Thesis Statements

1. Thesis Statements

2. What is a thesis statement? • A thesis statement is the main idea of an essay. • It is often a point you want to argue or support in an essay. SO • The thesis statement explains to a reader the main idea of the essay, and the writer’s opinion about that idea.

3. Road Map

4. A thesis statement is usually one sentence. • It is often placed in the introductory paragraph of an essay. • A thesis statement is a claim that can be argued. • The essay will contain evidence and opinions that support the argument.

5. Thesis statements avoid the following: • the first person (I believe, In my opinion, etc.) • unclear language (It seems, etc.) • attempting two topics at once, even if they seem related. • Pick one and stick with it. • just stating a fact . A thesis is something you plan to make an argument about.

6. A thesis statement should • contain a topic (main idea of what you are writing about) • contain an opinion about the topic (what your attitude is toward the topic)

7. Constructing a Thesis • How do you write a good thesis? • Magic formula: • Specific Topic + Action Verb + Point You Are Trying to Prove = Good Thesis • Even though it was written over two thousand years ago, Homer’s epic The Odyssey presents a hero that today’s audiences can respect.

8. Constructing a Thesis • Even though it was written over two thousand years ago, Homer’s epic The Odyssey presentsa hero that today’s audiences can respect.

9. Two Different Approaches • There are two ways to construct a strong thesis statement. • Three pronged: “the fork” • A two part: “fork and knife”

10. A Three Pronged Thesis • Topic, approach to topic, three main points • Subject + Direction + 3 Reasons = Thesis • S+D+3Rs=Thesis • Most common • Generally 1 idea/paragraph

11. Example • Literary contemporaries William Shakespeare and Ben Jonson exhibit similar styles of language, character development, and plot execution.

12. A Two Part Thesis • As you grow, reach for this • States your thesis and approach in one sentence. • Details statements

13. Example • When compared, the United States and the Philippines exhibit similar governing characteristics. • Details statement: Their federal branches, formal legal systems, and rules of cultural decorum correspond.

14. A thesis statement should not be too broad. • Too Broad • The world is a magnificent place to live. • Better • Good teachers make Highlands Middle School a fantastic school.

15. Which sentence is too broad to be a good thesis statement? • One reason to live in White Plains is because it is very close to New York City. • Mountain City is a great place to live.

16. Too Board • White Plains is a great place to live.

17. A thesis statement should not be too wordy. Wordy • Some problems with Highlands Middle School are that it needs a larger playground, an air conditioned gym,, restrooms connected to each classroom, running water in the classrooms, and a number of other physical changes to the building. Better • Highlands Middle School needs several changes to its facility to make it a better school.

18. Which sentence is too wordy to be a good thesis statement? A. Abe Lincoln was one of the best presidents the United States has ever known. B. Abe Lincoln was an excellent speaker, the 16th President of the United States, a liberator of slaves, and united the North and South at the end of the American Civil War.

19. Too Wordy • Abe Lincoln was an excellent speaker, the 16th President of the United States, a liberator of slaves, and united the North and South at the end of the American Civil War.

20. A thesis statement should not be too general. • Too general • Highlands Middle School is a good school. • Better • Daily writing practice has led to improved writing skills for the students at Highlands Middle School.

21. Which sentence is too general to be a good thesis statement? A. Music makes people happy. B. Music therapy is useful in relieving stress and other conditions.

22. Too general • Music makes people happy.

23. A thesis statement should not be a title. • A title • Cost of Living • Better • The cost of living in White Plains is higher than in many other cities in the United States.

24. Which sentence would not be a good thesis statement because it is a title? A. Good teaching has led to an increase in ELA scores at Highlands Middle School. B. Rising ELA Scores at Highlands Middle School.

25. A Title • Rising ELA Scores at Highlands Middle School

26. A thesis statement should not be a a fact. • A fact • The average temperature for White Plains in winter is in the 20’s and in summer is in the 80’s. • Better • The climate in White Plains is ideal for outdoor sports almost all year round.

27. Which sentence would not be a good thesis statement because it is a fact? A. The recycling of one aluminum can saves enough energy to run a TV for three hours. B. Recycling is one of the most important jobs a person can do to protect our environment.

28. A Fact • The recycling of one aluminum can saves enough energy to run a TV for three hours.

29. More Practice

30. Directions: 1) Find the opinion words in the statement. If there are no opinion words, it is not a thesis statement. 2) Tell if the statement is a good thesis statement. • Although most people believe otherwise, bats are harmless and highly beneficial.

31. Directions: 1) Find the opinion words in the statement. If there are no opinion words, it is not a thesis statement. 2) Tell if the statement is a good thesis statement. • In this essay I will discuss the crime rate in Mountain City.

32. Directions: 1) Find the opinion words in the statement. If there are no opinion words, it is not a thesis statement. 2) Tell if the statement is a good thesis statement. • Energetic exercise is a good way to help relieve stress.

33. Directions: 1) Find the opinion words in the statement. If there are no opinion words, it is not a thesis statement. 2) Tell if the statement is a good thesis statement. • Highlands Middle School and Eastview Middle School differ in many ways.

34. Directions: 1) Find the opinion words in the statement. If there are no opinion words, it is not a thesis statement. 2) Tell if the statement is a good thesis statement. • This paper will consider the advantages and disadvantages of students having nightly homework.

35. Directions: 1) Find the opinion words in the statement. If there are no opinion words, it is not a thesis statement. 2) Tell if the statement is a good thesis statement. • Hate speech should be eliminated for many reasons.

36. Take out a piece of notebook paper and number from 1 to 10.In each of the following slides tell whether the sentence is a good or bad thesis statement.

37. Good or Bad • Many people do not like to watch violent horror movies. • Today’s movies do not have the emotional impact of the classic horror movies of the 1940’s.

38. Good or Bad • Rap music is the best music ever. • Although many people find rap music offensive, it has had a positive impact on today’s youth.

39. Good or Bad • I enjoy white water rafting. • The first white water rafting trip can challenge a person both in body and spirit.

40. Good or Bad • Sixth grade students are busy. • The life of a typical sixth grade student is challenging due to the need to succeed in extracurricular activities.

41. Good or Bad • Community service projects include building shelter for the homeless, servicing meals to the hungry, providing transportation for the sick, distributing clothes, and a large number of other helpful activities. • Students should help others who are less fortunate.