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Understand the importance of a thesis statement and learn how to create strong and effective ones for your academic papers.
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What is a thesis statement? The MOST IMPORTANT SENTENCE in your paper!
Deconstructing a Prompt Read the prompt carefully. Look for key word or concept (idea) What is it asking you to dowith that key word or prompt? To discover what we must do, we should hunt for verbs in the prompt and circle them. Ask yourself the what of the verb and answer it.
Deconstruct the prompt below. Our principal is seeking ideas to improve learning at the middle school with a recent $100,000 donation. Selecting only one idea, write a letter to our principal that explains how your suggestion would benefit student achievement. Include at least two reasons why our principal should choose your idea and support each reason with specific details from your school experience.
Deconstruct the prompt below. Most people remember one day that really was special. Think about a special day you have had and write an essay explaining why that day was so special.
Deconstruct the prompt below. Think of a time when you felt proud of yourself because you learned how to do something new. First, tell what you learned. Next, explain how you did it.
Deconstruct the prompt below. What is your favorite time of year? Explain what your reasons are for liking it.
Deconstruct the prompt below. Write about your best friend. Explain why he or she is special to you.
Avoiding Reader Bias Handwriting (or the physical quality of the handwriting) – the use of printed or cursive writing, shape and size of letters, slant of writing Lightness or darkness of the writing Neatness Length of the piece of writing Presence and size of paragraphs Viewpoint of the writer
Avoiding Reader Bias Score the essay, not the student Adhere to the rubric Personal reactions to the persona or tone of the writing (e.g., “what a cute kid” or “how conceited”) Idiosyncratic preferences or prejudices in style or usage (e.g., the use of “a lot”, or “that is”, clichés Deeply ingrained assessment standards form previous writing instruction experience
What is a thesis statement? • The MOST IMPORTANT SENTENCE in your paper • A road map for the rest of the paper • Lets the reader know the main idea of the paper • Answers the question: “What am I trying to prove?” • Not a factual statement, but a claim • that has to be proven throughout the paper
Role of the thesis statement • The thesis statement should guide your reader through your argument. • The thesis statement is generally located in the introduction of the paper. • A thesis statement may also be located within the body of the paper or in the conclusion, depending upon the purpose or argument of the paper.
Which thesis statement is the most effective for an argument about the need for V-chips in television sets? • Parents, often too busy to watch television shows with their families, can monitor their children’s viewing habits with the aid of the V-chip. • To help parents monitor their children’s viewing habits, the V-chip should be a required feature for television sets sold in the U.S. • This paper will describe a V-chip and examine the uses of the V-chip in American-made television sets.
How do I Know if my Thesis is Strong? • Do I answer the prompt? • Have I taken a position others would oppose? Is it arguable? • Does my thesis pass the “SO WHAT” test? • Does my essay support my thesis specifically and without wandering? • Does my thesis pass the “HOW or WHY” test?
In your Journal choose the best thesis statement from the list below and explain why you feel it answers questions 2, 3, and 5 from the previous slide. • The North and South fought the civil war for many reasons, some of which were the same and some different • While both sides fought the civil war over the issue of slavery, the North fought for moral reasons while the south fought to preserve its own institutions. • While both Northerners and Southerners believed they fought against tyranny and oppression, Northerners focused nobly on the rights of others and the oppression of slaves while Southerners defended only their rights to own property and self-government.
