Date post: | 09-Feb-2017 |
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Elements of an Essay
by oxford tutoring
Thesis Statement Workshop
of school life is writing a paper.One of the most challenging aspects
It is a daunting task to stare down a
a five-page paper you have yet to
begin.
Where do I even start?
How do I pick a topic?
Will my essay be long enough?
What the heck is a thesis statement?
Questions about writing a paper.
Oxford Tutoring is here to help!
We have broken down the essay
so that you can feel confident in
the papers you write.
Elements of an Essay System
Let's start with a brief overview
of the main components of
an essay.
The Introduction Paragraph is the
HEART.
The Thesis Statementis the
GLUE.
The Body Paragraphsare the
MEAT.
The Detailsare the
KEY.
The Commentaryis the
TREASURE.
The Conclusion Paragraphis the
the bow.
Let's start with the thesis statement.
Activity #1
Football vs. Basketball Cats vs. DogsYour own topicSummer
Remember, the thesis statement is
the glue.
Directions: Choose one of the followingtopics and write one sentence expressingyour opinion about that topic.
So, what exactly is a thesis statement?
A thesis statement is an opinion that can
be proven and is worth proving to others.
Ideally,
your t
hesis
statem
ent sh
ould
only be
one
senten
ce.
That way, you do not confuse your reader
and overwhelm yourself.
But, how do I use a thesisstatement?
A thesis statement is used so that your
entire essay should be built around it.
You will use your
body paragraphs to
argue or defend
your thesis statement.
Okay, then why do I need a thesisstatement?
A Thesis statement can help you:It can tell the reader what you will be
It will let the reader know ahead of
talking about in your essay.
time what is coming.
ASk yourself t
he
following question:
Why would others
care about my
thesis statement?
If you cannot answer the question,
you need a new thesis statement!
Think of you thesisstatement as a map!
It lets the reader know where you are going,
and it gives you direction as the writer.
Yeah, but how do I write a thesisstatement?
A thesis statement is declarative, short,
concise, and can be defended with evidence.
Here is
a form
ula
for wr
iting yo
ur
thesis
statem
ent.
SUBJECT+
WHAT YOU THINK+
2-3 Points of support/contention=
Thesis Statement
Example of a ThesisStatement
Deciding which College to attend was a complicated process that required
researching the college, applying to the college, and enrolling in my chosen classes.
What is the subject of the thesisstatement?
Deciding which College to attend
What does the author think?
IT was a complicated process.
What are the author's points ofsupport?
1. Researching the college2. Applying to the college3. Enrolling in the chosen classes
Activity #2Directions: look back at the opinion you wrote in Activity #1. Write a thesis statmenton your opinion based on the previous formula.
Then, how does my thesisstatement work in my essay?
In your introduction paragraph, your thesis statement is one sentence (usually thelast), while the rest of your intro pargraphsets the reader up for your thesis statement.
Your p
oints o
f
suppor
t beco
me the
topics
of you
r body
paragr
aphs.
Body Paragraph #1 Topic
Point of Support #1=
Body Paragraph #2 Topic
Point of Support #2=
Body Paragraph #3 Topic
Point of Support #3=
Deciding which College to attend was a complicated process that required
researching the college, applying to the college, and enrolling in my chosen classes.
Remember our last thesis statement?
If we were writing our essay with thisthesis statement our body paragraphs would
look like. . .
Body Paragraph #1 Topic
Researching the college
=
Body Paragraph #2 Topic
Applying to the College
=
Body Paragraph #3 Topic
Enrolling in the classes
=
In your Conclusion paragraph, you willrestate your thesis statement.
See? Your thesis
statement really is
the glue that holds
your whole papertogether!
Activity #3Directions: ldenitfy the thesis statement components in the following thesis statements - the subject, what the authorthinks, and the points of support.
1) Sodas should remain an option in our lunchrooms because of their fund-raising importance and because they allow students to begin exercising responsibility and good decision-making.
2) Students should be allowed to carry cell phones at school because theyprovide students more security, they can be used in emergencies, and theykeep parents involved in their children’s school lives.
3)Cell phones should not be allowed at school because of their potentialto distract students, to lead to thefts, and to be used for cheating.
awesome thesis statement!Now you know how to write an
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