How to Write a Thesis Statement

1. How to Write a Thesis Statement

2. What is a thesis statement? • A thesis statement is a single sentence that is used to define the purpose of your paper. • Thesis statements inform readers as to the purpose of your paper. • After reading your thesis statement, anyone reviewing your paper should be able to determine what your paper is going to prove or argue.

3. How To Craft a Thesis Statement • You must begin with a topic question. • You must form an opinion and state it clearly. Do not be wishy-washy. • Be sure you have approached your evidence fairly, without bias.

4. How to Craft a Thesis Statement cont. • Consider both sides of a controversial issue. • Once you've established the topic question, a clear position, and objectivity, you're ready to write a thesis statement.

5. Tip • A thesis statement should never contain the following: in my opinion, I think, I believe, etc.

6. Good vs. Bad • A good thesis statement is short and simple: it should be no longer than one sentence, regardless of essay length. • Good Example: Success is a result of doing the right things consistently. • Bad Example: In a world full of success gurus and books about success, it becomes ever so more important to delineate the one trait that ultimately determines success: doing the right things consistently.

7. Good vs. Bad • A good thesis statement is limited to one main idea. • Good example: The key to successful dieting is focusing on a specific goal. • Bad example: The key to successful dieting is focusing on a specific goal, which is also the key to successfully running a business and coaching a football team.

8. Good vs. Bad • A good thesis statement is a declarative sentence with no qualifiers(might, maybe, perhaps, etc.): • Good example: Lebron James' ability to score, pass, and rebound make him the league's most valuable player. • Bad example: Does Lebron James' ability to score, pass, and rebound make him the league's most valuable player? • Bad Example: Lebron James' ability to score, pass, and rebound just might make him the league's most valuable player.

9. Let’s Practice • Which statement can be a thesis statement? • The sky is blue. • The sky is bluest in the summer.

10. Let’s Practice • A thesis statement must be arguable. • The sky is bluest in the summer.

11. Your Turn • What would make school less boring?

12. Credits • http://www.brighthub.com/education/k-12/articles/20762.aspx • http://www.ehow.com/how_8124018_teach-students-write-thesis-sentence.html