Thesis Statements

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Thesis StatementsThesis Statements

What is a thesis statement?What is a thesis statement?A thesis statement is the A thesis statement is the main ideamain idea of an of an essay.essay.

It is the point you want to argue or support It is the point you want to argue or support in an essay. What you are trying to prove in an essay. What you are trying to prove in your essay.in your essay.

SOSOThe thesis statement explains to a reader The thesis statement explains to a reader the main idea (purpose) of the essay, and the main idea (purpose) of the essay, and the writer’s opinion of that idea.the writer’s opinion of that idea.

A thesis statement is almost always A thesis statement is almost always one sentence.one sentence.

It is placed in the introductory It is placed in the introductory paragraph of an essay or paper. paragraph of an essay or paper. Usually the last sentence.Usually the last sentence.

It is the argument or point you are It is the argument or point you are making in your essay, summed up in making in your essay, summed up in one sentenceone sentence

The essay will contain evidence and The essay will contain evidence and opinions that support the argument opinions that support the argument you made in the thesis statement.you made in the thesis statement.

Thesis statements avoid the Thesis statements avoid the following:following:

the first person (I believe, In my opinion, the first person (I believe, In my opinion, etc.)etc.)

unclear language (It seems, etc.)unclear language (It seems, etc.)

attempting two topics at once (even if they attempting two topics at once (even if they seem related). Pick one and stick with it.seem related). Pick one and stick with it.

just stating a fact - A thesis is something just stating a fact - A thesis is something you plan to make an argument about or a you plan to make an argument about or a point you are proving. Facts are what you point you are proving. Facts are what you use in the body paragraphs to use in the body paragraphs to support support your thesis statement.your thesis statement.

A thesis statement should…A thesis statement should…

contain a contain a topictopic (main idea that (main idea that shows the reader what you are shows the reader what you are going to write about in your going to write about in your paper)paper)

contain an contain an opinionopinion about the about the topic (what you are going to topic (what you are going to prove about the topic in your prove about the topic in your paper)paper)

A thesis statement should not be A thesis statement should not be too broad.too broad.

Too BroadToo Broad

New York City is a magnificent place to live.New York City is a magnificent place to live.

Better Better

As the capital of world financial As the capital of world financial markets, theater and fashion, New markets, theater and fashion, New York City has plenty to offer young York City has plenty to offer young people with dreams of success.people with dreams of success.

Which sentence is too broad to be Which sentence is too broad to be a good thesis statement?a good thesis statement?

A.A. One reason to live in New York One reason to live in New York City is the access to many City is the access to many wonderful Broadway wonderful Broadway productions. productions.

B.B. New York City is a great place to New York City is a great place to live.live.

Too BroadToo Broad

New York City is a great place to New York City is a great place to live.live.

A thesis statement should not be A thesis statement should not be too wordytoo wordy

WordyWordySome problems with New York City is that it needs Some problems with New York City is that it needs

more highways, updated public transportation more highways, updated public transportation systems, cleaner air, new schools, a new mayor, systems, cleaner air, new schools, a new mayor, and several modern updates to its infrastructure.and several modern updates to its infrastructure.

BetterBetterNew York City needs several changes to its aging New York City needs several changes to its aging

infrastructure to make it a better city. infrastructure to make it a better city.

Which sentence is too wordy to be Which sentence is too wordy to be a good thesis statement?a good thesis statement?

A.A. Abe Lincoln was one of the most Abe Lincoln was one of the most successful presidents the United States successful presidents the United States has ever known.has ever known.

B.B. Abe Lincoln was an excellent speaker, Abe Lincoln was an excellent speaker, the 16the 16thth President of the United States, a President of the United States, a liberator of slaves, and united the North liberator of slaves, and united the North and South at the end of the American Civil and South at the end of the American Civil War. War.

Too WordyToo Wordy

Abe Lincoln was an excellent speaker, the Abe Lincoln was an excellent speaker, the 1616thth President of the United States, a President of the United States, a liberator of slaves, and united the North liberator of slaves, and united the North and South at the end of the American Civil and South at the end of the American Civil War. War.

A thesis statement should not be A thesis statement should not be too general.too general.

Too generalToo general

New York City is quite large. New York City is quite large.

BetterBetter

The five boroughs of New York City are The five boroughs of New York City are quite unique, making it one of the largest quite unique, making it one of the largest cities in North America. cities in North America.

Which sentence is too general to Which sentence is too general to be a good thesis statement?be a good thesis statement?

