It’s Time to Write a strong Thesis Statement! Packet #3 Working Thesis

Building a Strong Thesis Statement After you have collected the evidence for each of your ideas, it’s time to create one strong statement that will tell your reader what this paper will be about. A Thesis Statement: Is a guide to your paper Tells the reader the subject matter Let’s the reader know what to expect from your paper Your thesis statement can change as you find new information.

Building a Strong Thesis Statement Tips to remember as you are writing your thesis statement: 1.Make sure your thesis covers the scope of the paper (effectively addresses all topics in your paper). 2.Don’t be too obvious. Think of a way to state your ideas differently than just repeating them. 3.Don’t start your opinion with “I believe…” or “In my opinion…” These are weak beginnings. State your thesis directly for a strong paper. 4.Keep your statement to one sentence. It’s more direct this way. The reader will know exactly what you are writing about and not have to guess. Think for a moment… How would I begin my thesis? What ideas will I be writing about? How could I state these ideas in this one sentence and keep my reader interested?

Building a Strong Thesis Statement Example Thesis: 1.I’m going to discuss the career of a psychologist. What do you think about this statement? Is it strong enough? Do you know what the paper will be about? Does the writer tell you specifics about what you are going to learn about a degree in psychology or the job of a psychologist? ANSWER: This statement is an announcement, not a thesis. There are no details or direction as to what you will learn about the career in psychology. Also, this statement is not very catchy. How many people will want to read it? Not many.

Building a Strong Thesis Statement Example Thesis: 2.There are many reasons someone might want to become a psychologist. What do you think about this statement? Is it strong enough? Do you know what the paper will be about? Does the writer tell you specifics about what you are going to learn about a degree in psychology or the job of a psychologist? ANSWER: This is a “so what?” thesis. Your reader already knows this. There is nothing new or compelling. It’s too broad and it lacks enough details to make the reader curious about your details.

Building a Strong Thesis Statement Example Thesis: 3.Some people might think that becoming a psychologist is a good career to have. What do you think about this statement? Is it strong enough? Do you know what the paper will be about? Does the writer tell you specifics about what you are going to learn about a degree in psychology or the job of a psychologist? ANSWER: This is better, but who are “some people?” and why do we care what they “might” think? This statement is starting to develop a strong thesis statement, but since it states “some people” it lacks any interest.

Building a Strong Thesis Statement Example Thesis: 4.Becoming a psychologist is a challenging career. What do you think about this statement? Is it strong enough? Do you know what the paper will be about? Does the writer tell you specifics about what you are going to learn about a degree in psychology or the job of a psychologist? ANSWER: This is a clear statement and definitely has enough detail to tell the reader what they will read. So what’s wrong with it? It’s a statement that can’t be supported by research. You’d have a difficult time finding evidence to support this thesis and it is not very interesting.

Building a Strong Thesis Statement Example Thesis: 5.A degree in psychology can lead to many different career choices and can lead one to finding secrets hidden in the human brain. What do you think about this statement? Is it strong enough? Do you know what the paper will be about? Does the writer tell you specifics about what you are going to learn about a degree in psychology or the job of a psychologist? ANSWER: This thesis shows that you’ve done your research and it is interesting. The reader knows what to expect from the rest of the essay. The reader would also ask the question, “What secrets?”

Building a Strong Thesis Statement On page 19, try writing a working thesis for your paper, based on the research you have done. Consider your three ideas. You may want to rewrite these here before you try to write your thesis. Remember that this is a working thesis… you can change it, so don’t worry about it sounding weird or not quite right yet.

Building a Strong Thesis Statement Thesis Questions: Answer these questions about your thesis. 1.Is my thesis clear? ____ 2.Is my thesis one sentence? _____ 3.Does my thesis fit the scope of my paper? ____ 4.Does my thesis contain my ideas? ____ 5.Can I support my ideas with research? ____ 6.Does the reader know what to expect from the rest of the paper? ____ Find three partners. Read their thesis and answer the questions about their thesis. Be honest about with your feedback. State your feedback in a positive manner.

Building a Strong Thesis Statement Thesis Questions: Answer these questions about your thesis. 1.Is my thesis clear ____ 2.Is my thesis one sentence? _____ 3.Does my thesis fit the scope of my paper? ____ 4.Does my thesis contain my ideas? ____ 5.Can I support my ideas with research? ____ 6.Does the reader know what to expect from the rest of the paper? ____ Find a seat with your last partner. Take turns to discuss your “Research/Article Worksheets”. Compare your partner’s research to their thesis. Do their ideas and evidence match their thesis? I will circulate to read your working thesis. Have it ready.

Building a Strong Thesis Statement Tell your partner thank you! Reminders: “Research/Article Worksheets” are due tomorrow. Your thesis grade will go in as missing if you did not show this to me before you leave today.