What is a Thesis Statement and How Do I Write One?

What is a Thesis Statement? A thesis statement is a sentence or sentences that express the main ideas of your research (It is usually the answer to your research question) It declares what you believe and what you intend to prove in your research

What is a Thesis Statement? Your thesis will become the roadmap of your project It also tells the audience what you are planning to prove or argue in your project It’s your promise to the reader!

What Should I Include In My Thesis? Your thesis should answer the 5 W’s What What happened? What was the main event? Who Who was involved? Who was affected? Where Where did it take place? Why there? When When did it happen? How long did it last? Why Why did it happen? Why is it important?

How do Thesis Statements Work? The Thesis Statement is the central thought that holds your whole project together! It is always being reworked and reshaped as you do your research

Thesis Statement Example I. The lifestyle of barn owls includes hunting for insects and animals, building nests, and raising their young.   What will the author explain in her research?

Thesis Statement II. Barn owl nests should not be eliminated from barns because barn owls help farmers by eliminating insect and rodent pest. What will the author explain in her research?

Simple Equations for Creating a Thesis Statement Specific Topic + Explanation/Argument/Issue = Thesis Statement OR What You Plan to Argue + How You Plan to Argue It = Thesis Statement

Things to Keep in Mind…. Your Thesis should be 1-3 sentences long. But be careful not be too wordy in your thesis. You will elaborate on each part of the statement in your project.

Things to Keep in Mind…. Avoid general statements like: “…changed history forever.” “…was the most important event in history.” “…without _________, the world would be different.” There should NOT be the word “I”

Evaluation of Thesis Statements Thesis 1: Why was Susan B. Anthony important in history? Is this a good thesis statement? Why or why not? This is a question, not a statement. Does not tell what the author is trying to prove in the research. Needs to be more specific about Anthony’s impact on history. No connection to this year’s theme

Evaluation of Thesis Statements Thesis 2: Susan B. Anthony fought for the right to vote. The 19th amendment was passed in 1919. Needs to do more than just state facts, Needs more information about Anthony’s own role and its importance of history Needs theme connection. Is this a good thesis statement? Eh, it’s okay. Why or why not?

Evaluation of Thesis Statements This is a good thesis statement! Thesis 3: Through her social actions and writings, Susan B. Anthony inspired thousands to take the stand for suffrage, which fueled the Women’s Right Movement and eventually resulted in the 19th Amendment. Discusses importance in history. Specific about role and impact of Anthony. Has connection to the theme

It’s Time to Move on and work with a practice thesis statement!