Thesis Statements

Thesis Statements

What is a thesis statement?

• The central idea or main idea of your essay. 

• The position or claim you are arguing. 

How long should my thesis be? Where does it go?

• Your thesis statement should be one sentence.

• It goes at or near the end of your introduction paragraph. 

GIVE ONE GET ONE

SOCIAL MEDIA AND TEENS

Every thesis statement has 3 parts. This is the basic formula:

• Part 1: Make a general statement (Claim).

• Part 2: add "because"

• Part 3: give supporting details (Evidence).

Part 1: Start with a general statement

• Spring is a wonderful season…

• Uniforms are not necessary…

• Technology is helpful…

Part 2: Add “Because” 

• Spring is a wonderful season because…

• Uniforms are not necessary because…

• Technology is helpful because…

Part 3: Give 3 details that will support the opinion or claim you are going to discuss in your essay. 

• Spring is a wonderful season because the weather gets warmer, the flowers start blooming, and baseball season starts. 

• Uniforms are not necessary because they are expensive, they don’t let students be unique, and they are difficult to clean.

• Technology is helpful because it makes us more efficient, it entertains us, and it helps us learn about thesis statements.

The thesis statement is your road map to the essay. Write about what you claim in your thesis, and don’t distract your audience from your position. 

Let's try it together!

GIVE ONE GET ONE

PICK A SIDE, BUILD YOUR THESIS

Multiple Choice

What is the correct formula for a basic thesis statement?

• Evidence, Because, Claim

• Claim, Because, Evidence

• Evidence, Claim, Because

Step One: What is the question you’re being asked about the topic? Take your stance.  Using the Social Media topic from our ODW Baseline, our question is 

• “What is the positive or negative impact of social media on kids and teens?” 

• My stance is: Social Media has a positive impact on kids and teens. 

Step Two: Find your reasons (Evidence) - you can get info from anywhere, but your sources need to be credible. These examples come from Procon.org: 

• Reason 1 - Social Media helps students do better at school. 

• Reason 2 - Social media allows people to improve their relationships and make new friends.

• Reason 3 - Social media facilitates face-to-face interaction.

Step Three: Put it together!

• Take information from step one and step two and combine into one sentence. 

• Social Media has a positive impact on kids and teens because Social Media (1)helps students do better at school, (2) allows people to improve their relationships and make new friends, and (3)facilitates face-to-face interaction.