Writing Thesis Statements

What is it?

¨ A thesis statement is a clear statement.¨ It is the claim you will make and support

with evidence throughout your essay¨ It is the LAST sentence of your introduction¨ Every paragraph in the paper should relate

directly back to the thesis

The “Working Thesis”

¨ As you read and revise your paper, you can expect to change your thesis – sometimes you don’t discover what you really want to say about a topic until you’ve started (or finished) writing!

¨ We will create an initial thesis today!

Characteristics of a strong thesis statement

¨ It takes a stand¨ It is the main idea, not the title¨ It is narrow, not broad¨ It is specific, rather than general¨ It is debatable

Which of these statements is a thesis, and which is simply an observation?

¨ Hip Hop music is popular among some young people today.

¨ Though many people think hip-hop is offensive, this type of music offers urban youth a powerful outlet for expressing the challenges and dreams of growing up in inner city America, and is as legitimate an art form as jazz, and rock and roll.

Fact/observation

Thesis

Characteristics of a strong thesis statement (continued)

¨ A thesis statement takes a stand rather than simply announcing a subject or giving both sides

Of these statements, which is the thesis, which does not take a stand, and which is simply an announcement?

¨ The thesis of this paper is curfews for teenagers.

¨ There are positive and negative aspects of curfews for teenagers.

¨ It is not the right of a city government to place curfews on teenagers; it should be the sole responsibility of parents.

Characteristics of a strong thesis statement (continued)

¨ A thesis is the main idea, not the title. It must be a complete sentence or sentences that explain in some detail what you will be discussing in the essay

Which of these statements is a thesis, and which is simply a title?

¨ Bullying Is Bad.

¨ The issue of middle school students bullying each other has lasting, negative ramifications for both the bully and the victim, and it is the school officials’ responsibility to ensure that it does not happen.

Title

Thesis

Characteristics of a strong thesis statement (continued)

¨ A thesis statement is narrow rather than broad.

¨ If the thesis statement is sufficiently narrow, it can be fully supported.

Which of these statements is too broad?

¨ Violent video games cause many problems.

¨ Because of their realism, today’s video games increase the likelihood that teenagers who play them will handle real life situations with violence.

Characteristics of a strong thesis statement (continued)

¨ A thesis statement is specific rather than vague or general.

Which of these statements is too vague?¨ Smoking cigarettes is unhealthy for

teenagers.¨ The tobacco industry purposefully targets

teenagers in its advertising campaigns, because it knows once they get hooked on this deadly habit they are hooked for life and, in many cases, death.

Characteristics of a strong thesis statement (continued)¨ The claim must be a statement that people

could possibly disagree with, because the goal of your paper is to convince your audience that your claim is true based on your presentation of your reasons and evidence.

Which of these statements is debatable (arguable)?

¨ Pollution is bad for the environment.

¨ At least 25% of the federal budget should be spent on limiting pollution.

Guidelines for a persuasive thesis statement¨ A persuasive thesis statement shares all of

the general characteristics we’ve gone over already, but it has some of it’s own special characteristics too.

Steps to writing your persuasive thesis statement

¨ Know your opinion on the issue and state it clearly.

¨ Give at least 3 reasons for your belief that will be addressed in the body of your essay.

¨ You may choose to list a single counterargument that you plan to address.

¨ Remember to clearly state your point of view. Don’t be wishy-washy!!

Getting Started

1. Reread the essential questions listed on the Research Paper Guidelines sheet

2. Think about your facts3. Pick a question that you have the most

information about and that you want to focus your entire paper around. The main idea of the entire paper!

4. Write a very strong persuasive statement answering that question

– Take a stand– Be specific– Be debatable

A thesis statement guide …..

During the _______________________,

(time period)

____________ invented/created/believed (event/person) (verb)

____________________________ that (accomplishment)

changed / influenced / developed into

_______________________________.

(legacy)

For example…

¨ During the Renaissance, _______________ created countless masterpieces using new techniques that influenced countless other artists and changed how society would make, view, and judge art, thus making him the most important artist of his time.

A thesis statement guide …..

During the _______________________,

(time period)

the _____________ killed _________(event)

due to its rapid spread caused by

_______________________________.

(argument)