Thesis Statements

Thesis Statements

A good thesis statement

• Is usually one sentence

• Clearly identifies the topic

• Takes a position

• Can be debated

• Gives some details on how it will be supported

• Uses specific and appropriate language

Multiple Choice

Is this a good thesis statement?

Spanish is a pretty good language to learn because it is helpful for lots of real world stu.

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

What about this one?

Blue Mountain Middle School should require school uniforms, which can protect and comfort students physically and socially.

• Yes

• No

Open Ended

What is this thesis missing? Or what is wrong with it?

There are students who emigrated from many countries at our school, including Japan, Ecuador, Poland and Nigeria.

Multiple Choice

What is wrong with this thesis statement?

Franklin D. Roosevelt served the longest term as President, and his New Deal was helpful.

• The topic is not clear.

• It's not debatable.

• There's no claim.

• The claim is too vague.

Multiple Choice

If you're trying to figure out whether a sentence is a thesis or not, use this test: Ask, "Could it be debated? Could someone disagree?" If the answer is yes, you may have a thesis. Which of the following sentences could be a thesis?

• To play tennis, you need a tennis racket, a partner, a net and a ball.

• Outdoor tennis courts may have clay, grass or hard surfaces.

• People all around the world play tennis.

• More adults should play tennis because it increases heart health, brain tissue and flexibility.

Multiple Choice

A strong thesis is specific and gives the reader an idea of the type of information that will follow.

Which revision of this sentence: "Technology has helped society" is better?

• Technology has helped society a lot.

• Technology can be both helpful and harmful.

• Technology has improved daily life by making it easier to communicate, access information and find goods and services.

• Many people think technology is helpful, others think it can be harmful, and some people think it can be both.

Multiple Choice

Don't write a thesis in the first person. (Don't include the word "I.") Trust that the reader already knows that the thesis includes your thoughts. Instead write it in the third person. Which is the better choice?

• I believe that space exploration is important.

• Despite the risks and costs, the US should continue exploring outer space.

• Learning about the universe.

• Many people think that space exploration is important and I am one of them.

Multiple Choice

The more specific and focused you can be in a thesis's single sentence, the better. Make sure not to include unrelated details. Which is better?

• Green Eggs and Ham is an illustrated book published in 1960, and it is a good tool for teaching young children to read.

• Green Eggs and Ham is good for teaching young children to read, and there are two characters in the story.

• Green Eggs and Ham is an effective tool for teaching young children to read because it only uses a few words and because it uses rhyme.

Quick Review

What have you learned?

Multiple Choice

A thesis statement should be___________.

• a statement that can be argued

• a question you answer in the essay

• a statement that is a fact

Multiple Choice

Where does a thesis usually appear?

• As the first sentence in the essay.

• As the second paragraph in an essay.

• As the last sentence of the first paragraph.

• As the last sentence of the essay.

Multiple Choice

A strong thesis must _______.

• use big words

• be something everyone would agree with

• be something a smart person could disagree with

• be hard to find in your essay

Multiple Choice

What immediately follows a thesis in an essay?

• Paragraphs with evidence to support the thesis.

• Paragraphs with additional thesis statements.

Multiple Choice

A thesis needs to be_______.

• Obvious

• An argument

• Too large to support in one essay

• Vague and written in the first person.

Multiple Choice

Which is the strongest thesis?

• This essay is about junk food.

• Candy bars and fries are examples of junk food.

• Junk food should not be served in school cafeterias.

• Children often eat junk food while watching TV.

Poll

Do you think you can write a strong thesis statement about the controversial issue you picked?

• Definitely

• Maybe

• Not yet