Expository Essays - Thesis Statement

Expository Essays - Thesis Statement

A thesis statement is the main idea of the essay.

It is your answer to the prompt in one sentence.​

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​A good strategy is to use words from the prompt to help write your thesis statement:

​Example:

​Write an essay to explain the importance of tying your shoes.

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​Thesis: Tying your shoes is critical because....

Multiple Choice

Which thesis statement sounds like it will respond to the prompt below?

"Write an essay to explain the importance of friendship."

• Having people around is nice, but not necessary.

• Friends are important because they help you.

• Co-workers are helpful when you are trying to do your job.

• Introverts often thrive when they are alone.

A good thesis statement will include one or two reasons that will be explained in the body section.

​EX: Why did the chicken cross the road?

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​Thesis: The chicken crossed the road because it needed water and wanted a snack.

Each of these reasons will be the main idea of one of the body paragraphs.

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• Body Paragraph #1 will discuss why the chicken needs water from the other side of the road.

• ​Body Paragraph #2 will discuss what delicious snacks the chicken is hoping for.

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​Thesis: The chicken crossed the road because it needed water and wanted a snack.

Open Ended

Using the thesis statement below, predict what the body paragraphs will be about.

"Receiving support from others can help you get a good job and know how to handle challenges in life."

​Flip the Script (and the thesis)

​You can also turn the sentence around, which may be useful for your thesis or restated thesis!

​We can save the world by reducing carbon emissions.

​Reducing carbon emissions is the best way to save the world.

Open Ended

Flip the Script! Turn this thesis sentence around so that the reason is first.

"The best way to keep a fish alive is by feeding it."

Having two reasons in your thesis is great, but so is having one MAIN reason with two "sub-reasons"

Thesis: "We can save the world by reducing carbon emissions."

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​Topic Sentence 1: One way to reduce carbon emissions is to drive less.

​Topic Sentence 2: Another way to reduce carbon emissions is to improve manufacturing processes.

Thesis: "We can save the world by reducing carbon emissions."

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​Topic Sentence 1: One way to reduce carbon emissions is to drive less. Evidence: For example, ...

​Explanation: This is important because...

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​Topic Sentence 2: Another way to reduce carbon emissions is to improve manufacturing processes.

​Evidence: Chemical plants, for instance, ....

​Explanation: With less manufacturers doing this, the world will be better off.

​The "sub-reasons" will be the main idea of each body paragraph.

Multiple Select

"Following school rules is necessary because it keeps you out of trouble."

Which of the following could be SUB-REASONS that relate to the reason above?

• Teachers won't let you inside without an ID.

• Listening to headphones during class is better than listening to the teacher.

• Walking in the hallway doesn't attract negative attention.

• People think you're cool if you wear clothes with foul language on them.