1. A Road Map for Your Essay
The Thesis Statement
A Road Map for Your Essay

2. What is a thesis statement?
MOST IMPORTANT SENTENCE
in your paper!

3. What is a thesis statement?
A road map for the rest of the paper
Lets the reader know the main idea of the paper
Answers the question: “What am I trying to prove?”
Not a factual statement, but a claim that has to be proven throughout the paper
The engine that drives the car
Key Concept: A definition of a thesis statement is offered in this slide. The facilitator may choose to emphasize to students the difference between a claim that has to be proven and a statement of fact.
Click mouse to reveal answers to the question.

4. Role of the Thesis Statement:
should guide your reader through your argument
should be located in the introduction of the paper (at the end)
*may also be located within the body of the paper, depending upon the purpose or argument of the paper, but this practice is not recommended
Key Concept: This slide discusses the role of the thesis statement in the paper. Thesis statements are often located in the introduction, thereby setting up for the reader the claims of the argument. However, theses may also be located in the body paragraphs or in the conclusion, depending upon the writer’s purpose, audience, topic, and mode of argument.
Activity: Additionally, the facilitator may also wish at this point to discuss strategies for constructing a thesis statement for a current class assignment.

5. What’s a thesis statement????
Introduction
Thesis Statements
After you have brainstormed and you have some main
ideas of what you would like to write in your essay, you can
begin thinking about writing a thesis statement.
What’s a thesis statement????

6. Definition A thesis statement is a complete sentence
that contains one main idea. This idea controls
the content of the entire essay. A thesis
statement that contains subpoints also helps a
reader know how the essay will be organized.

7. How do I know if my thesis is strong?
Do I address the prompt?
Is my thesis arguable?
Is my thesis specific?
Does my thesis pass the “SO WHAT” test?
Is my thesis manageable given the length and time requirements?
Is my thesis interesting to my intended readers?

8. Definition Thesis Statement
When I was young, I always knew that I wanted to become a teacher someday. When I played, I would often gather my dolls together and pretend to teach them how to do math problems or how to read a book. As I grew older, my desire to become an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESL) teacher became clearer as I did some volunteer teaching overseas and in the United States. As I look back on my reasons for becoming a teacher, there are three that stand out: my love for the English language, my innate interest in how people learn, and my desire to help other people .
Subpoints in the thesis or nearby help the reader know how the essay will be organized
The thesis statement contains the main idea that controls the content of the essay.

9. Thesis Statement Another Example
Psychologists have argued for decades about how a person’s character is formed. Numerous psychologists believe that one’s birth order (e.g., place in the family as the youngest, oldest, or middle child) has the greatest influence. Placement in the family can have a significant impact on the formation of a child’s character. Birth order can strongly affect one’s relationship with parents, one’s relationships with others, and the way in which one views responsibility as an adult.
The thesis statement contains the main idea that controls the content of the essay.
Subpoints in the thesis or nearby help the reader know how the essay will be organized

10. Key Features Thesis Statement
states the main idea of the essay in a complete sentence, not in a question
is usually at the end of an introduction
states an opinion or attitude on a topic. It does not just state the topic itself
often lists subtopics
does not directly announce your main topic

11. Main Idea in a Complete Sentence
Key Features
Main Idea in a Complete Sentence
Since the thesis statement is the main
statement for the entire essay, it should express
a complete thought and be a complete sentence.
The thesis statement is asserting an opinion or
idea, so it should not be a question. Look at the
examples below to see how they can be made
into thesis statements.

12. Main Idea in a Complete Sentence
Key Features
Main Idea in a Complete Sentence
The sport of cross-country running.
This is not a complete sentence.
The sport of cross-country running has allowed me to get in better shape and meet some interesting people.
Thesis Statement
This is a question, not a statement.
Why do I want to be a teacher?
Being a teacher is a rewarding profession because it allows me to work with students and be creative.
Thesis Statement

13. A Complete Sentence Another Example
The problem of pollution in big cities.
This is not a complete sentence.
The problem of pollution in major cities can be
alleviated by limiting the number of cars allowed to
drive on city streets and creating more efficient public
transportation systems.
Thesis Statement
Why should marijuana be legalized?
This is a question, not a statement.
Marijuana should be legalized because it is not any
more addictive than tobacco, and it can provide
numerous medicinal benefits for those suffering from
terminal illnesses.
Thesis Statement

14. Key Features Location English readers like to know what an essay
will be about near the beginning of the essay
rather than at the end. This is why the thesis
statement is often found at the end of the
introductory paragraph

15. Location Another Example
Maya Angelou is an accomplished African-American author in the United States. While growing up, she suffered tremendous hardship. Some of her most difficult life events are portrayed in novels and poems such as I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and “Still I Rise.” Maya Angelou’s written works often include strong themes such as perseverance through trials, love for family, and passionate optimism.
The thesis statement comes at the end of the introductory paragraph. This sentence tells the reader that he/she can expect to read more about how Maya Angelou expresses these themes in her writing.

16. States an Opinion or Attitude
Key Features
States an Opinion or Attitude
Good thesis statements often express a
writer’s opinion or attitude on a particular topic.
This makes the thesis statement more specific
and requires the writer to explain or prove
his or her opinion in the essay. Look at the
examples below.

17. Key Features States an Opinion or Attitude
Learning to play many musical instruments when I was young helped me to become a more intelligent and well-rounded person.
I learned to play many musical instruments when I was young.
This thesis statement is much better because it expresses how the writer feels about the experience of learning to play musical instruments. This thesis statement requires the writer to explain how and why playing a musical instrument made him a better person.
This would not be considered a good thesis statement because it is only expressing a fact. It doesn‘t give the writer’s opinion or attitude on playing musical instruments. This thesis statement doesn‘t give the writer very much to explain or prove in his essay.

