Thesis Statements

Thesis Statements

THESIS STATEMENTS ARE INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT, AS THEY EXPRESS THE CENTRAL ARGUMENT OF YOUR ESSAY.

Thesis statement = claim for the ENTIRE essay/main idea

First thing's first:

• Thesis statements are ONE SENTENCE

• Thesis statements are always at the end of your intro paragraph

• Thesis statements should not include first person (just like the rest of your essay); NO "I believe", "I think", or "In my opinion"

• Thesis statements tell your reader what the essay is about and also helps guide your writing and keep your argument focused

Multiple Choice

Where does a thesis statement specifically occur in an essay?

• Beginning of an essay

• First sentence of body paragraphs

• Last sentence of intro paragraph

Multiple Choice

What is the function of a thesis statement?

• Presents the main argument of an essay

• Presents the main argument of a body paragraph

• Introduces the texts focused on in the essay

Multiple Choice

How is a thesis different from a claim in the body paragraphs (CERERC)?

• A thesis is two sentences whereas claims are only one.

• A thesis captures the main idea of an essay, whereas a claim presents the main idea of a body paragraph

• A claim and thesis are the same thing.

Multiple Choice

Why is this NOT an example of an effective thesis statement: I believe technology is a productive tool because it helps connect people and expands people's scope of knowledge.

• It does not present a specific stance.

• It is NOT one sentence.

• It uses first person.

Multiple Choice

If a writer uses this thesis statement, what will they talk about in their body paragraphs?: Technology is a productive tool because it helps connect people and expands people's scope of knowledge.

• First: Technology is a productive tool. Second: Technology is a productive tool.

• First: Technology helps connect people; Second: Technology expands people's scope of knowledge.

• First: Technology expands people's scope of knowledge; Second: Technology helps connect people.

Open Ended

Write your complete thesis statement here using the sentence frame from below: