Thesis Statement

Thesis Statement

main idea of your essay

Thesis Statement

-one sentence that provides the controlling idea

Thesis Statement

- umbrella that covers all the main points of your essay

Functions and Qualities of a Thesis Statement

•Thesis Statements predicts, controls, and obligates

Functions and Qualities of a Thesis Statement

• The thesis statement is an indicator of position or belief about a particular idea

Characteristics of a good Thesis

Statement

Characteristics of a Good Thesis Statement

Thesis Statement should provide a single line of focus

Thesis Statement must set limits on the topic

Thesis Statement is not the topic or the title or question

Poor Example:

Although viruses can be considered the worst nightmare that can happen to a computer system, the are actually system-related errors that mimic the effects of viruses, but may not be technically viruses, and what we need is a set of controlling tactics that will not just prevent one viral attack but will also be advantageous for use by others.

Better:

Computer viruses can sabotage an entire computer system due to three technique mechanisms: self-replication, self-abstraction, and encryption.

Thesis Statement should provide a single line of focus

Poor Example:

The tsunami that hit Indonesia in December 2004 has exposed for the entire world to see how unprepared and ill-equipped the government of Indonesia was a result of the corruption that affects so many of the poor countries in the world

Better:

Because of the immeasurable damage, tsunamis can cause, a warming system that is cost-effective, efficient, and reliable must be established.

Thesis Statement must set limits on the topic

Poor Example:

The threat of Agroterrorism or how real is the threat of Agricultural Terrorism?

Better:

Although the spread of agriculture-related diseases such as foot and mouth disease and avian influenza is alarming, the long-term consequences of an outbreak of these diseases can be lessened through increased monitoring by governments of vulnerable countries.

Thesis Statement is not the topic or the title or question.

Let us examine the following thesis statements.

a. An analysis of the college admission process reveals one challenge facing counsellors: accepting students with high test scores or students with strong extracurricular backgrounds.

b. Hunger persists in Africa for a very long time.

Let us examine the following thesis statements.

c. High school graduates should be required to take a year off to pursue community service projects before entering college in order to increase their maturity and global awareness.

Let us examine the following thesis statements.

d. The concept of global warming should not receive the amount of attention that is currently focused on this issue.

Let us examine the following thesis statements.

e. Cyber-bullying should be a criminal, punishable offense in the Philippines in order to protect the nation’s children and teenagers.

Let us examine the following thesis statements.

f. This essay will consider the advantages and disadvantages of certain restrictions on free speech.

Let us examine the following thesis statements.

FORMAT OF A THESIS

STATEMENT

FORMATS OF A THESIS STATEMENT

1. Thesis Statement as a statement of Intent

2. Thesis Statement as a statement of position

3. Thesis Statement as a Pro-Con Statement

1. Thesis Statement as a statement of Intent

-expresses the intention of the

writer

• What do you intend to show in your paper?

• What does your paper seek to accomplish?

• What is the purpose of your paper?

1. Thesis Statement as a statement of Intent

Examples: • In this essay, I intend to prove that yoga is the

best possible way to cure heart problems

• This essay seeks to study more closely the effects of television violence on viewers

• This essay aims to show that exercising and dieting produce the most effective results in the treatment of diabetes.

2. Thesis Statement as a statement of position

•What do you believe in?

• What do you feel about the topic?

Examples: • Having the right internet security

software is important because it helps prevent hacking.

• The computer is efficient in teaching English because it is effective dependable and entertaining.

3. Thesis Statement as a Pro-Con Statement

What are the two sides of the issue?

Example:• Although the all-protein and the all-

carbohydrate diets may help adults shed of unwanted fat, they may also promote malfunction of the heart and the nervous system, anaphylactic shock (allergy to protein), and diabetes.

Example:

• Although Western Medicine is the commonly accepted method of treating ailments, acupuncture should still be administered because it is proven to be effective in aiding the sick despite the fact that at times, it needs to be combined with other therapies to be effective.

FORMATS OF A THESIS STATEMENT

1. Thesis Statement as a statement of Intent

2. Thesis Statement as a statement of position

3. Thesis Statement as a Pro-Con Statement

References: Plata, S. et.al. (2006). Research: Process

and Product Workbook. Laguna: Trailblazer Publications.

Plata, M., Mirador, J.F., Dayag, D. T. , and Chua, H. (2002). Thinking and Writing Research: A Complete Guide To Independent Research Paper Writing. Manila: De La Salle University Press Inc.