A.A. Music makes people happy. Music makes people happy.

B.B. Music therapy is useful in the Music therapy is useful in the treatment of stress and other treatment of stress and other related conditions.related conditions.

Too generalToo general

Music makes people happy.Music makes people happy.

A thesis statement should not be a A thesis statement should not be a a fact.a fact.

A factA fact

The average temperature for New York City The average temperature for New York City in winter is 34 degrees and in summer is in winter is 34 degrees and in summer is 80 degrees. 80 degrees.

BetterBetter

The climate in New York City is ideal for The climate in New York City is ideal for tourism. tourism.

Which sentence would not be a Which sentence would not be a good thesis statement because it is good thesis statement because it is

a fact?a fact?

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

B.B. Recycling is one of the most Recycling is one of the most important jobs a person can do to important jobs a person can do to protect our environment.protect our environment.

A FactA Fact

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

• A thesis statement A thesis statement should notshould not begin with begin with “In this essay”… EVER!!!“In this essay”… EVER!!!

• A thesis statement A thesis statement should notshould not begin with begin with “In this paper” or “This paper will” … “In this paper” or “This paper will” … EVER!!!EVER!!!

• A thesis statement as well as an essay A thesis statement as well as an essay should not evershould not ever contain or use “ contain or use “II” in any ” in any way, shape or form!!!way, shape or form!!!

More PracticeMore Practice

Directions: Directions: 1) Find the words that make an argument in the 1) Find the words that make an argument in the statement. If there are no words that suggest an statement. If there are no words that suggest an argument, it is not a thesis statement. argument, it is not a thesis statement. 2) How do you know if this is a good thesis 2) How do you know if this is a good thesis statement?statement?

Although most people believe Although most people believe otherwise, bats are harmless and otherwise, bats are harmless and highly beneficial.highly beneficial.

In this essay I will discuss the crime In this essay I will discuss the crime rate in New York City.rate in New York City.

Energetic exercise is a good way to Energetic exercise is a good way to help relieve stress.help relieve stress.

New York City and Paris differ in New York City and Paris differ in many ways.many ways.

This paper will consider the This paper will consider the advantages and disadvantages of advantages and disadvantages of students having nightly students having nightly homework.homework.

Hate speech should be eliminated Hate speech should be eliminated for many reasons.for many reasons.

In your notebook…In your notebook… number from 1 to 10. number from 1 to 10.

For each of the following slides…For each of the following slides…1. Is the sentence a good or bad 1. Is the sentence a good or bad thesis statement?thesis statement?2. Why is it a thesis or not a thesis?2. Why is it a thesis or not a thesis?

You will only have a few seconds You will only have a few seconds for each statement.for each statement.

Is the Thesis Statement Good Is the Thesis Statement Good or Bad? How do you know?or Bad? How do you know?

1.1. Many people do not like to watch Many people do not like to watch violent horror movies. violent horror movies.

2.2. Today’s movies do not have the Today’s movies do not have the emotional impact of the classic emotional impact of the classic horror movies of the 1940’s. horror movies of the 1940’s.

3.3. Rap music is the best music Rap music is the best music ever. ever.

4.4. Although some people find Although some people find rap music offensive, it has rap music offensive, it has had a positive impact on had a positive impact on today’s youth.today’s youth.

5.5. I enjoy white water rafting.I enjoy white water rafting.

6.6. The first white water rafting The first white water rafting trip can challenge a person trip can challenge a person both in body and spirit.both in body and spirit.

7.7. Seniors are busy.Seniors are busy.8.8. The life of a typical senior is The life of a typical senior is

challenging due to the challenging due to the pressure of peers, parents, pressure of peers, parents, teachers and extracurricular teachers and extracurricular activities.activities.

9.9. Community service projects include Community service projects include building shelter for the homeless, building shelter for the homeless, servicing meals to the hungry, servicing meals to the hungry, providing transportation for the sick, providing transportation for the sick, distributing clothes, and a large distributing clothes, and a large number of other helpful activities.number of other helpful activities.

10.10.Students should help others who are Students should help others who are less fortunate. less fortunate.

Create your own Thesis Create your own Thesis StatementsStatements

Using what we have learned today, work Using what we have learned today, work in your predetermined pairs to create well-in your predetermined pairs to create well-written thesis statements using the written thesis statements using the following information. There are five following information. There are five different topics for practice.different topics for practice.

PromProm

The militaryThe military

TechnologyTechnology

Sports or ExerciseSports or Exercise

EntertainmentEntertainment

Thesis Statements

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