The lawyer's opening statement
A lawyer opens with a clear claim — 'my client is innocent' — then backs it with evidence, not just repeats it louder. A literary essay works the same way: a sharp thesis, supported by quotes from the text that actually prove your point.
An essay makes an argument
A thesis is an arguable claim, not a fact or summary. Each body paragraph supports it with specific evidence from the text — quotes and details — followed by your analysis.
Theme ≠ plot
Plot is what happens; theme is the idea it explores (e.g. ambition, loss, identity).