Thesis Evolution: An Example

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Thesis Evolution An Example

• Initial Thesis In examining representations of
  womens body images in Latino and Western
  culture, many differences are evident.

Evidence Body size differences present in
celebrity images in Western womens magazines
such as Jane Magazine and Latino magazines such
as Latina!.
Complication What specifically are these
differences? Where is the tension in your
claimwhat are you saying that could be argued?
What is your original claim that moves beyond
obvious observations?
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Thesis Evolution An Example

• Revised Thesis The binary between Western and
  Latino perceptions of beauty and body image is
  evidenced by a divisive distinction between
  proper weight and acceptable sizes of
  distinctive female features such as body
  curvature, hip size and buttocks size.

Evidence Distinctions between Latino and Western
eating habits, traditional body representations
in Latino magazines, media representations of
Selma Hayeks sexy curves and J Los
million-dollar ass
Complication Are both of these perceptions of
body image equally accepted? Is one given more
priority? So what (what does this reveal)?
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Thesis Evolution An Example

• Revised Thesis The traditional Latino
  perception of beauty and body image, evidenced by
  a more realistic portrait of womens sizes and
  body curvature, hip size and buttocks size, has
  in recent years given way the Western ideals of
  slimness, as many Latina women are encouraged to
  fix the features that signify cultural
  difference.

Evidence Advice in Latino magazines to slim
down those hips and buttocks, episodes of
Extreme Makeover in which Latina participants
seek to adjust facial and body features to be
more mainstream
Complication Good, but what do we now with JLo
and Selma Hayek? Their features are very Latina,
and also play a major role in their
marketability. Why is it that they are not
seemingly victim to Western ideals? What role
does ecomonic class and celebrity play?
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Thesis Evolution An Example

• Final Thesis The societal pressure for Latino
  women to conform to the Western beauty ideal,
  including fixing features such as body
  curvature, hips, and buttocks size, distinguishes
  itself along lines of class and celebrity Latino
  women in the entertainment industry have the
  luxury of banking on their difference to
  distinguish themselves, while Latino women in
  mainstream society must conform to cultural
  standards that frown upon difference.