Thesis Statements Definition of a Thesis Statement How to Construct a Strong Thesis Statement How to Tell a Strong Thesis Statement from a Weak One

What is a Thesis Statement? What is a thesis statement? Most important sentence in your paper The single sentence that ___________, ________, and / or _________ the topic of your essay and your approach to the topic Lets readers know your ___________ Answers: What am I trying to ________ through the research / points in my paper? formulates statessums up purpose prove

Four Characteristics of Strong Thesis Statements 1. A strong thesis statement takes some sort of stand. A thesis must show your conclusions about a topic. 2. A strong thesis statement justifies discussion. Your thesis should indicate the point of the discussion. (Quoted Source: Writing Tutorial Services, Indiana University- current and following slide)

Four Characteristics of Strong Thesis Statements 3. A strong thesis statement expresses one main idea. Readers need to be able to see that your paper has one main point. If your thesis statement expresses more than one idea, then you might confuse your readers about the subject of your paper. 4. A strong thesis statement is specific. A thesis statement should show exactly what your paper will be about, and will help you keep your paper to a manageable topic.

Thesis Statements Should: Be ________ What does this mean?? Thesis statements should not contain pre-established ______. Why? Thesis statements should present information and your ________________ to the information. Even though you don’t say, “________” or “________,” your thesis is your __________ based on the ________ and ___________ you’ve made as you’ve __________ for your paper. provable facts “take” or approach I think I believe opinionresearch conclusionsprepared

Thesis Statements Should: Take your essay’s purpose and audience into account Contain action verbs, strong adjectives, and specific, illustrative vocabulary Avoid- “___,” “___,” “_____,” etc. Avoid- “___________” or other vague, generalized statements isarehave many ways

Ideas for Stronger Verbs… Instead of “is / are” use _________________ Or _________________ __________________ Instead of “have” use ___________________ Or ________________ ___________________ Instead of “show” use___________________ Or ________________ ___________________

Constructing a Strong Thesis Statement How do you write a good thesis statement? Magic Formula: ________________+ ______________ + _________________________________ = Strong Thesis Statement Specific Topic Active Verb Point You are Proving (your approach)

Formula Example for Literature Specific Topic + Active Verb + Point You are Proving (your approach) = Strong Thesis Statement Even though it was written more than two thousand years ago, Homer’s epic The Odyssey + presents + a hero that today’s audiences can respect.= Strong Thesis Statement

Let’s Observe and Reflect… Literature Example: Even though it was written more than two thousand years ago, Homer’s epic The Odyssey + presents + a hero that today’s audiences can respect.= Strong Thesis Statement What do you notice about this thesis statement? How does it differ from past thesis construction ideas you may have learned? Is anything missing?

Formula Example for Science Specific Topic + Active Verb + Point You are Proving (your approach) = Strong Thesis Statement Nuclear power + provides + the cleanest source of energy to meet the demands of the twenty-first century. =Strong Thesis Statement

Two Different Approaches There are two ways to construct a strong thesis statement (and include your supporting details). Using the same magic formula, you can construct: A _______ Pronged Thesis aka. “the fork” A _____ Part Thesis aka. “the knife and the fork” Three Two

A Three Pronged Thesis This is the common ______ approach to writing thesis statements. Your thesis includes your ______, your ___________________, and the _______________________ you will use to prove and discuss your topic in the body of your essay. You may have more or less than 3 points depending on the size of your essay. PSSA topic approach to the topic three aspects / main points

A Three Pronged Thesis Example for Literature: Literary contemporaries William Shakespeare and Ben Jonson exhibit similar styles of language, character development, and plot execution. = Strong Thesis! Topic + active verb + 3 prongs / main points / the approach that you use to prove your topic = strong thesis 1 3 2

A Three Pronged Thesis Example for Science: Because it emits no greenhouse gasses, causes no atmospheric pollution, and harms no water or aquatic life, Nuclear power + provides + the cleanest source of energy to meet the demands of the twenty- first century. =Strong Thesis Statement 3 prongs / main points + Topic + active verb + the approach that you use to prove your topic = strong thesis 1 2 3

A Two Part Thesis As you grow as a writer, you should expand into the two part thesis approach. Here, you state your thesis and approach to topic in one sentence. This is actually the true definition of a thesis statement… one sentence with topic and approach. Following your “thesis sentence” you must then write a “_______” statement. You will put forth the main points of your paper (3 aspects / topics) in the “ ______” statement. details

A Two Part Thesis Example for Social Studies THESIS- When compared, the United States and the Philippines exhibit similar governing characteristics. DETAILS STATEMENT- Their federal branches, formal legal systems, and rules of cultural decorum correspond. Examine how the same formula is used. The thesis is clear, so are the 3 points that will help prove the thesis.

