SAMPLE THEME PROPOSAL

(Do not mention characters’ names.)

  • Thesis Statement: Walker reveals that when mothers show favoritism, they create sibling rivalries which thwart childhood development.
  • Topic 1: Some mothers show favoritism.
  • Topic 2: Favoritism creates sibling rivalry.
  • Topic 3: Unhealthy rivalry may hinder development.

I will defend this argument by showing how difficult motherhood can be. No mother is perfect, and some unwittingly play favorites. The damaging ramifications can be seen in Mrs. Johnson’s children. Dee, as the golden child, becomes an egotistical adult. Maggie, on the other hand, becomes a wounded and defeated woman. Mrs. Johnson tries to make it right by giving Maggie the quilts. However, the damage has a been done. Hopefully, now that Mrs. Johnson sees the rivalry she created, she may be able to salvage a relationship with Maggie and reconnect with Dee. Mothers are only human. Good mothers learn and grow. Once the mother matures, her adult children may follow suit. 

SAMPLE CHARACTER PROPOSAL

(Mention character’s name.)

  • Thesis Statement: Because of vanity and pride, Mr. Loisel loses the meager status he tries so hard to preserve.
  • Topic 1: Mr. Loisel’s vainly marries a beautiful woman, even though she has a horrible personality.
  • Topic 2: Mr. Loisel’s pridefully deceives Madame Forrestier, to keep his reputation intact.
  • Topic 3: However, Mr. Loisel’s vanity and pride backfire: his wife loses her beauty, and he loses his status.

I will defend this argument by analyzing Mr. Loisel, who is equally responsible for the couple’s fall. Mathilde often takes the blame, but Mr. Loisel is a flawed character, too. His vanity and pride are subtle, overshadowed by Mathilde’s overt greed. First, he marries Mathilde because of her beauty. It is evident that her personality has never been that great. She was an insatiable child, and she is an insatiable adult. Nevertheless, Mathilde looks good, and Mr. Loisel is the envy of middle-class gentlemen. While Mathilde envies others, Mr. Loisel wants others to envy him. In addition, he suggests lying to Forrestier about the necklace. He is too prideful to ask forgiveness and time to pay it back. In fact, he endures ten years of hard poverty for the sake of pride. In the end, though, his vanity and pride backfire. Mathilde loses her beauty and he loses his reputation. Thus, he is just as much to blame as Mathilde for their ultimate demise.