Writing a Thesis Statement Taken from http://writingcenter. unc A thesis statement declares what you believe and what you intend to prove. A thesis statement is a road map for the paper; in other words, it tells the reader what to expect from the rest of the paper. A good thesis statement makes the difference between a thoughtful research project and a simple retelling of facts.

A Thesis WILL: Fully address and answer the question Take a position about the question posed Provide organizational categories or driving ideas It can vary in length from one sentence to several sentences.

A thesis statement… is a sentence (that is NOT written in first person, ie. “I believe” or “In my opinion”) is debatable, but takes a stand is specific and focused (does not use vague language like “it seems”) is the controlling idea for the entire paper justifies (shows sufficient reason for) discussion is clear, strong and easy to find clearly declares your own conclusion based on evidence is most often located at the end of the opening paragraph

Thesis as a Roadmap The thesis of any good research paper will give the reader a clear roadmap of the rest of the paper This is done by including THREE DRIVING IDEAS or ORGANIZATIONAL CATEGORIES These “driving ideas” or main points of your paper, will focus your paper. They will be in the SAME ORDER as your supporting evidence paragraphs. Your driving main ideas may be in your thesis or they may stand alone after the thesis.

Does your thesis pass this test? Does it inspire a reasonable reader to ask, “How? Or Why?” Would a reasonable reader NOT respond with “Duh!”, “So what?”, or “Who cares?” Does the thesis lead the reader toward the topic sentences in each paragraph? Can the thesis be adequately developed in the required length of the paper?

Which one is a strong thesis? Why? I believe that being a chef is a great profession. Although both chefs and cooks can prepare fine meals, chefs differ from cooks in education, professional commitment and artistry. Steroids, even those legally available, are addictive and should be banned from sports. Steroids should not be allowed in sports. The Pearl by John Steinbeck is about greed and injustice. The Pearl by John Steinbeck demonstrates the effects of greed and injustice on an individual, on a family unit and on a society. Hip Hop is the best thing that has happened to music in twenty years. Though many people dismiss hip hop as offensive, hip hop music offers urban youth an important opportunity for artistic expression, and allows them to articulate the poetry of the street.

Writing a Good Lead Taken from http://www. pps. k12. or The introduction should have a HOOK (Attention-getter), that certain something that grabs or catches the reader’s attention. Here are a few examples: Open with an unusual detail or statistic, startling or striking fact from an authoritative source – Thirteen teachers, two students and one police officer killed in a Munich, Germany high school; thirteen students killed and dozens wounded in Littleton, Colorado at Columbine High School… Open with a strong statement – Cell phones are the number one cause of death for teen drivers!

Writing a Good Lead Taken from http://www. pps. k12. or 3. Open with a quotation – Elbert Hubbard once said, “Truth is stranger than fiction.” 4. Open with an engaging question – Have you ever considered how many books we’d read if it weren’t for television?

Leads con’t 5. Open with an anecdote (Anecdotes are stories, from your own experience or someone else's, told to make a point.) - Some say that we shouldn’t worry about the big tests, but let me tell you, man they ALWAYS stressed me out. I would trudge down the hall to the testing room. Yellow number 2 pencils in hand - oh yea, sharpened - must be freshly sharpened,. There I would be debased to a number only, and told that the test would determine my knowledge. My cynicism would always decry, how can a test really measure how much I know? This test doesn’t know what to test me on to prove what I know. 6. Open with an exaggeration or outrageous statement – Hey! Do you hear a kind of groaning sound? Could it be ...? Yes, it's millions of kids marching off to take some standardized tests!

Introductory Paragraph (#1) The introductory paragraph introduces the topic and lets the reader know where you are going with it. This paragraph needs to begin with a attention grabbing lead and a few sentences that go with the lead. This will lead into three supporting “DRIVING ideas” or organizational categories that support the thesis statement, which generally comes at the end of the paragraph. The three supporting/organizational ideas can be in the thesis statement or they could stand alone.

Introduction Cont Some flexibility with how to start – lead options Key is to start in a way that makes the reader want to find out more. See notes on various types of leads NEXT part of the introduction should be a few sentences that give a historical background about the subject, and generally introduces the topic about which you are writing. These sentences should also start leading the reader to the thesis for the entire paper

Think of Introduction Like This: LEAD: attention grabbing sentence that is on topic Sentence about first sentence that gives historical context to your writing Basic informational sentences that leads to the thesis THESIS and driving ideas

Introductory Paragraph Example “When will I ever use this?” my students lament as class is coming to an end. I stand in awe that they have not enjoyed learning the 45 ways to correctly use a comma. How could that not be the highlight of their day? Being a proficient writer will help students get accepted into a reputable college, and is a necessary skill when applying for awards and scholarships. Therefore, it will help open up many opportunities for the future. Learning to become a proficient writer is the most important skill a student will learn in school.

Supporting Paragraphs (#2,#3,#4) There should be one supporting paragraph written for each of the supporting ideas in the introductory paragraph. They MUST appear in the SAME order that they are listed in the thesis (same as Organizational Categories/Driving Ideas). Each of these paragraphs MUST open with a transition and a topic sentence that leads the reader into the evidence for the supporting idea in that paragraph. The first sentence of this paragraph needs to be a topic sentence for the information given in this paragraph. All the evidence given needs to revolve around a single supporting idea. EACH piece of evidence in the paragraph needs to be fully explained as to how it answers your claim. The paragraph should end with a concluding sentence that restates the topic sentence and briefly introduces the next topic.

Supporting Paragraph Example Students who are skilled writers have a better chance at getting accepted into a reputable college or university. For example, the University of Michigan requires prospective students to write two 250 word essays along with a 500 word essay (“University of Michigan,” 2010). Grand Valley State University requires student applicants to write an essay to the following prompt: “Describe your educational achievements in the face of any challenging social, economic, or cultural circumstances that you have encountered” (“Undergraduate Admissions, GVSU”, 2010).” The students applying to Grand Valley are also asked to “Tell what unique perspectives [they] will bring to our university” (Undergraduate Admissions, GVSU, 2010). If a student does not respond to these essay prompts with thorough answers, complete thoughts, and correct grammar, the university will simply move on to one of the next thousand applications they have received. Therefore, being accepted into a reputable college or university depends on being able to competently answer an essay question at a high level of proficiency, and with this proficiency students are better able to apply for awards and scholarships.

Concluding Paragraph In 3-5 sentences this paragraph should bring closure to the reader, summing up the points or providing a final perspective on the topic. A strong conclusion could make a real impact on the reader. This paragraph should restate the thesis and supporting ideas in a new and different way reminding them of the most important aspects of the essay. This paragraph should end with a statement that leaves the a final impression on the reader and leaves them thinking. If done carefully this can be your thesis.

Format Outline Introduction Lead Introduction of topic and historical background Thesis/Claim with driving ideas/organizational categories Body Paragraphs – in the same order as driving ideas/organizational categories. Transition - Topic sentence Evidence Explain evidence Clincher sentence – summarize topic for this paragraph and introduce next paragraph Conclusion Revisit ALL of your body paragraphs Re-state your claim/thesis in an interesting way Introduction Lead Introduction of topic and historical background Thesis/Claim with driving ideas/organizational categories Body Paragraphs – in the same order as driving ideas/organizational categories. Transition - Topic sentence Evidence Explain evidence Clincher sentence – summarize topic for this paragraph and introduce next paragraph Conclusion Revisit ALL of your body paragraphs Re-state your claim/thesis in an interesting way Repeat as many times as needed