1 What is a thesis? The thesis is a sentence that tells the reader three things: 1)Topic of your paper, 2)Claim about the topic of your paper,* 3)And reasons the claim is correct. BTW, the topic and the claim together are called your “position”.

2 Thesis defined: In other words, a thesis sentence is like a mental map for your reader. The “map” tells the reader the topic, where you will “travel” in your paper, and how you will get to that destination. This simile will make sense shortly!

3 Thesis facts: It is usually the last sentence of the first paragraph, your introduction. It is the most important sentence of your entire essay. In one sentence you must include your position (topic and opinion) and reasons. (But most importantly, it is the first thing that the reader will look for in your essay. If you have a good thesis, you will no doubt make a favorable impression on the reader.)

TAKE NOTE: Your thesis MUST be strong for a strong paper; if you have a wimpy thesis, you will have a wimpy paper. YES!!!!! 4 NO!!!!

5 Let’s look at a thesis sentence: Smoking should be banned in public places because smoke pollutes the environment, contaminates our lungs, and smells terrible. Note: Thesis is one sentence composed of two parts.

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7 Unscramble the thesis: and is too expensive. fast food should be banned promotes a sedentary lifestyle, because it contributes to heart disease and obesity, (Learning the right order of the thesis sentence is important. So try to unscramble this sentence.)

8 Corrected thesis: Fast food should be banned because it contributes to heart disease and obesity, promotes a sedentary lifestyle, and is too expensive.

9 Let’s look at a poor thesis sentence: I believe teenagers should get paid minimum wage because they do the same amount of work, equal labor rights, and they need the money. (In this thesis sentence the reasons are not parallel which means that they are not in the same grammatical form. Do your best to improve and then take a look at the improved version on the next slide.)

10 Improved version: Teenagers should get paid minimum wage because teenage workers do the same amount of work, enjoy equal labor rights, and need the money.

11 Rewrite this sentence: I myself say that all citizens at the age of 18 should serve one year in the military because they will learn to work. Also, learn patriotism. Furthermore, they will learn to get along with people. (Keep your thesis statement ONE SENTENCE! Do not break it up in to separate sentences because you will use too many words. In this particular thesis sentence, the second and third “ sentences” are not sentences but fragments.

12 Correction: All 18-year-old citizens should serve one year in the military because they will learn to work, be patriotic, and get along with people.

13 Complete: Trash-burning fires should be banned because _________________________, _________________________, and_______________________ _________________________.

14 Complete: _____________________ ___________________ because they are dangerous and cause many unnecessary deaths.

15 Assignment: Write a thesis sentence for the following prompt. Do you think that all GHS students should wear uniforms to school on a daily basis?