It’s been established that our shortage of quality teachers is …
Notes
The thesis statement form the introduction is restated, albeit in a truncated manner. The tone moves from “we will discuss” to “we have explored”. The revisit contributes to the sense that the paper has gone full-circle.
