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 often a point you want to argue or It is often a point you want to argue or support in an essay.support in an essay.

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

A thesis statement is usually one A thesis statement is usually one sentence.sentence.

It is often placed in the introductory It is often placed in the introductory paragraph of an essay.paragraph of an essay.

A thesis statement is a claim that A thesis statement is a claim that could be argued.could be argued.

The essay will contain evidence The essay will contain evidence and opinions that support the and opinions that support the argument.argument.

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. you plan to make an argument about.

A thesis statement shouldA thesis statement should

contain a contain a topictopic (main idea of (main idea of what you are writing about)what you are writing about)

contain an contain an opinionopinion about the about the topic (what your attitude is topic (what your attitude is toward the topic)toward the topic)

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

Too BroadToo Broad

The world is a magnificent place to live.The world is a magnificent place to live.

BetterBetter

Good teachers make Mountain City Good teachers make Mountain City Elementary a fantastic school. Elementary a fantastic school.

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

WordyWordySome problems with Mountain City Elementary Some problems with Mountain City Elementary

School is that it needs a larger playground, an air School is that it needs a larger playground, an air conditioned gym, an auditorium, restrooms conditioned gym, an auditorium, restrooms connected to each classroom, running water in the connected to each classroom, running water in the classrooms, and a number of other physical classrooms, and a number of other physical changes to the building.changes to the building.

BetterBetterMountain City Elementary needs several changes to Mountain City Elementary needs several changes to

its facility to make it a better school. For instance a its facility to make it a better school. For instance a larger playground, air conditioned gym, and larger playground, air conditioned gym, and restrooms connected to each classroom would be restrooms connected to each classroom would be fantastic improvements to the school.fantastic improvements to the school.

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

A titleA title

Cost of Living Cost of Living

BetterBetter

The cost of living in Mountain City is lower The cost of living in Mountain City is lower than in most other cities in the United than in most other cities in the United States allowing ….1, 2, 3States allowing ….1, 2, 3

Directions: Directions: 1) Find the opinion words in the statement. If there 1) Find the opinion words in the statement. If there are no opinion words, it is not a thesis statement. are no opinion words, it is not a thesis statement. 2) Tell if the statement is a good thesis statement.2) Tell if the statement is a good thesis statement.

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

Directions: Directions: 1) Find the opinion words in the statement. If there 1) Find the opinion words in the statement. If there are no opinion words, it is not a thesis statement. are no opinion words, it is not a thesis statement. 2) Tell if the statement is a good thesis statement.2) Tell if the statement is a good thesis statement.

Energetic exercise is a good way to Energetic exercise is a good way to help relieve stress. The effects of help relieve stress. The effects of relieving stress are…..relieving stress are…..

Directions: Directions: 1) Find the opinion words in the statement. If there 1) Find the opinion words in the statement. If there are no opinion words, it is not a thesis statement. are no opinion words, it is not a thesis statement. 2) Tell if the statement is a good thesis statement.2) Tell if the statement is a good thesis statement.

Mountain City and Boone differ in Mountain City and Boone differ in many ways.many ways.

Good or BadGood or Bad

a) Sixth grade students are a) Sixth grade students are busy.busy.

b) The life of a typical sixth b) The life of a typical sixth grade student is challenging grade student is challenging due to the need to succeed in due to the need to succeed in extracurricular activities.extracurricular activities.

Good or BadGood or Bad

a.) Community service projects include a.) 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.

b.) Students should help others who b.) Students should help others who are less fortunate by …1,2,3 are less fortunate by …1,2,3 examples.examples.