Thesis Statement

The thesis statement should express a main idea that links to supporting points

• True
• False

How long should a thesis statement be?

• One paragraph
• One essay
• One sentence
• One word

What is the purpose of a thesis statement?

• To be a pretty sentence
• To be a sentence in your introduction
• To introduce your paper to the reader
• To explain what your essay will be about

Claim + _________= thesis

• opinion
• reason
• thesis
• paragraphs

Where should a thesis statement appear?

• first paragraph, end of the paragraph
• anywhere in the essay
• last paragraph
• the first sentence of every paragraph

A thesis should never...

• ask a question 
• give two reasons 
• state your opinion 
• be short and to the point

A thesis should never...

• say, "This paper will be about"
• have reasons to support the claim

Is this a strong thesis statement?

Martin Luther King’s greatness stemmed from his ability to harness the moral indignation of whites and blacks alike through the power of non-violent protest in his actions of civil disobedience, the dignity of the Biblical rhythm in his speeches, and the pure power of right over wrong that his message conveyed.

• Yes

• No

Which sentence would be the better thesis statement for the introductory paragraph of an essay?

• The Hunger Games is a science fiction adventure film based on the novel of the same name by Suzanne Collins.

• The Hunger Games is a morality tale about the dangers of a political system that is dominated by the wealthy.

A thesis statement should not directly announce your topic by using phrases such as, "This essay will talk about ........"
Which of the following makes the best thesis statement?

• A. Even though marriage is a strong and respected institution in Russia, more and more people are choosing to live together before marriage, despite the cultural pressures.
• B. I am going to explain why many couples in Russia are choosing to live together rather than getting married.
• C. Marriage in Russia.