Review: Thesis Writing APA Unit Hack

What is a thesis statement? A thesis statement is, more or less, a sentence that describes what exactly your paper is about. Usually located in the introduction of your paper, often at the end of the first paragraph. In a persuasive paper, your thesis statement will be the overall claim your paper is trying to make. Must correspond with the purpose and audience of the paper. If your purpose is “to argue” or persuade, then your thesis statement should tell the readers what you are planning to argue.

Recap: A good thesis statement will… 1. Tell the reader what your paper is about in one or two sentences 2. Correspond with the purpose and audience 3. Forecast all the information that follows it

Example of an effective, persuasive thesis statement: “All high schools should implement a year- round school calendar.” In this example, the reader expects the following paragraphs to argue why this thesis statement is true. Should have 3-5 reasons to back up the argument and will spend the rest of the paper explaining the reasons why all high schools should implement a year-round school calendar.

How to write a thesis statement: The first question to ask yourself is, “what is my purpose?” This is your overall point you are trying to make. Needs to be broad enough to encompass all of your supporting information but narrow enough so your reader knows exactly what you are arguing. If you are writing a persuasive paper, then you need a thesis that takes a stance that is supported by the information in your following body paragraphs (including research).

Examples of Thesis Statements: Too broad: “Health care in this country is in bad shape.” Unarguable: “Health care costs have skyrocketed in recent years.” Effective: “Due to the rising costs of healthcare and the number of uninsured individuals, the democratic majority in Washington must use its authority to implement health care reform legislation.”

Examples of Good Theses: 1. Due to the fact that year-round students show better knowledge retention and higher test scores, school districts across the country should implement a year- round schedule. 2. Though many musical groups steadfastly support the laws of copyright infringement, some bands encourage the sharing of digital music because it increases awareness, ticket sales, and merchandise profits. 3. The newly implemented USA Patriot Act grants our government authority and surveillance rights similar to the repressive methodology used by Big Brother’s Ministry of Truth in George Orwell’s 1984.

Evolution of Thesis (Bad to Good): Bad: The Kansas City Chiefs will be mediocre this year. Better: The Kansas City Chiefs will win eight games this year because they have better people and play bad teams. Even Better: The Kansas City Chiefs will win eight games this season. They have a new front office. They have a good draft and free agency this year. And they play a weak schedule. Even Better Yet: The Kansas City Chiefs will win eight games this season because of the new front office, better players, and weak schedule. Best: The Kansas City Chiefs will win eight games this season due to improved personnel in the front office, better players on the field acquired through draft and free agency, and a weak schedule.

How to get started: If you are struggling with getting starting: I am writing about ______________, and I am going to show or prove ______________, ______________, ________________. Example: I am writing about the history of the Civil War, and I am going to show how it started, the groups involved, and the impact it made in America. Next refine the sentence so it looks like this: The Civil War was an event in American history that started because of opposing beliefs, divided our country into two parts, and set the tone for equal rights in America.

Possible Topics: You are not allowed to do: Legalizing Marijuana, School Uniforms, Abortion, Cell Phones in School, or Gay Marriage After-School Sports Athletes in High School Animal Rights Bullying Beauty Contests Censorship College Athletes Divorce Fast food Feminism Infidelity Immigration Internet Regulation Media No Child Left Behind Online Schooling Obesity and Weight Loss Paparazzi Professional Sports Teen Pregnancy Video Games Voting Year-Round Schooling