Effective Strategies for Teaching Thesis Statements

Steve Heimler shares his journey in teaching students to write strong thesis statements, emphasizing the importance of a good thesis as the foundation of arguments. He outlines a three-step process: showing students examples of good theses, helping them select the best thesis, and guiding them in writing their own using specific formulas. Heimler also offers additional resources for teaching thesis writing and other skills in AP History classes.

Why did the teacher emphasize the importance of writing strong thesis statements?

• Because it helps in writing longer essays.

• Because it is the foundation of good arguments.

• Because it is required for passing the AP exam.

• Because it impresses the College Board.

What is the first step in teaching students to write good theses?

• Giving students a thesis writing formula.

• Letting students write their own theses.

• Showing students examples of good theses.

• Discussing the importance of thesis statements.

What are the two rules for a good thesis according to the video?

• It must be creative and original.

• It must be concise and to the point.

• It must be historically defensible and establish a line of reasoning.

• It must be long and detailed.

What does it mean for a thesis to be historically defensible?

• It must be supported by multiple sources.

• It must be something that someone can disagree with.

• It must be written in a formal tone.

• It must be based on historical facts.

What is the purpose of establishing a line of reasoning in a thesis?

• To make the thesis more complex.

• To make the thesis longer.

• To include more historical vocabulary.

• To show briefly how the claim will be proven.

What is the intermediate step before having students write their own theses?

• Giving them a thesis writing formula.

• Showing them examples of good and bad theses.

• Discussing the importance of thesis statements.

• Having them pick the best thesis from given examples.

Why is the intermediate step of picking the best thesis helpful?

• It helps students understand the rules better.

• It makes the class more interactive.

• It saves time in the long run.

• It allows students to practice writing.

What is the John Irish Formula for writing a thesis?

• Summarize the main points and conclude.

• Write a thesis and then provide evidence.

• Restate important parts of the prompt because A and B.

• Although X because A and B therefore Y.

What is a simpler formula for writing a thesis?

• Write a thesis and then provide evidence.

• Restate important parts of the prompt because A and B.

• Although X because A and B therefore Y.

• Summarize the main points and conclude.

What additional resources are mentioned for teaching thesis writing?

• Textbooks.

• Teacher resource packs.

• Online courses.

• Workshops.