Thesis Statements

Thesis Statements

What is a thesis statement?

A thesis statement is the main idea of an essay.  It is often a point you want to argue or support in an essay.

SO

The thesis statement explains to a reader the main idea of the essay, and the writer’s opinion on that idea.

*A thesis statement is usually one sentence.

* It is placed in the introductory paragraph of an essay.

*A thesis statement can be a claim that could be argued or the main idea of the essay.

Thesis statements avoid the following:

*the first person (I believe, In my opinion, etc.)

*unclear language (It seems, etc.)

*attempting two topics at once (even if they seem related). Pick one and stick with it.

A thesis statement

• Should contain a topic (main idea of what you are writing about)

• MAY contain an opinion about the topic (what your attitude is toward the topic) (Argumentative Essays)

A thesis statement should not be too broad.

• Too Broad

The world is a magnificent place to live.

• Better

Good teachers make Mountain City Elementary a fantastic school.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is too broad to be a good thesis statement?

• Mountain City has access to many wonderful places to fish.

• Mountain City is a great place to live.

A thesis statement should not be too general.

• Too general

Mountain City Elementary is a good school. 

• Better

Daily writing practice has led to improved writing skills for the students at Mountain City Elementary.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is too general to be a good thesis statement?

• Music therapy is useful in relieving stress and other conditions.

• Music makes people happy.

A thesis statement should not be a title.

• A title

Cost of Living 

• Better

The cost of living in Mountain City is lower than in most other cities in the United States.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence would not be a good thesis statement because it is a title?

• Good teaching has led to an increase in test scores at Mountain City Elementary.

• Rising Test Scores at Mountain City Elementary

A thesis statement should not be too wordy.

• Wordy

Some problems with Mountain City Elementary School is that it needs a larger playground, an air conditioned gym, an auditorium, restrooms connected to each classroom, running water in the classrooms, and a number of other physical changes to the building.

• Better

Mountain City Elementary needs several changes to its facility to make it a better school.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is too wordy to be a good thesis statement?

• . Abe Lincoln was one of the best presidents the United States has ever known.

• Abe Lincoln was an excellent speaker, the 16th President of the United States, a liberator of slaves, and united the North and South at the end of the American Civil War.

 Thesis statement should not be a a fact.

• A fact

The average temperature for Mountain City in winter is 34 and in summer is 75 degrees. 

• Better

The climate in Mountain City is ideal for outdoor sports.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence would not be a good thesis statement because it is a fact?

• The recycling of one aluminum can saves enough energy to run a TV for three hours.

• Recycling is one of the most important jobs a person can do to protect our environment.