18. An Opinion or Attitude Another Example
This would not be considered a good thesis statement because it only expresses a fact. It doesn’t reflect the writer’s opinion or attitude on Cancun. This thesis statement doesn’t give the writer very much to explain or prove in his essay.
Cancun is a popular vacation spot in Mexico.
Cancun is one of the best vacation spots in Mexico because of its comfortable climate and proximity to some well-known archeological sites.
This thesis statement is much better because it expresses how the writer feels about Cancun. This thesis statement requires the writer to explain how and why going to Cancun is a good choice for visitors.

19. Which thesis statement is the most effective for an argument about the need for V-chips in television sets?
1. Parents, often too busy to watch television shows with their families, can monitor their children’s viewing habits with the aid of the V-chip.
2. To help parents monitor their children’s viewing habits, the V-chip should be a required feature for television sets sold in the U.S.
3. This paper will describe a V-chip and examine the uses of the V-chip in American-made television sets.
Activity: The facilitator may ask students to identify the most effective thesis statement from the three listed examples. The first example, while a well-phrased informative sentence, offers a factual statement rather than an argumentative claim that needs to be proven. The third example also fails to provide an effective claim about the value of the V-chip. The second example is the strongest argumentative thesis; it clearly articulates the writer’s position on the issue and suggests that the writer will proceed to prove this claim throughout the rest of the paper.

20. Choose the best thesis statement from the list below, and explain why you feel it answers questions 2, 3, and 5 from Slide 7.
1. The North and South fought the Civil War for many reasons, some of which were the same and some different.
2. While both sides fought the Civil War over the issue of slavery, the North fought for moral reasons while the South fought to preserve its own institutions.
3. While both Northerners and Southerners believed they fought against tyranny and oppression, Northerners focused nobly on the rights of others and the oppression of slaves while Southerners defended only their rights to own property and to be self-governing.

21. Choose the best thesis statement from the list below, and explain why you feel it answers questions 2, 3, and 5 from the previous slide.
1. Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn is a great American novel.
2. In Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain develops a contrast between life on the river and life on the shore.
3. Through its contrasting river and shore scenes, Twain’s Huckleberry Finn suggests that to find the true expression of American democratic ideals, one must leave “civilized” society and go back to nature.

22. Titles, Facts, Purpose, and Theses
Do not confuse titles, factual statements, or purpose statements with THESIS STATEMENTS:
Title (not a thesis):
Sesame Street: The Hidden Message
Factual Statement (not a thesis):
Sesame Street is a successful children’s educational program.

23. Titles, Facts, Purpose, and Theses
Do not confuse titles, factual statements, or purpose statements with THESIS STATEMENTS:
Purpose Statement (pre-writing strategy):
I plan to argue that Sesame Street emphasizes entertainment over education.
Thesis Statement:
Sesame Street communicates the message that entertainment is more important than education.

24. Purpose vs. Thesis
Purpose Statement (pre-writing): I plan to identify different kinds of action films and classify them in groups. Thesis Statement: Action films, which lack clear definition, can be divided into four categories. I plan to illustrate how guns in the home lead to trouble. The presence of handguns in households with children frequently leads to fatal accidents, suicides, and murders.

25. Imply a Method of Development
Exemplification: Three former boxing champions show signs of brain damage. CAUSE AND EFFECT: Cellular phones, video cameras, and faxes are three reasons Czechoslovakia's student rebellion succeeded. PROCESS ANALYSIS: The psychoanalytic process requires as much intuition as training. CLASSIFICATION: Professional dancers fall into one of two groups: trained or natural. Definition: The phrase family values has different meanings for different political groups.

26. Forecast a Development Pattern
Political advertisements use three key propaganda devices to manipulate voters: bandwagon appeals, false analogies, and ad hominem attacks.

27. Key Features Subtopics You can make your thesis statement more
specific by including subtopics or supporting
ideas. By doing this, you give your reader a
clear idea of what will follow in the body
paragraphs of your essay.

28. Key Features Subtopics
The large influx of people to California has had major effects on the state.
No subtopics are named in this thesis statement.
subtopic #2
The large influx of people to California has had major effects on the ability of the state to provide housing, electricity, and jobs for all residents.
subtopic #1
subtopic #3
This statement names three subtopics.

29. Inner-city public schools grapple with some serious problems.
Subtopics
Another Example
Inner-city public schools grapple with some serious problems.
No subtopics are named in this thesis statement.
subtopic #1
subtopic #2
Some of the most serious problems in today’s inner-city public schools are the overcrowded classrooms, the low percentage of trained teachers, and the lack of resources such as textbooks for students.
subtopic #3
This statement names three subtopics.

30. Don’t State the Obvious
Key Features
Don’t State the Obvious
In thesis statements, you must avoid using
statements like, “This essay will discuss…” or
“I’m going to write about….” Try to write a
thesis statement that captures your reader’s
attention without announcing your main topic
and stating the obvious. Look at the examples
below.

31. Don’t State the Obvious
Key Features
Don’t State the Obvious
In this essay, I am going to discuss the effects of long-term drug abuse.
Long-term drug use can have disastrous effects on one’s marriage, career, and health.

32. Don’t State the Obvious
Another Example
This essay will discuss some ways teachers can fight teenage drug abuse.
Teachers can fight teenage drug abuse by educating young people on its dangers and by being good role models.

33. Key Features
Review
states the main idea of the essay in a complete sentence, not in a question
is usually at the end of an introduction
states an opinion or attitude on a topic. It does not just state the topic itself
often lists subtopics
does not directly announce your main topic