1. Thesis Writing

2. Add to your notes… Thesis: Restating the prompt + answering the prompt
Your thesis statement should be specific—it should cover only what you will discuss in your paper and should be supported with specific evidence.
The thesis statement usually appears at the end of the first paragraph of a paper.
Your topic may change as you write, so you may need to revise your thesis statement as you write to reflect exactly what you have discussed in the paper.
One clear, concise statement.

3. Example Thesis Statement Example
Example of an expository (explanatory) thesis statement:
“The life of the typical college student is characterized by time spent studying, attending class, and socializing with peers.”

4. Directions: State if the following thesis is weak or strong. Why?
Example: Crime must be stopped.

5. Directions: State if the following thesis is weak or strong. Why?
Example: Crime must be stopped.
Weak because it is a general statement.

6. Directions: State if the following thesis is weak or strong. Why?
Thesis: Charles Dickens is a good author.

7. Directions: State if the following thesis is weak or strong. Why?
Thesis: Charles Dickens uses the setting of his novels to emphasize the theme of class division.

8. Directions: State if the following thesis is weak or strong. Why?
Thesis: Socialism is the best form of government for Kenya because it will promote equal opportunity for workers.

9. Bad Thesis: Television commercials have an influence on children.
Directions: Carefully read the writing prompt and the Bad Thesis Statement. Then, rewrite a Good Thesis Statement. State the subject and tell the author’s purpose for writing or the point to be proved.
Writing Prompt: Describe how television commercials influence children.
Bad Thesis: Television commercials have an influence on children.
Good: _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________

10. Writing Prompt: Explain why young people especially enjoy hobbies.
Directions: Carefully read the writing prompt and the Bad Thesis Statement. Then, rewrite a Good Thesis Statement. State the subject and tell the author’s purpose for writing or the point to be proved.
Writing Prompt: Explain why young people especially enjoy hobbies.
Bad: One hobby many young people especially enjoy is reading.
Good: _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________

12. Before writing your rough draft, use the editing and revising activity to polish your outline.
THEN you may begin writing your rough draft. Your outline, draft, and editing and revising paper are due at the end of class today (please staple them together).