1. Thesis Statements and Topic Sentences
Your thesis will be the last sentence of your introduction, and will include three supporting points (arguments).
Your three topic sentences will begin each of your three arguments and will make up the body portion of the essay.

2. Thesis Statement Includes:
Specific topic
Writer’s position
No personal pronouns
Both provable and arguable
Serves as a blueprint for the essay

3. Sample Thesis Statement
Amanda Knox should receive a new trial for the murder of Meredith Kercher in Italy because there is no evidence proving her involvement, the media presumed she was guilty because of her ‘wild’ behavior, and the legal system in Italy is flawed.
Argument #1
Argument #2
Argument #3

4. Topic Sentence/Argument #1 from Thesis
Not only is there no evidence linking Amanda Knox to the crime, but the circumstantial evidence is weak.
Amanda Knox should receive a new trial for the murder of Meredith Kercher in Italy because there is no evidence proving her involvement, the media presumed she was guilty because of her ‘wild’ behavior, and the legal system in Italy is flawed.

5. Topic Sentence/Argument #2 from Thesis
The media portrayed Amanda Knox as a calloused ‘party girl’.
Amanda Knox should receive a new trial for the murder of Meredith Kercher in Italy because there is no evidence proving her involvement, the media presumed she was guilty because of her ‘wild’ behavior, and the legal system in Italy is flawed.

6. Topic Sentence/Argument #3 from Thesis
A person can be arrested with very little evidence in Italy, and are presumed guilty until proven innocent, leaving Amanda Knox behind bars in a country whose legal system is considered one of the most dangerous in the world.
Amanda Knox should receive a new trial for the murder of Meredith Kercher in Italy because there is no evidence proving her involvement, the media presumed she was guilty because of her ‘wild’ behavior, and the legal system in Italy is flawed.