Thesis Statement

Thesis Statements

How to write a solid thesis statement!

THESIS STATEMENTS ARE INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT, AS THEY EXPRESS THE CENTRAL ARGUMENT OF YOUR ESSAY.

Without a thesis, your essay is unfocused.

First thing's first:

• Thesis statements are ONE SENTENCE

• Thesis statements are always at the end of your intro paragraph

• Thesis statements should not include first person (just like the rest of your essay)

• Thesis statements belong in every essay! No matter the genre (literary analysis, research, argumentative, etc)

So, what is a thesis statement?!?!

• Focuses your essay ideas into one sentence

• Presents the topic of your essay and answers the questions asked. 

• Tells your reader what the essay is about and also helps guide your writing and keep your argument focused (kind of like a road map)

Multiple Choice

Where does a thesis statement specifically occur in an essay?

• Beginning of an essay

• First sentence of body paragraphs

• Last sentence of intro paragraph

Multiple Choice

What is the function of a thesis statement?

• Presents the main argument of an essay

• Presents the main argument of a body paragraph

• Introduces the texts focused on in the essay

Multiple Choice

Why is this not an example of an effective thesis statement: I believe technology is a productive tool because it helps connect people and expands people's scope of knowledge.

• It does not present a specific stance.

• It is not one sentence.

• It uses first person.

Multiple Choice

If a writer uses this thesis statement, what will they talk about in their body paragraphs?: Technology is a productive tool because it helps connect people and expands people's scope of knowledge.

• First: Technology is a productive tool. Second: Technology is a productive tool.

• First: Technology helps connect people; Second: Technology expands people's scope of knowledge.

• First: Technology expands people's scope of knowledge; Second: Technology helps connect people.

What is a thesis?

The central point of the essay that appears at the end of the introductory paragraph

(and again somewhere in your conclusion paragraph)

Components of a Thesis

In a sentence or two, combine the following:

Topic + Opinion + Main Ideas (reasons why) = Thesis


ie
Dogs are man's best friend because they are protective, loyal, and loving.

Tips

• Always give an opinion (it is your analysis after all)

• Use specific language 

• Provide structure (through use of reasons why / main ideas)

• Keep in formal! Third person only (no 'I think' or 'I feel' etc)

• No announcements ( ie Do not say, "In this paper I will..." Do not ever write that!)

Let's Practice!

Pick apart this good thesis statement and identify its components.

Multiple Choice

Karate is an excellent sport for school-aged children because it develops patience, discipline, and self-esteem.

What is the topic of this essay?

• karate

• excellent sport

• school-aged children

• patience, discipline, and self-esteem

Multiple Choice

Karate is an excellent sport for school-aged children because it develops patience, discipline, and self-esteem.

What is the opinion that this essay will prove?

• karate

• excellent sport

• school aged children

• patience, discipline, self esteem

Multiple Choice

Karate is an excellent sport for school-aged children because it develops patience, discipline, and self-esteem.

What are the main ideas or reasons why that will be used in this essay to prove the opinion?

• karate

• excellent sport

• school-aged children

• patience, discipline, self esteem

Fun Fact

The order of your main ideas in the thesis is the order they will appear as body paragraphs.

This takes all the guess work out. You, as the author, know exactly what you will write about and when. In this way, thesis statements are not only guiding the reader through your essay but guiding you, the author, as you write.

Multiple Choice

Karate is an excellent sport for school-aged children because it develops patience, discipline, and self-esteem.

What is the main idea of Body Paragraph 1?

• patience

• discipline

• self-esteem

Multiple Choice

Karate is an excellent sport for school-aged children because it develops patience, discipline, and self-esteem.

What is the main idea of Body Paragraph 2?

• patience

• discipline

• self-esteem

Multiple Choice

Karate is an excellent sport for school-aged children because it develops patience, discipline, and self-esteem.

What is the main idea of Body Paragraph 3?

• patience

• discipline

• self-esteem

Karate is an excellent sport for school-aged children because it develops patience, discipline, and self-esteem.

TOPIC - karate

OPINION - excellent sport

MAIN IDEAS - patience (body paragraph 1), discipline (body paragraph 2), self-esteem (body paragraph 3).

Let's look at some bad thesis statements!

Multiple Select

It was not very good.

What is wrong with this thesis statement?

• language not specific

• topic missing

• what does 'not very good' mean?

• main ideas missing

Multiple Select

In the following paragraphs, I will explain why the television rating system is ineffective.

What is wrong with this thesis statement?

• the announcement of "In the following parargraph"

• use of first person "I will..."

• language not specific enough

• the main ideas are missing

Poll

When components are missing from the thesis, the thesis sounds confusing.

If the thesis is confusing, do you think the essay itself will end up being confusing?

• Yes, if the beginning is confusing the odds of the rest being confusing are high.

• No, it should be fine.

Let's Recap!

• There is no essay without a thesis. It provides structure to not only the reader but the writer.

• A thesis should only be a sentence (two at most).
  

• Be specific with your language and keep it formal.

• Include all the components: topic + opinion + main ideas 

• Place this at the end of your intro paragraph and anywhere in your conclusion paragraph.

Multiple Choice

4. Which of the following makes the best thesis statement?

• Coffee is good for many reasons.

• These are the reasons why coffee is good.

• Coffee comes in many different flavors.

• Coffee is useful because it helps you wake up in the morning, has a rich taste, and helps you focus throughout the day.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following has a claim about the power of poetry

• Poetry

• Poetry can be read

• Poetry can be spoken

• Poetry is powerful

Multiple Choice

True or False: The thesis statement is found at the end of an essay.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

A thesis statement is important to an essay...

• Sometimes

• Always

• Never

Multiple Choice

A thesis statement is usually how many sentences?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Multiple Choice

What is the topic in the following sentence?

Summer is the best season because it is warm and the days are long.

• Summer

• Is the best season

• it is warm

• days are long

Multiple Choice

What is the claim in the following sentence?

Summer is the best season because it is warm and the days are long.

• Summer

• Is the best season

• it is warm

• days are long

Multiple Select

What are the reasons in the following sentence?

Summer is the best season because it is warm and the days are long.

• Summer

• Is the best season

• it is warm

• days are long