1. Thesis statements
SU12 – ESL501 ONLINE

2. What is a thesis statement?
A thesis statement is focused.
A thesis statement is specific.
A thesis statement should offer original perspective.
A thesis statement makes an assertion.
A thesis statement is not an announcement.

3. Be focused.
Your thesis statement should focus on one major idea. Avoid writing thesis statements that address too many topics.
Too many ideas:
This college should improve its tutoring services, sponsor more activities of interest to Latino students, and speed up the registration process for students.
Revised statement:
To better represent the student population it serves, this college should sponsor more activities of interest to Latino students.

4. Be specific.
Narrow your thesis to address specific ideas. Avoid writing statements that are too general.
Not specific:
Male-female relationships can be very complex.
Revised:
Although every male-female relationship experiences issues, successful couples have learned how to manage them and keep their love life going by having an open line of communication about three key issues: money, children and sex.

5. Be original.
Your thesis should say something new, not repeat what is obvious.
Not original:
Drunken drivers can cause many problems.
Revised:
Injuries and deaths resulting from drunk driving are preventable. Although the proportion of crashes that are alcohol-related has dropped dramatically in recent decades, a stricter punishment and higher fines for repeat offenders would further lower this national problem that tragically affects many victims annually.

6. Make an assertion.
Your thesis statement should take a stance or position on your topic.
No stance taken:
Hollywood movies, like Pearl Harbor and A Beautiful Mind, are frequently based on true stories.
Revised:
Hollywood movies, like Pearl Harbor and A Beautiful Mind, manipulate true stories to cater to the tastes of the audience.

7. Avoid making an announcement.
Don’t say what you’re going to do in the essay. Directly state your main point.
Announcement:
The point I am trying to make is that people should not be allowed to smoke on campus.
Revised:
The college should prohibit smoking on campus.

8. Summary Your thesis statement should: Be focused. Be specific.
Be original.
Make an assertion.
Avoid making an announcement.