The Thesis Statement

The Thesis Statement

Creating the Main Idea of your essay

The next slide will be a template for you to draw into your composition book, along with language function tools needed to make your notes.

​

​

The Thesis Statement

Making Notes​

​

What is a Thesis Statement?

A thesis statement is the main idea of a piece of writing. It's typically one or two sentences that sum up the main points/argument and showcase the reason for writing. In most cases, the thesis statement is located at the end of the introduction and or the end of the first paragraph. It's one of the most important component

The Thesis Statement

​What is the Purpose of a Thesis Statement?

The point of an essay's thesis statement is to show what the main idea or argument is. Without it, the reader can't understand the arguments, examples, and information the writer gives throughout the essay. For example, if a writer gave several facts about football but didn't connect them to a thesis statement, the reader wouldn't know what the facts were all about. But if the writer wants to show that a certain football quarterback is the best in their league, they can start with that thesis statement and show it with multiple claims and supporting evidence, like stats and other important facts about the QB.

The Thesis Statement

​What is the Purpose of a Thesis Statement?

Without a thesis statement, a paper would consist of random facts and ideas. A thesis statement offers an end goal and the structure for how a writer will reach that end goal. Without a thesis statement, a paper is similar to giving someone directions in random order with no destination in mind.

The Thesis Statement

Multiple Choice

How does a well written thesis statement help the reader?

• It effectively explains both sides of a particular issue.

• It tells the main point of the essay as well as the writer's position.

• It summarizes the issues raised in the essay.

• It introduces the topic to be covered in the essay.

Match

Match the following

• Thesis Statement

• The Point of a Thesis Statement

• The Danger of Not Having a Thesis Statement

The main idea of a piece of writing.

To show what the main idea or argument is.

A paper would consist of random facts and ideas.

• The main idea of a piece of writing.

• To show what the main idea or argument is.

• A paper would consist of random facts and ideas.

​Thesis Statement vs. Statement of Fact

A thesis statement is an overarching argument that a writer intends to prove, but when a thesis is presented, there will be statements of facts, otherwise known as claims, that will help support that thesis.

The Thesis Statement

​Thesis Statement vs. Statement of Fact

For example, if a writer wants to talk about later start times for high school students, the thesis could read: later start times are more beneficial to high school students because of scientific research that connects to teenage physiology.

​

This sentence is the thesis statement. It's the main argument the writer wants to prove. From here, the writer will make claims/statements of facts that will help prove the main argument in favor of later start times.

​

The Thesis Statement

​Thesis Statement vs. Statement of Fact

For example, the writer could make the following claims to support their thesis:

• More sleep helps teens process what they learned the day before.

• More sleep gives teens more energy to learn the following day.

• More sleep helps teen bodies grow and process emotions which will provide them with a better quality of life.

After the writer adds these claims to their writing, they will also add statistics and other information from case studies to proves the claims. These claims will ultimately help the writer prove their overall thesis for later start times, as claims and the thesis statements go hand in hand to make the writer's argument.

The Thesis Statement

Examples of Thesis Statements

When it comes to an understanding a thesis statement, the reader needs two things from the writer:

• The thesis statement: a clear objective/argument

• A line of reasoning: all the facts are presented in an organized way

​The reader can fully understand the writer's point of view when presented clearly and organized.

The Thesis Statement

Multiple Choice

Identify the thesis in the paragraph that follows:

There are many who believe that healthcare is a basic human right. I strongly disagree. Life, food, shelter, and the right to pursue happiness (whatever that means) may be human rights, but little else. But when we talk about whether this country should have universal healthcare for its citizens, we are not discussing basic human rights. No, access to universal healthcare is instead the moral obligation of any society that dares to call itself 'civilized.'

• But when we talk about whether this country should have universal healthcare for its citizens, we are not discussing basic human rights.

• Life, food, shelter, and the right to pursue happiness (whatever that means) may be human rights, but little else.

• There are many who believe that healthcare is a basic human right.

• No, access to universal healthcare is instead the moral obligation of any society that dares to call itself 'civilized.'

Examples of Thesis Statements

• Playing soccer has many benefits for school-aged children, as it provides an opportunity for gaining teamwork skills, practicing an active lifestyle, and building social skills.

• The most difficult class in school is math, because it requires many practice problems, includes boring reading material, and can be very confusing.

• Reducing a person's carbon footprint has become a focus in recent years, and if a person wants to limit their impact on the planet, they can recycle, carpool or take public transportation, and practice energy efficiency in their home.

The Thesis Statement

How to Write a Thesis Statement

A thesis statement is typically a sentence or two in length, as it aims to condense the main argument/idea of a piece of writing into a chewable bite.​

​

When creating a thesis statement, the direction is key, and the writer should ensure their point is clear.

​

The Thesis Statement

Multiple Choice

Pick out the thesis in the paragraph that follows:

Van Gogh, Edgar Allen Poe, and Oscar Wilde were all great artists who died penniless. They are far from the only ones. In fact, to compile a list of all of the artists now considered classics who never made much money from their work would take ages. Given this, we should perhaps assume that the path to making great art requires you to be penniless. But this is a human flaw of romanticism triumphing over reasoning. Success in art requires the same as success in life - good business sense and luck. It's mere coincidence that many artists rarely have either.

• Van Gogh, Edgar Allen Poe, and Oscar Wilde were all great artists who died penniless.

• In fact, to compile a list of all of the artists now considered classics who never made much money from their work would take ages.

• But this is a human flaw of romanticism triumphing over reasoning.

• Success in art requires the same as success in life - good business sense and luck.

How to Write a Thesis Statement

Even though it's not required, some students and writing teachers like to write the thesis statements for persuasive essays in a "should...because" format. This method lets you clearly state your position and explain why you have that position.

​

Example:

Students writing an essay should follow a strict timeline because it allows time for editing the final product, which will result in a better grade.​

​

The Thesis Statement

Multiple Choice

A should ... because format for thesis statements in persuasive essays _____.

• allows you to reach a conclusion on your position

• allows you to state your position clearly as well as your reasoning for that position

• allows you to explore both sides of a given topic

• allows you to place your thesis statement later in your essay without causing confusion

Assessing Your Thesis

There are a few things that a thesis statement should accomplish. Your thesis will be the central point of your essay; everything else that you write in your paper should revolve around and directly support your thesis. Here are two key points to remember:

1. Don't make any points in your thesis that won't be in the rest of your paper.

2. Don't make your thesis so vague that it doesn't really communicate anything of substance.

​

The Thesis Statement

Assessing Your Thesis

Your thesis statement should be specific, but not so overly detailed that it can't be one concise sentence. If you end up with a thesis statement that is so overly detailed that it's a bit cumbersome, it may be a good idea to edit it. You don't need to include every major point from your paper in your thesis statement - just the major point or points that make up the heart of your argument. Remember that your thesis should serve as a guide for both you and your reader. A good thesis can help you stay on track. As you write your body paragraphs, you can ask yourself whether each point directly supports your thesis. Your thesis will also help guide the reader so that he or she knows where your essay is headed and won't be confused about your main point.

​

The Thesis Statement

Multiple Choice

Why is a thesis statement the most important component of an essay?

• It effectively explains both sides of a particular issue.

• It tells the main point of the essay as well as the writer's position.

• It summarizes the issues raised in the essay.

• It introduces the topic to be covered in the essay.

Sign in - Google Accounts

You can open this webpage in a new tab.

Copy link

Open in new tab

Open Ended

Share your summary that you composed in your composition book.