Thesis Statements 101 The most important SENTENCE in any text!

A GOOD thesis sentence has three main parts:  1) the limited subject (what your paper is about),  2) the precise opinion (what you're trying to say about that subject), and  3) the essay mapessay (a brief outline of how you're going to support your claim – should explain “HOW” or “WHY” your idea/opinion is right or strong; Rationale)

Basic Example  1)Subject: Restoring old houses (Circle the subject)  2)Opinion: Restoring old houses is rewarding. (underline the opinion)  3)Essay map: It is exciting, relaxing, and satisfying. (box the essay map)

Basic Thesis Statement  >Use “BECAUSE” to put it all together into a Basic Thesis Statement:  Restoring old houses is rewarding BECAUSE it is exciting, relaxing, and satisfying.

Strong Thesis Statement  >Use qualifiers like ALTHOUGH, WHEN, IF and revise vocabulary into a Strong Thesis Statement”:  When antique houses are restored, home-owners not only reap the benefits of a new home but also the excitement, relaxation, and satisfaction of the process.

Revision: BASIC to STRONG  Restoring old houses is rewarding BECAUSE it is exciting, relaxing, and satisfying.  When antique houses are restored, home-owners not only reap the benefits of a new home but also the excitement, relaxation, and satisfaction of the process.

Dr. Thesis: Diagnosis  Each of the following thesis patients has a sickness. Diagnose the problem and give a prescription. 1) Chefs are better than cooks. 2) Steroid abuse 3) Hip hop is the best thing that has happened to music in twenty years. 4) I enjoy white water rafting.

Weak > Basic > Great > Strong  Chefs are better than cooks.  Chefs are better than cooks because chefs have more education, are more professional, and are creative with the food they create.  ALTHOUGH both chefs and cooks can prepare fine meals, chefs differ from cooks in education, professional commitment, and artistry.

Weak > Basic > Great > Strong  Steroid abuse  Steroids should be banned from sports.  Steroids should be banned from sports BECAUSE athletes tend to abuse them.  Steroids, even those legally available, are addictive and should be banned from sports.

Weak > Basic > Great > Strong  Hip hop is the best thing that has happened to music in twenty years.  Hip hop is the best thing that has happened to music in twenty years BECAUSE it gives kids a way of expressing themselves and is an example of poetry found in the streets.  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.

Weak > Basic > Great > Strong  I enjoy white water rafting.  I enjoy white water rafting BECAUSE it is challenging and transforming.  A first water rafting experience can challenge the body and spirit and transform an adolescent into an adult.  Although white water rafting can be dangerous, a first water rafting experience can actually challenge the body and spirit and transform an adolescent into an adult.

Your Turn to Play Dr. Thesis  For each student thesis, diagnose the problem and the prescription needed. (Which part of the thesis is present and which is missing?  Determine if it is Weak, Basic, Great, or Strong.  Revise the thesis into a Great or Strong Thesis.

Application Time  Time to apply your knowledge and understanding of thesis statements.  Prompt: Analyze how elements of the plot help make “Love in L.A.” realistic in today’s society.

 The plot of “Love in L.A.” is realistic.  The plot of “Love in L.A.” is realistic because it involves real-life places, people, and situations that today’s society can relate to.  Because of the real-life people and situations involved, today’s society can relate to the plot of “Love in L.A.”  Although many fiction stories have imaginary elements, “Love in L.A.” presents realistic qualities in its characters and situations that today’s society can relate to.

Task & Goal  Each of you should be able to complete the TASK: Write a BASIC Thesis Statement.  Your GOAL is to: Write a GREAT or STRONG Thesis Statement!