Writing a Q27.1 thesis

What makes a strong opening thesis for Q27.1? Give a model and explain its components. (8 marks equivalent)

Answer guidance: Weak: "The poem is about love and uses lots of imagery." Strong: "The poet presents love as fundamentally unstable — the imagery of water running through open hands encapsulates a speaker who values what cannot be retained." Components of a strong thesis:

1. A claim about HOW the theme is presented (not just what the poem is about).
2. A reference to a technique or image that encapsulates the reading.
3. A statement about the speaker's relationship to the theme. Do NOT open with: "In this poem…" (weak); "The title suggests…" (generic); "This poem made me feel…" (subjective and vague).