A Thesis Statement

A thesis statement tells the reader the topic and the point.

A thesis statement has two parts:

the topic the point

The formula is

Topic + Point = thesis statement or

Point + Topic = thesis statement

For example:

Kenya’s culture +(topic)

Kenya’s culture is rich and varied. = Thesis statement

is rich and varied.

(point)

another example

Building a model train set + takes time and patience. = thesis statement

----- = topic

----- = point

one last example:

Too much TV watching + has negative effects on young people.= Thesis statement

----- = topic

----- = point

All good writing should begin with a thesis statement.

There is no “I” in a thesis statement.

Now, you try it:

Identify the parts of these thesis statements:

1. All good writing should begin with a thesis statement.

topic = good writing

point = should begin with a thesis statement.

2. Boys are better students in math than girls.

topic = better math students

point =boys are better in math

3. Stress causes illness, headaches, and depression.

topic =

point = stress causes these

illness, headaches, and depression

A thesis statement is different from a topic sentence.

A topic sentence just tells the topic.

Ex: The driving age in NC is 16.

A thesis statement tells the topic and the point.

Ex: The driving age in NC at 16 is too low.

Remember, a thesis statement has a topic and a point.

Try these: For each, decide if it is a thesis statement or a topic sentence.

The cafeteria serves lunch each day.

topic sentence.

The cafeteria serves a nutritious lunch every day.

topic sentence.

The lunch served in the cafeteria is both nutritious and delicious.

thesis statement

Barack Obama won the democratic primary election in New Hampshire.

topic sentence

Of all of the Democratic candidates, Barack Obama has the greatest chance of being elected the Democratic representative.

thesis statement

Thesis statements clarify and focus a piece of writing.

topic sentence