Writing…. a thesis a topic sentence

What is a thesis tells the reader what your position on the topic you’ve taken is a road map for the paper; in other words, it tells the reader what to expect from the rest of the paper. makes a claim that others might dispute; your thesis should be something that is a provable statement is usually a single sentence somewhere in your first paragraph that presents your argument to the reader. The rest of the paper, the body of the essay, gathers and organizes evidence that will persuade the reader of the logic of your interpretation.

A thesis MUST…. Establish the claim – What is the problem? Take a position on the claim – Propose a solution to the problem Be a provable statement with verb – (EX 1: A lack of wells is a problem) – (EX 2: The lack of wells increases the deathrate in most countries and the crisis could be resolved by solar powered water filters.

Thesis Options Preview the paper by listing the main reasons Use a strong verb rather than be verbs (is, am, are, were)

Do NOT…. Use personal reflections – In this paper../I will write/I am going to tell you Use second person – NO You Use first person – No I Use evaluative words – Best, worst, favorite, biggest Use absolutes that can’t be proven – Everyone, all, nobody

Check yourself 1.Lack of water is the worst problem in the world. 2.I think an training program will solve the problem. 3.Wrigley field is the best place to see a baseball game. 4.There are solar powered wells. 5.In this paper I will argue that solar powered wells will decrease the number of deaths due to lack of cleaning drinking water.

What is a topic sentence The topic sentence should identify the main idea and point of the paragraph. The supporting details in the paragraph (the sentences other than the topic sentence) will develop or explain the topic sentence. The topic sentence should not be too general or too specific. When considering the options, look for a topic sentence that is general enough to show the paragraph’s main idea instead of just one of its details. The answer should be specific enough that the reader understands the main idea of the paragraph.

A topic sentence MUST Maintains the claim – What is the job of the paragraph i.e. the problem Can be proven by the rest of the paragraph – Is it an arguable statement Takes a position on the claim – What is the problem? – What is the solution?

Topic Sentence Options Preview the paragraph by listing the main reasons for your position on the claim, i.e. what are your reasons for that solution? Use a strong verb rather than be verbs (is, am, are, were)

Do NOT…. Use personal reflections – I think the problem is / I will tell you my solution Use second person – NO You Use first person – No I Use evaluative words – Best, worst, favorite, biggest Use absolutes that can’t be proven – Everyone, all, nobody

Check yourself 1.A solar powered filtration system will provide safe drinking water preventing deaths. 2.I think this system is the best solution for giving water to people in Africa. 3.The filtration system provides thousands of gallons of water, is affordable, and only needs the sun to produce water. 4.Opponents argue that relocating communities is the best solution. 5.What is the problem? Lack of water.