A Two Part Thesis Example for Science THESIS- Nuclear power provides the cleanest source of energy to meet the demands of the twenty-first century. DETAILS STATEMENT- It emits no greenhouse gasses, causes no atmospheric pollution, and harms no water or aquatic life. Examine how the same formula is used. The thesis is clear, so are the 3 points that will help prove the thesis.

A Two Part Thesis Example for Literature THESIS- Literary contemporaries William Shakespeare and Ben Jonson possess similar writing styles. DETAILS STATEMENT- They exhibit comparable word usage, character development, and plot execution.

Let’s Practice: Craft your own thesis Topic Ideas (Whatever you like/know about) Sports stars Musicians Songs Video games Novels Movies Actors/actresses Remember that your thesis must prove something! Similarities? Differences? Commonalities? Something else? -Circle the type of thesis you wrote -Provide an outline for an essay that uses that thesis

Works Cited Four Characteristics of Strong Thesis Statements (Quotations) Writing Tutorial Services, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN Parallel Structure Quotations and Examples The Purdue OWL Family of Sites. The Writing Lab and OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. 26 Aug Web. 18 Aug

Independent Thesis Practice Directions: Please identify the errors and correct the following thesis statements using the information provided and the notes you took in class. You are allowed to add your own information. Make sure to be specific. Write your answers directly on this handout in the spaces provided.

Remember to look out for: Vague, weak verbs- use action verbs Vague, weak, or generalized language Missing points (3 aspects the paper will cover) Incorrect format- Use of “I” or “This essay is about…” Lack of parallel structure / Inconsistent ordering within the 3- prong list (keep your nouns, adjectives, etc. in similar form) Facts- remember a thesis needs to be provable, not an already proven fact (facts go in the body of your essay) Disorganized approaches to the topic remember to stay focused and organized

#1: Correct this thesis statement using the 3 Pronged approach. Shakespeare influenced his culture in many ways. (*Create your own 3 points) What’s Wrong? _______________________ Your Revised Thesis: ______________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________

BETTER Shakespeare influenced his culture by creating new words, writing many plays, and raising the bar for playwrights.

#2: Correct this thesis statement using the 3 Pronged approach. I think that public safety education represents the best way to save lives during an earthquake. What’s Wrong? _______________________ Your Revised Thesis: ______________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________

BETTER Emergency action plans, prior safety training, and clear lines of communication represent the best ways to save lives during and earthquake.

#3: Correct this thesis statement using the 3 Pronged approach. In high school, teachers assign homework. What’s Wrong? _______________________ Your Revised Thesis: ______________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________

BETTER: In high school, teachers assign homework so that students practice the skill taught, demonstrate the skill without guidance, and gain a better understanding of the material.

#4: Correct this thesis statement using the 3 Pronged approach. Irony is shown in the following three stories, “The Most Dangerous Game,” “The Interlopers,” and “The Necklace” through character development. What’s Wrong? _______________________ Your Revised Thesis: ______________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________

BETTER The short stories “The Most Dangerous Game,” “The Interlopers,” and “The Necklace” employ irony to enhance character development.

#5. Correct this thesis statement using the two part thesis approach. Chocolate cake is easy to bake in three steps. First you add eggs to the batter. What’s Wrong? _______________________ Your Revised Thesis: ______________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________

BETTER Chocolate cake bakes easily in three steps. One must buy, combine, and cook the ingredients.

#6. Correct this thesis statement using the two part thesis approach. This essay is about China’s economy. China has many important natural resources. What’s Wrong? _______________________ Your Revised Thesis: ______________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________

BETTER China’s natural resources set the groundwork for its growing economy. Coal, iron ore, and petroleum provide the most lucrative opportunities for growth.

#7. Correct this thesis statement using the two part thesis approach. Wind energy is an alternative to fossil fuels. What’s Wrong? _______________________ Your Revised Thesis: ______________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________

BETTER FOR WIND ENERGY Wind energy constitutes a viable option to combat the nation’s dependence on fossil fuels. It represents a clean, sustainable, and easily harnessed natural resource.

BETTER AGAINST WIND ENERGY Though an alternative source of energy, wind technology does not offer a viable solution to curbing the nation’s dependence on fossil fuels. Its overwhelming cost, threat to natural wildlife, and large carbon footprint eliminate wind technology as a potential option.