 A thesis statement clearly states the topic of a composition.  It not only helps focus the main point of the composition by stating what you will PROVE in your paper, it gives the reader exact understanding of what will be covered.  A thesis statement declares your own unique perspective, your slant or take, on the subject.

 You must start all academic writing with a thesis statement.  If your thesis statement is flawed, then your paper is off to a rough start because I will not know what you are trying to prove.

 A thesis is a general sentence with a subject and a take.  Specific topic + attitude/angle/argument = Thesis  What you plan to argue + how you plan to argue it = Thesis

 Thesis statements for academic essays must also contain ATT&T. ◦ Author ◦ Title ◦ Type ◦ Time

 Writing Prompt: Choose a character that undergoes a transformation in response to a change in their environment.  Author + title + type + time + subject (character) + your take.  In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Jazz Age novel, The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald explores how the values of the upper class collapse under strain.  You will write yours on a separate piece of paper with your name, the name of the person who edited it, and your thesis statement.

 In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Jazz Age novel, The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald explores how the values of the upper class collapse under strain.  In Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare’s beloved tragic play, he explores Renaissance ideals of how love can kill you.  In Guy de Maupassant’s nineteenth century French short story, “The Necklace,” he explores how jealousy can ruin your life.

 One of your assessments (major test grade) for this 6 weeks is a literary analysis essays.  Writing Prompt: Choose a character that undergoes a transformation in response to a change in their environment.  Write your thesis statement  Peer share/edit. Show your thesis statement to a classmate. Then edit your thesis statement based on their comments.  Turn it in as you leave for the day.