For those who read All American Boys by Jason Reynold, What is a good thesis statement about police brutality?

Answer 1

Hello--I just tutored a student who needed help establishing a thesis statement. Instead of answering your question about the specific book, I'm going to provide you with guidance so that you can answer your own question.

A thesis statement is just what you think is true regarding how the author addressed the topic--in this case, police brutality. So, to find a strong thesis, ask yourself this question: "What was the author, Jason Reynold, trying to show us about police brutality?"

If you don't have an immediate answer to that question, you could think about all the times in the book where police brutality comes up.

1. Where do characters discuss police and violence by police?
2. Does a character who is a police officer say or do something to another person that is violent (either with words or physical actions)?
3. How the characters feel, talk, and react to police in the story?
4. What impacts and consequences are a result of a police officer interacting with a character in the book?

Once you jot down answers to those questions, look for patterns. Return to the big question: What was the author, Jason Reynold, trying to show us about police brutality? Maybe you see a pattern in the effects of police violence on individuals or families or communities. Maybe you can see a pattern in how police violence affects some more than others. Maybe you see a pattern in situations where police violence is more common and how it escalates or why it may happen.

Hope this helps you write an awesome thesis statement!