The Thesis

A thesis is your own argument, not fact.

Topic Question: What is it you want to explore and why do you think it's important?

how do I argue about superhero movies?

There are many ways to look at superhero movies

Bad Ways

• Spiderman is "better" than Batman (personal taste)
• Spiderman is a reflection of the director's life because he was bitten by a spider once.

Better Ways

• X-Men criticizes and reflects on our culture
• Superhero movies show us how to behave in society.
• Superhero movies teach us to trust authority.
• Superhero movies show people's desire to conquer their fears.

Topic: Superhero Movies
Question? Why are superhero movies so popular in today's culture?

Even further: What factors have made today's culture want superhero movies more than past cultures?

Fact: Superhero movies are really popular right now.
Argument: The popularity of superhero movies is a statement of our need to feel safe in a post 9/11 world.

You should also find research on how someone would oppose your argument: without opposition, you have no argument.

Opposition: Superhero movies are the result of a dumbed-down culture that doesn't want to "think" when they go to the movies.

So, we put the two together:

While some critics say that superhero movies are escapist works of fiction popular in a brainless culture, in actuality the popularity of superheroes is tied to our need to feel safe in a post 9/11 world.

So what? Why should someone care about how I feel about superhero movies?

Therefore, while superhero movies can be escapist, it is important to realize the nostalgia found in the idea of a"better world" with a clear "hero" to assure us of our safety.

Keywords in my thesis:

• escapist
• safe
• violence
• post 9/11 world
• nostalgia
• hero/leader

What I will not do in my paper:

• Give a long historical account of superhero comics/movies
• Give advice on how to fully enjoy superhero movies
• Describe movies in detail without offering analysis
• Let my readers know what they can look forward to in the superhero genre

Remember, while this is an argument, not a summary of your subject!