STAAR Thesis Statements

The 3 main points from your thesis should match. . .

• The first three sentences from your intro

• The 3 body paragraphs

• The three sentences in your conclusion

• The three main parts of the novel

Which one is a proper thesis statement?

• This essay is going to be about the way Jonas changed in The Giver.

• In the novel The Giver, Jonas changes by becoming braver, selfless, and more mature.

The explanation part of your thesis might begin with the words --- or ----.

• you, me

• he, she

• so, therefore

• because, so that

Actions are more powerful than words when speaking to people because you can make them feel better or worse.

_{Is this a good thesis statement?}

• Yes

• No

The ____ = topic + idea/opinion + explanation.

Where should a thesis statement appear?

• first paragraph

• anywhere in the essay

• last paragraph

• the first sentence of every paragraph

Which of the following makes the best thesis statement?

• 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. 

• I am going to explain why many couples in Russia are choosing to live together rather than get married.

• Marriage in Russia

Which sentence would be the better thesis statement for the introductory paragraph of an argumentative 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.

Which of the following is a strong thesis statement?

• Violent video games are harmful for young people to play.

• Violent video games are harmful to young people, and it should be stopped.

• Violent video games are harmful for young people to play because  it promotes a sedentary lifestyle, encourages violence, and can cause children to become desensitized to death.

• Violent video games are harmful for young people because they should be reading a book.

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

• There is no question that cell phones have changed our lives in a very big way.

• While cell phones provide freedom and mobility, they can also become a leash, compelling users to answer them anywhere and at any time.