Begin developing your thesis statement by identifying important information, ideas, and arguments related to your main point. When you first explored a conversation (see Chapter 2), you asked questions to learn about your subject. Review those questions and examine them for key words and phrases. Then look through your notes to see how your sources address those questions or use those key words and phrases. Consider the following example, which shows a list of initial questions and important information, ideas, and arguments found in sources that address the challenge of finding jobs for returning veterans.

You can use the key words and phrases you’ve identified in your questions and notes in the various versions of thesis statements that you try out.