Prompts, Thesis Statements and Topic Sentences

Prompts, Thesis Statements and Topic Sentences

Learn how to properly analyze a writing prompt and create the best thesis statements and topic sentences for essay writing.

Prompts and Thesis Statements

When you read a prompt make sure you understand what the prompt is telling you to write about. That is called the topic.

FOR EXAMPLE:

Prompt: Write an explanatory essay on the pros and cons of attending school online. Be sure to use evidence from the text.

The topic is the pros and cons of attending school online

Multiple Choice

Identify the topic of the following prompt:

Prompt: Write an argumentative essay on why students should or should wear uniforms.

• What students should wear

• Uniforms are good

• why students should or should not wear uniforms

• why students should wear clothes

Multiple Choice

Identify the topic of the following prompt:

Write an explanatory essay on the effects of global warming.

• global warming

• what is global warming

• how does global warming affect people

• the effects of global warming

Prompts and Thesis Statements

When creating your thesis statements, start off with using the words from the prompt. It's the easiest and safest way to stay on topic.

FOR EXAMPLE:

Write an explanatory essay on how to relieve stress. Be sure to use evidence from the text.

Thesis Statement:

There are ways to relieve stress.

OR

There are many different ways to relieve stress.

Multiple Choice

Which thesis statement is correct for the following prompt?

Prompt: Today many experts claim that technology is ruining the minds of young people. Write an explanatory essay on the pros and cons of youth using technology.

• There are many pro and cons to youth using technology.

• Not getting enough school is con with youth using technology.

• Using technology has many advantages.

• Youth using technology helps them learn.

Multiple Choice

Which thesis statement is correct for the following prompt?

Prompt: Watching television can sometimes be helpful but there are times when it is not. Write an informational text on the benefits and drawbacks of television use.

• Watching too much television can be bad for you.

• Watching television is fun.

• I think watching television can be good and bad.

• There are benefits and drawbacks to watching television.

Multiple Choice

Which thesis statement is correct for the following prompt?

Prompt. According to some people, elderly drivers should be required to reapply for their driving licenses because with age comes diminished vision, hearing, and reaction time. Write an explanatory essay on why elderly drivers should be required to reapply for driving licenses.

• Elderly drivers cannot see and should not be able to drive.

• Elderly drivers are dangerous.

• Elderly drivers should be required to reapply for driving licenses for various reasons.

• With age comes diminished vision, hearing and reaction time.

How To Write Topic Sentences

When composing your topic sentences, use the words and phrases of your thesis statement. Also consider the information given in your passage set.

FOR EXAMPLE:

Thesis Statement: There are many benefits to recycling.

Topic Sentence 1: Recycling is beneficial in saving energy.

Topic Sentence 2: A benefit of recycling is less pollution.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is the correct Topic Sentence 1 for the thesis statement?

Thesis: According to the texts, many students prefer face to face learning for different reasons.

• Students prefer face to face learning for many reasons

• Students prefer face to face learning because they are more focused.

• There are different reasons why students prefer face to face learning.

• Face to face learning is best for students.

Open Ended

Based on the Topic Sentence 1 from the previous slide, now work on Topic Sentence 2.

Thesis: According to the texts, many students prefer face to face learning for different reasons.

Now write Topic Sentence 2 below.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is the correct Topic Sentence 1 for the thesis statement?

Thesis: In the passage set, most parents find that having their kids participate in sports has many advantages and disadvantages.

• There are many sports that kids like.

• Many parents note the advantages of their kids participating in sports.

• Many parents engage their kids in sports.

• Parents highlight fitness as a benefit to having their kids in sports.

Open Ended

Based on the Topic Sentence 1 from the previous slide, now work on Topic Sentence 2.

Thesis: In the passage set, most parents find that having their kids participate in sports has many advantages and disadvantages.

Now write Topic Sentence 2 below.



Multiple Choice

Which of the following is the correct Topic Sentence 1 for the following thesis statement:

Elderly drivers should be required to reapply for drivers license for various reasons.

• Elderly drivers should be required to reapply drivers license because with age their vision diminishes.

• Driving is dangerous when you're old.

• When people get old they should not be driving.

• Elderly drivers lose their hearing so they should not drive.

Topic Sentences & Body Paragraphs

• Your topic sentences must match your body paragraphs . . .

• And your body paragraphs must match your topic sentences.

• Your topic sentence is the label for your body paragraph. It tells what is in your body paragraph.

• Your topic sentence is like a food label. If the label says "peanuts" then there should only be "peanuts" in the bag.

Multiple Choice

Based on the topic sentence below, what should be in your body paragraph?

Topic Sentence: There are many reasons why experimentation on animals is wrong and should be stopped.

• Ways to experiment on animals.

• Different kinds of animals found in labs.

• The number of experiments made on animals.

• Various reasons why experimentation on animals is wrong.

Multiple Choice

Based on the topic sentence below, what should you write about in your body paragraph?

Topic Sentence: One reason parents should give their children allowance is because it teaches them responsibility.

• How allowance teaches kids responsibility

• Many reasons why kids should receive allowance

• The number of parents who give their children allowance

• Different reasons why parents do not give their kids allowance.

Introductions

An introduction paragraph should be written in the following order:

1. Hook

2. Bridge

3. Thesis Statement

A hook is sentence to get the reader's attention. It should be the very first sentence of your essay.

A bridge is one or two sentences that connects hook to the thesis. It should explain the hook and how it relates to the thesis statement.

Your thesis statement is the same sentence you composed from your prompt.

How To Write a Hook

A hook CANNOT be a question.

A hook CAN be:

- an interesting fact

- a quote from the passage set

- a bold statement about the topic

- a definition of word related to the topic

Multiple Choice

Which of the following can be used as a hook:

• Did you know that most high school students must have volunteer hours?

• Volunteers are an important part of many great efforts.

• I believe volunteers are important.

• My brother was an volunteer at an hospital once.

Don't Forget!

Before the test,

-get plenty of rest the night before

-eat a good breakfast

-come to school on time

- DON'T STRESS :)