Evaluating Thesis Statements

What is a thesis statement?

• A general idea of what the essay is about
• A summary of the main idea
• A statement that explains the main idea of an essay
• A suggestion that you should read the essay

Can shows and movies on TV have themes?

• No, only books can.
• TV shows and movies don't fit into any themes.
• They can have themes just like books can.
• They are the only literary works that can have themes.

Which of the following is NOT a theme?

• Compassion helps people grow.

• Money is the root of all evil.

• Hard work pays off.

• Racism

Evaluate the following thesis: The author of "The Border: A Double Sonnet" by Alberto Ríos uses repetition and metaphor to show that the border hurts communities.

• This thesis statement is too specific because it can only apply to texts that mention a border.

• The writer may have a hard time finding evidence for this thesis statement.

• This thesis doesn't state an opinion.

• 

Evaluate the following thesis: The author of The Border: A Double Sonnet, Alberto Rios, uses conflict to show how the border is bad to show that the border is a place that is not fun.

• This thesis statement is too specific because it can only apply to texts that mention a border.

• The writer may have a hard time finding evidence for this thesis statement.

• This thesis doesn't state an opinion.

• 

Evaluate the following thesis: The author of The Border: A Double Sonnet, Alberto Rios, uses conflict to show that even if there are hard challenges, people should try to face and overcome them.

• This thesis statement is too specific because it can only apply to texts that mention a border.

• The writer may have a hard time finding evidence for this thesis statement.

• This thesis doesn't state an opinion.

• 

Evaluate the following thesis: William Shakespeare Wrote the play "Romeo and Juliet."

• This thesis statement is too specific because it can only apply to texts that mention a border.

• The writer may have a hard time finding evidence for this thesis statement.

• This thesis doesn't state an opinion.

• 

Evaluate the following thesis: In the poem, "The Rose that Grew from the Concrete," Tupac Shakur uses symbolism to show that people can grow and blossom even in terrible situations.

• This thesis statement is too specific because it can only apply to texts that mention a rose.

• The writer may have a hard time finding evidence for this thesis statement.

• 
• This thesis statement doesn't include a Writer's Tool.

Evaluate the following thesis: The author of "The Border: A Double Sonnet, Alberto Rios, uses metaphors to show how the author lived his life and how it's going.

• This thesis statement is too specific because it can only apply to texts that talk about a rose.

• The writer may have a hard time finding evidence for this thesis statement.

• 
• This thesis statement doesn't include a theme.

Evaluate the following thesis: The author of The Sneetches, Theodor Seuss Geisel, uses changes in character, conflict, and dialogue to show that people should treat each other equally.

• This thesis statement is too specific because it can only apply to texts that talk about Sneetches.

• The writer may have a hard time finding evidence for this thesis statement.

• 
• This thesis statement doesn't include a theme.