1. THESIS STATEMENTS

2. COMPONENTS OF A THESIS STATEMENT It has a subject and a verb It has a subject and a verb It presents the controlling idea of the entire paper. That is, it explicitly identifies the purpose of the paper. It presents the controlling idea of the entire paper. That is, it explicitly identifies the purpose of the paper. The more general your assertion (claim), the longer your paper will be. The more general your assertion (claim), the longer your paper will be.

3. EXAMPLE of a BROAD THESIS STATEMENT (for an entire book!) (subject) The misrepresentation of war in Iraq by the media (claim) has negatively affected Americans economically, politically, and socially. (subject) The misrepresentation of war in Iraq by the media (claim) has negatively affected Americans economically, politically, and socially.

4. A thesis statement is narrow and specific rather than broad and general. Example: Broad: Iraq never had weapons. Narrow: Despite claims by the current government, as yet, there is no substantial proof as to the existence of weapons of mass destruction.

5. A thesis statement is an assertion, not a statement of fact or an observation. example: Fact or observation: People watch the news about the war in Iraq. Fact or observation: People watch the news about the war in Iraq. Thesis: People who watch FOX news are more likely to have misinformation about the war in Iraq. Thesis: People who watch FOX news are more likely to have misinformation about the war in Iraq.

6. A thesis statement takes a stand rather than announcing a subject. Example: Announcement: The thesis of this paper is misrepresentation by Fox News and CNN of the war in Iraq. Announcement: The thesis of this paper is misrepresentation by Fox News and CNN of the war in Iraq. Thesis: Fox News and CNN have misrepresented four major events with regard to the war in Iraq. Thesis: Fox News and CNN have misrepresented four major events with regard to the war in Iraq.

7. A thesis statement has one main point. Example: More than one point: The actual rescue of private Lynch differs greatly from what was presented to the public by the media, and it is the subject of a forthcoming movie. More than one point: The actual rescue of private Lynch differs greatly from what was presented to the public by the media, and it is the subject of a forthcoming movie. One point: The actual rescue of private Lynch differs greatly from what was presented by the media to the public. One point: The actual rescue of private Lynch differs greatly from what was presented by the media to the public.

8. PRACTICE 1. Number a piece of paper from 1-7. 2. Read the following statements. Which ones are valid thesis statements? Write a T. Write NT if it is not a valid thesis statement. REMEMBER: A thesis statement can not be: A TITLE; A TITLE; A FACT OR AN OBSERVATION; A FACT OR AN OBSERVATION; BE ANNOUNCED BE ANNOUNCED

9. EXERCISE ONE 1. I want to tell you about the many defects in the administration’s proposals. 2. Al Capone, the Chicago gang leader. 3. Al Capone was nicknamed “Scarface”. 4. Justice delayed is justice denied. 5. My thesis asks whether affirmative action programs are just anew form of racism. 6. It is not only poor people who get government handouts. 7. The United States is currently in Iraq.

10. EXERCISE TWO A good thesis statement should be unified, and specific. Number your paper from 1-5. Write G if the thesis statement is good and NG if it is not good.

11. GOOD AND NOT SO GOOD THESIS STATEMENTS 1. For the last three hundred years, the British and the Americans have erred with regard to invading other countries. 2. The British and the Americans erred on two important points with regard to the necessity of invading Iraq. 3. The invasion of Iraq caused a number of problems. 4. Newspapers have always given us accurate and timely information. 5. No WMD were found in Iraq and the invasion has caused many humanitarian problems.

12. SOME FINAL WORDS Try writing a number of theses. These are your working theses. Try writing a number of theses. These are your working theses. You can revise your thesis statement whenever you want to while you are writing your essay. Writers often discover what their real purpose and point is in the process of putting their thoughts into words. You can revise your thesis statement whenever you want to while you are writing your essay. Writers often discover what their real purpose and point is in the process of putting their thoughts into words.

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