Thesis Statements Writing to Persuade

What is a thesis statement? Tells your reader the main point or controlling idea of your essay. Tells your reader the main point or controlling idea of your essay. Is ONE or TWO Sentences long Is ONE or TWO Sentences long Located in the introduction of a short essay Located in the introduction of a short essay

A GOOD THESIS STATEMENT States the writer’s clearly defined opinion on a subject States the writer’s clearly defined opinion on a subject Many people have different opinions on whether people under twenty-one should be permitted to drink alcohol, and I agree with some of them. Many people have different opinions on whether people under twenty-one should be permitted to drink alcohol, and I agree with some of them.OR The legal minimum age for purchasing alcohol should be eighteen rather than twenty-one. The legal minimum age for purchasing alcohol should be eighteen rather than twenty-one.

A GOOD THESIS STATEMENT Asserts ONE main idea Asserts ONE main idea High school athletes shouldn’t have to maintain a certain grade-point average to participate in school sports since the value of sports is often worth the lower academic average. High school athletes shouldn’t have to maintain a certain grade-point average to participate in school sports since the value of sports is often worth the lower academic average.OR For some students, participation in sports may be more valuable than achieving a high grade-point average. For some students, participation in sports may be more valuable than achieving a high grade-point average.

A GOOD THESIS STATEMENT Has something WORTHWHILE to say Has something WORTHWHILE to say Dogs have always been man’s best friend. Dogs have always been man’s best friend. Can we say b-o-r-i-n-g? ZZZzzzzzzzzz Can we say b-o-r-i-n-g? ZZZzzzzzzzzz Instead, select a subject that will interest, amuse, challenge, persuade or enlighten your reader Instead, select a subject that will interest, amuse, challenge, persuade or enlighten your reader Dogs have always been man’s best friend, but Elvis, a therapy dog, is an integral part of treatment for children with cancer at Hope House. Dogs have always been man’s best friend, but Elvis, a therapy dog, is an integral part of treatment for children with cancer at Hope House.

A GOOD THESIS STATEMENT Is limited to fit the assignment Is limited to fit the assignment Narrow your subject to fit a five to eight paragraph essay Narrow your subject to fit a five to eight paragraph essay FOCUS your essay on an important part of a broader subject FOCUS your essay on an important part of a broader subject Instead of… Nuclear power should be banned in this country. (There are books written about this topic !) Nuclear power should be banned in this country. (There are books written about this topic !)TRY… Because of its poor safety record in the last two years, the Collier Parish nuclear power plant should be shut down. Because of its poor safety record in the last two years, the Collier Parish nuclear power plant should be shut down.

A GOOD THESIS STATEMENT Is stated in specific terms Is stated in specific terms The women’s movement is good for our country. The women’s movement is good for our country. What group is the writer referring to? What group is the writer referring to? How is it good? How is it good? For whom is it good? For whom is it good? The Northshore Women’s Party is working to ensure the benefits of equal pay for equal work for both males and females in our area. The Northshore Women’s Party is working to ensure the benefits of equal pay for equal work for both males and females in our area.

A GOOD THESIS STATEMENT Is easily recognized as the main idea and is often located in the first or second paragraph Is easily recognized as the main idea and is often located in the first or second paragraph Your essay is not a detective story, so don’t keep your readers in suspense. Your essay is not a detective story, so don’t keep your readers in suspense.

Five Mistakes to Avoid 1. State an attitude toward the subject. Don’t just announce your subject matter or describe your intentions. 1. State an attitude toward the subject. Don’t just announce your subject matter or describe your intentions. The subject of this theme is my experience with a pet boa constrictor. (This announces the subject) The subject of this theme is my experience with a pet boa constrictor. (This announces the subject) My pet boa constrictor, Sir Pent, was a much better bodyguard than my dog, Fang. (This states an opinion that will be explained and illustrated in the essay) My pet boa constrictor, Sir Pent, was a much better bodyguard than my dog, Fang. (This states an opinion that will be explained and illustrated in the essay)

Five Mistakes to Avoid 2. Don’t clutter your thesis with expressions such as “in my opinion” or “in this essay I’ll argue that” 2. Don’t clutter your thesis with expressions such as “in my opinion” or “in this essay I’ll argue that” Express your opinions boldly; with conviction Express your opinions boldly; with conviction My opinion is that the federal government should devote more money to solar energy research. My opinion is that the federal government should devote more money to solar energy research. The federal government should devote more money to solar energy research. The federal government should devote more money to solar energy research.

Five Mistakes to Avoid 3. Don’t be unreasonable. Don’t insult any reader; avoid irresponsible charges, name calling nad profanity. 3. Don’t be unreasonable. Don’t insult any reader; avoid irresponsible charges, name calling nad profanity. Radical right-wing fanatics across the nation are trying to impose their right-wing views by Radical right-wing fanatics across the nation are trying to impose their right-wing views by censoring high school library books. censoring high school library books. Only local school board members—not religious leaders or parents—should decide which books high school libraries should order. Only local school board members—not religious leaders or parents—should decide which books high school libraries should order.

Five Mistakes to Avoid 4. Don’t just state a FACT. A thesis is an assertion that leads to discussion 4. Don’t just state a FACT. A thesis is an assertion that leads to discussion Child abuse is a terrible problem. (Who would not agree that child abuse is terrible?) Child abuse is a terrible problem. (Who would not agree that child abuse is terrible?) Child-abuse laws in this state are too lenient for repeat offenders. Child-abuse laws in this state are too lenient for repeat offenders.

Five Mistakes to Avoid 5. Don’t express your thesis in the form of a question unless the answer is obvious to your reader 5. Don’t express your thesis in the form of a question unless the answer is obvious to your reader Why should every high school student be required to take two years of foreign language? Why should every high school student be required to take two years of foreign language? Only high school students who plan to attend college should have to take two years of foreign language. Only high school students who plan to attend college should have to take two years of foreign language.

Just to review…… A GOOD THESIS STATEMENT Is easily recognized as the main idea and is often located in the first or second paragraph Is easily recognized as the main idea and is often located in the first or second paragraph Is clearly stated in specific terms Is clearly stated in specific terms Asserts ONE main idea Asserts ONE main idea Is limited to fit the assignment Is limited to fit the assignment Has something WORTHWHILE to say Has something WORTHWHILE to say States the writer’s clearly defined opinion on a subject States the writer’s clearly defined opinion on a subject

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