The Sheridan-Baker Thesis Machine How to create a GREAT thesis for all of your papers!

What is a thesis statement? 1 sentence SUMMARY of your ENTIRE paper Found in the first paragraph Example: Although an essay may sound complete without a thesis, a thesis is necessary because it tells the reader what to expect, summarizes the whole paper and shows that the author has a plan and purpose.

First Paragraph: Introduction Background info Thesis Middle Paragraphs: Body of the essay Details and Facts Final Paragraph: Conclusion Restate your thesis

First Paragraph: Introduction Background info Thesis Everything that you write AFTER the thesis MUST relate to the thesis!!! Middle Paragraphs: Body of the essay Details and Facts Final Paragraph: Conclusion Restate your thesis

A GREAT thesis should have: Concessive Clause (in an argument paper) + position approximately 3 reasons optional: forecasting statement

What is a concessive clause? A concessive clause is used to concede (to give credit to the other side). Examples: Though, although, even though, while, and even if. Why is it important to give credit to the OPPOSITE argument in your paper?

What is a “position statement”? Stating your main idea as FACT Example: Dogs make the best pets. Hip Hop is the coolest music. The French Revolution was the bloodiest revolution of its time. Mrs. Thomsen’s class is the most interesting class at DHS. Even if it is not true, you are stating it as fact to persuade your reader!

Why is it important to state your position? You need to let the reader know what you are going to prove in your essay!

Why give 3+ reasons? The more reasons you give to back up your position, the BETTER!! Each reason mentioned in your thesis needs to be discussed in your paper!

Let’s look at some examples: Good thesis or bad? Dogs are great pets, I think they are the best.

Good thesis or bad? Dogs are great pets, I think they are the best BAD!!! Why?

Example: Dogs are great pets, I think they are the best. There are no factual reasons to back it up! It is missing the concessive clause It is written in 1st person (this is only ok when it is an opinion paper)

Dogs are great pets, I think they are the best Better example: Dogs are the best pets because they offer protection, they are fun, and they can help you get exercise. OR Even though cats are easy to care for, dogs are better pets because they offer protection, they are fun, and they can help you get exercise.

Quick and easy formula: _____________(position statement)________________ because ______________________ _______(reason 1)__________, _______(reason 2)__________, and ______(reason 3)___________.

Advanced: Quick and Easy Formula Although _____(opposite argument)_________, _____________(position statement)________________ because ______________________ _______(reason 1)__________, _______(reason 2)__________, and ______(reason 3)___________.

Practice Question/topic: What is the best kind of music and why? Formula: ________________ is the best kind of music because ______________, _______________, and __________________.

This was adapted from: Writing Process Resources * This was adapted from: Writing Process Resources. The Writing Program, Univ. of Southern California. 28 Sept. 2000