The Thesis You already know this – but it never hurts to review!

Two Parts to your thesis 1. Your limited subject 2. Your point of view (or attitude) about that subject (Your topic and Your Comment)

Common Problems...  Don’t write a highly opinionated statement  Don’t make an announcement  Don’t make a factual statement  Don’t make a broad statement

Just a few hints...  Not a question  No quotes  1 sentence or 2 – no more  Avoid shady pronouns – be specific  Will always be the last sentence of your intro paragraph.

For Your Thesis: Topic Why is your problem so bad? (comment) Solution Typically we only have two parts to the thesis – this time we will have three!

Sample Thesis Statements These are PURPOSELY not perfect! I don’t want you just to copy these! They have issues, but will get you moving in the right direction!

Hate groups have plagued society with immoral ideals and values. New laws and consequences should be made in order to diminish their causes.

Zero-tolerance policies do little to protect schools and students. It is imperative that schools embrace a more flexible disciplinary action in order to get back to the basics of teaching.

In order to help lower juvenile crime statistics, society must first address the influx of school crime and then focus on sentencing guidelines.

Global warming is affecting the environment today and will eventually be a force to be reckoned with; the denouement of global warming will be fatal. Knowing the causes of global warming will arm society with the necessary weapons to protect and preserve the delicate balance of the atmosphere.

The teen fad of indoor tanning is produced by the overwhelming pressures in society to be picture perfect, yet the harmful consequences heavily outweigh the almost instantaneous fictitious beauty. It is imperative that teens learn about the immense health risks of indoor tanning before a violent plague of melanoma skin cancer erupts.

Potentially dangerous OTC drugs are a serious risk to the public health and government measures must be created to limit OTC medications and inform the populace of dangers.

Posthumous conception without consent is highly unethical and should not be an option for child bearing. Doctors need to be given specific guidelines to follow in order to avoid any future immoral practices.

More juvenile offenders are being tried as adults, defying the purpose of the juvenile court system. To protect the youth, the focus of treatment needs to be on rehabilitation and not punishment.

For Your Thesis: Topic Comment (problem) Solution (stay in third person!)

A quick reminder: It is critical that this ends; therefore, this must happen. I like cheese; cheddar is delightful. I think monkeys are creepy, and I am disappointed you like them.

The Thesis Statement Must be in third person, no: I, you, we, us, our, me, my, mine, your... Cross out any 1 st or 2 nd person words you find! Can be two sentences. Must have the topic, comment, and big solution. Cannot have old, tired, worn-out words – highlight any words that need to be replaced. Cannot have any data or statistics in it. Cannot have abbreviations – like tv. Must have proper spelling. Must have correct agreement! Cannot be too wordy! Cannot have any shady pronouns – remove words like: this & these. Must be able to stand on its own! Must be void of spelling errors! Identify them if you find them! Know the difference between effect (noun) and affect (verb). Must create a sense of urgency – the thesis must show that this really is a problem and something must be done!