Thesis Statements& Topic Sentences

Writer’s Workshop #2

What is a Thesis Statement?

O The thesis is a one-sentence summary of

your argument.

O It should be ARGUABLE (which means

someone could disagree with your thesis!)

O It should clearly address all parts of the

essay prompt.

O You must be able to PROVE your thesis with

support from the text or outside research.

Questions to ask about your thesis:

O Have I said something specific and meaningful?

O Is it specific enough to write about in the required number

of pages? Or would someone have to write a book (or a

set of encyclopedias) to fully support my thesis?

O Have I said something arguable? What’s the point if

everyone will agree with you or if everyone already knows

this?

O Can I support my thesis? Can I think of specific examples

and evidence? Does every point I bring up support my

thesis or do I need to revise my thesis statement?

Thesis Examples: Which is better?Why?

Thesis #1: Thesis #2:

O World War II was a costly war that had a major impact on the economy of the United States

O World War II negatively impacted the economy of the United States and altered the role of the American government and the American people forever.

Good or Bad? Why?

O Rowlandson’s narrative exemplifies early

American literature because of the writing

style, focus and theme.

Good or Bad? Why?

O Written by Jonathan Edwards, “Sinners in

the Hands of an Angry God” exhibited both

the themes and plain style of early American

literature.

Good or Bad? Why?

O Bradstreet’s poetry communicates themes

much different than today.

Good or Bad? Why?

O Through many of Bradstreet’s poems, the

plain writing style of early American

literature and the faithfulness of God are

evidenced through the trials of her life.

Now let’s look at some examples from Extended

Response #1

Consider:

Does this answer the prompt?

Is it arguable?

Good or Bad? Why?

O During her life Anne Bradstreet faced many troubles and dealt with many struggles but was able to keep her faith in God through all of it.

O That woman is Anne Bradstreet, author of “Upon the Burning of Our House, in which her description of the theme of hope lying above resides.

O Despite the materialism that has become so popular in America, the truth that Anne Bradstreet wrote in “…Upon the Burning of Our House” remains, that all hope and treasure should lie in Heaven, not earth.

Good or Bad? Why?

O The lines in the poem that say that are a

true statement and holds truth in the words.

O God is the foundation on which we should

stand, not worldly things.

O Treasures stored on earth will be destroyed

and stolen; therefore, Christians should

stock riches in Heaven, where they will never

diminish.

Topic Sentences

O Must directly support the thesis

O Must be persuasive

O Should not be a question.

O Should not be a direct quote.

O Should not be a statement of fact.