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Thesis statements

Thesis statements. Thesis statement. A thesis statement is the central message of your paper; it is the main idea and should reflect the paper’s content. Thesis statement. The thesis statement usually creates the strongest impression when it is the first or last sentence in the

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Thesis statements

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  1. Thesis statements

  2. Thesis statement • A thesis statement is the central message of your paper; it is the main idea and should reflect the paper’s content.

  3. Thesis statement • The thesis statement usually creates the strongest impression when it is the first or last sentence in the introductory paragraph.

  4. Thesis statement requirements • States the essay’s subject. • Conveys the essay’s purpose. (informative or persuasive) • Indicates the focus – your point of view. • Uses specific language, appropriate words. • May state major subdivisions of the topic.

  5. Questions to ask when reviewing thesis statements. • Is the main idea, the central point, clearly stated?

  6. Ask yourself … • Is the purpose of the essay clear?

  7. Ask yourself … • Is the thesis stated in specific terms? • Does it avoid overly general, vague ones?

  8. Ask yourself … • Can this thesis be developed in the time available?

  9. Ask yourself … • Can this thesis be developed in an essay of the length planned?

  10. Ask yourself ... • Is the thesis limited enough for development, but general enough to be worth the effort?

  11. An example of a good thesis statement • The first time I drove a car, I was a jumble of nerves and fear. The purpose is to express a feeling about an experience.

  12. Another good example • The Japanese Tea Ceremony reveals the beauty in everyday routine. The purpose is to explain a factual subject.

  13. An example of a descriptive thesis statement … • The roller rink comes to life on Saturday afternoon. The purpose is to describe.

  14. A persuasive thesis statement: • A healthy society depends on a high degree of citizen participation in the government. The purpose is to persuade.

  15. Topic sentences • The topic sentence has a clearly limited subject and makes a clear statement about that subject.

  16. Topic sentences • The best topic sentence has a single, clear subject that is just right for development.

  17. Topic sentence locations • When it is the first sentence of a paragraph, it serves as an introduction. • When the topic sentence is the last sentence, it serves as a summarization. • Sometimes it is implied, but not stated. This is not recommended.

  18. Topic sentence function • It is oftentimes a general statement, but not too broad. A double-dip chocolate ice-cream cone after a rough ball game is my idea of fun.

  19. Topic sentences should … • Be supported by a number of more specific statements that provide additional information to make the main idea more meaningful. • Facts • Examples • Incidents • Reasons

  20. For example, • The Mexicans who lived in the Southwest taught the settlers from the East many things. • Supported by: • The vaqueros showed the settlers how to handle cattle and to train horses. • The Mexicans introduced high-horned saddles and sombreros to the new ranchers.

  21. Unity in an essay • The definition of unity is the state of being united physically, socially or morally. • An essay has unity when all the sup-porting paragraphs relate to the main idea in the thesis statement.

  22. Sentences in a paragraph • Should • Develop the paragraph’s main idea OR • Explain the paragraph’s main idea OR • Prove the paragraph’s main idea. Sentences carry out closely related information and do not deviate from the topic.

  23. Coherence in essays • Coherence is a quality that makes the ideas in the paragraph flow logically and naturally from one to the next. • Coherence is the glue of the paragraph.

  24. Coherency • Essays with coherent organization are easily read and understood. Coherence can be achieved by using transition words or phrases.

  25. Achieving coherency • Tip #1: Double-check your organization to make sure each detail fits logically into your method of organization.

  26. Achieving coherency • Tip #2: Use transitional words and phrases.

  27. Achieving coherency • Tip #3: Every now and then, repeat key words.

  28. Achieving coherency • Tip #4: Use similar words or phrases in place of key words.

  29. Achieving coherency • Tip #5: Use pronouns in place of key words.

  30. Good writing • Remember, becoming a good writer takes time and practice. • Invest in a good dictionary and thesaurus. • Proofread your material before handing it in. • Take pride in your work

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