The Thesis and Topic Sentencs Thesis: A sentence with a subject, opinion , and three pieces of evidence appearing at the end of introductory paragraph. Topic Sentences: A sentence relating to the thesis that focuses on the main idea of the paragraph

Constructing the Thesis Your thesis must contain a subject and your opinion as well as your pieces of evidence. Subject, opinion, because ____, ____, and ____/ For example: The University of Oklahoma is a great school because of it’s diversity, focus on academics, and athletics. Constructing the Thesis

Each body paragraphs topic sentence, which is the first sentence of each body paragraph, must address each of the three points of the thesis A topic sentence is the most important sentence in a paragraph. Sometimes referred to as a focus sentence, the topic sentence helps organize the paragraph by summarizing the information in the paragraph relating back to the thesis Topic Sentences

Examples of Theses and Topic Sentences THESIS Despite many thoughts about alpine skiing as a dangerous sport, it should be considered a safe sport because of refined equipment, safer ski lifts, and advanced facilities addressing accident more efficiently.. BODY PARAGRAPH TOPIC SENTNECES 1. The most important reason why skiing is safer today is the refined and top- quality equipment available. 2. In addition, today's rapid technology has produced more effective and safer ski lifts. 3. Even with safer equipment and ski lifts, accidents can happen; however, with advanced medical facilities at the ski areas, accidents are attended to much more efficiently.

Examples of Theses and Topic Sentences continued THESIS Basketball can be an extremely difficult game to play, and to be one of the best players, the athlete has to possess superior physical conditioning, offensive and defensive skills, and a mental attitude. TOPIC SENTENCES FOR BODY PARAGRAPHS 1. An important factor an excellent player must have is superior physical conditioning. 2. Physical conditioning is a necessity, but in order to be an effective player, an athlete must learn strong, aggressive offensive and defensive skills. 3. Finally, the most important skill the player must learn is to adopt and keep a positive mental attitude.

Examples of Theses and Topic Sentences continuted THESIS The action of other characters in the play actually drive Ophelia insane because of Laertes and Polonious advice, Hamlet’s ambivalent love, and Hamlet accidental murdering of her father. TOPIC SENTENCES Although Ophelia would like desperately to return Hamlet's love, Laertes and Polonious advise her to reject his love and to avoid seeing him. Secondly, Hamlet's on-again, off-again love also pushes Ophelia toward the depths of insanity. Finally, to compound Ophelia's sorrow, Hamlet accidentally murders her father, and she commits suicide because she can no longer deal with the multitude of negative experiences caused by others.

TEST YOURSELF Create a thesis and three topic sentences for the following prompts: Who in your life has been your biggest influence and why? What effect does birth order have on personality (or career)? How do video games affect children?