Recognizing Thesis Statements

A strong thesis statement should share an opinion, not just a fact. ○ A fact is a true piece of information. A reader cannot disagree with a fact. ○ An opinion expresses what someone thinks or feels. Readers might disagree with an opinion.

High schools should require students take financial literacy and computer literacy courses.

• fact

• opinion

Determine whether the thesis statement is too obvious, controversial, or not defendable:

Mandated state testing, which is used to determine school funding and success, is more harmful than it is beneficial.

• Too obvious

• Controversial

• Not defendable

The thesis statement should express a main idea to links to supporting claims?

• True

• False

How long should a thesis statement be?

• One paragraph

• one essay

• one word

• one sentence

Which is a thesis statement?

• This paper discusses why solar energy is a better source of power than coal.

• What are the benefits of using solar energy instead of coal?

• Solar energy is a better source of power than coal because it is clean and renewable.

A thesis statement is a complete sentence. A thesis statement is not a question.
Which of these is a thesis statement?

• Knowing a foreign language.

• Why should people know a foreign language?

• Knowing a foreign language is a very useful skill.  It can help one advance in a career, relate better to others, and open one's mind to the ideas of another culture.

Which of the following is an example of a thesis statement?

• Chocolate ice cream is the best-selling flavor because it can be found anywhere, is classic, and can be enhanced easily with add-ins.

• Chocolate ice cream is the best.

• My dad and his father before him all ate the classic flavor. I like to add strawberries to mine to enhance the flavor.

• Approximately 99% of ice cream shops carry chocolate ice cream.

A thesis statement states an attitude or opinion on a topic. It doesn't just state the topic, itself. A thesis should not be a fact. Which of these is a thesis statement?

• Michaelangelo’s

  artwork is powerful because of its strong spiritual undertones.

• Michaelangelo’s

  artwork is famous and is admired by many.

• Michaelangelo

  was a great artist in Rome

  during the 1500’s.

Is this a thesis statement?

There should not be school on Friday because, students needs time to catch up on work and have fun.

• Yes.

• No.

Which of the following is a thesis?

• What are they serving for lunch at the Hy-Vee?

• They need to put a Caribou in the Hy-Vee.

• Let me tell you how I would improve the Hy-Vee if I were in charge of that place.

• The Hy-Vee is a great place to have a meal and sit quietly to finish one's homework.