Think Up A Thesis A thesis: Clearly states the main idea and purpose of the essay. Takes a stand on an issue and is not a statement-of-fact. If a counter-argument can’t be made, you didn’t write a thesis. Specific, rather than vague and generalized. If fully exploring your topic would involve writing multiple books, it is much too broad and needs to be focused more. Does not use I unless you have personal knowledge. You wrote the paper, everyone knows it is what you think. Is the last sentence in your opening paragraph. Formula: Thesis = Central Idea + Opinion + Alluded Example: Although there are many talented student teachers at North County High School, Mr. Pat is by far the best because he is funny, vastly intelligent, and wears brilliant ties. 1.Justin Bieber is the best musical artist that has ever lived in the entire history of time and space. Problem: ____________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Fix: ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ 2.In Romeo and Juliet, two families feud with each other and refuse to let two crazy teens pursue their bubbly dreams of love, which ultimately causes the death and demise of many people, including the lovers themselves. Problem: ____________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Fix: ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ 3. I think that the Nurse is the true hero in Romeo and Juliet. Problem: ____________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Fix: ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ 4.He does not qualify because of his inability to tell funny jokes. Problem: ____________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Fix: ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Review the thesis statements below. Identify the problem with it, and then rewrite it to make it effective.

Time for you to write a thesis statement! Read the question, and then write three thesis statements for it. Each should be slightly better than the last, and the best one should make Mr. Pat proud to call himself your teacher! Bad Better Best Bad Better Best Should students have to wear uniforms? Essay Prep: Central Idea:________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ Opinion: ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ Support:____________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ Thesis Statement: ____________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ Should students be allowed to listen to Ipods in school? Identify the three components that should be included in your thesis statement. Once you have written out all three, combine them into one fantastic thesis statement!