1. Lead Sentence and Thesis
Sentences 7-8

2. Review
Hook: Drop reader into a scene, anecdote, quote, or surprising fact
Topic as a question: Can be taken directly from the prompt or slightly changed from the prompt.
“Some people think . . .” One side of the issue (Don’t give your opinion yet)
“Others believe . . .” The other side of the issue (Don’t give your opinion yet)
Background information 1: Can be taken word for word from the prompt.
Background information 2: Can be taken word for word from the prompt.
Lead sentence
Thesis (Magic 3)

3. Sentence 7: Lead Sentence
This is a single sentence that is supposed to gradually lead your reader to your point of view rather than dump it on their heads.

4. Sentence 7: Lead Sentence
Should start with a weak transition word.
Use “Perhaps,” or “Maybe,”.
This leads your reader to your side gently.

5. Example Lead Sentence
PROMPT: The Super Bowl is much more than just about football – it has become a widely anticipated advertising blitz that costs companies close to $4 million for a 30-second commercial. Every year, advertisers roll out what they hope will be the cleverest, funniest, and most memorable commercials. What do you think makes a good commercial?
PARAGRAPH: Stanley could not wait for the Super Bowl to start. He loved football and looked forward to this event every year. His wife, Andrea, liked the Super Bowl too. She did not like football, but she loved the creative commercials. What makes a good commercial? Some people think humor is the best way to be memorable. Others believe computer effects or “showmanship” make better commercials. The Super Bowl costs companies close to $4 million for a 30-second commercial. Every year, they roll out what they hope will be the best commercials. Perhaps, computer effects help attract attention of commercial viewers.

6. Sentence 8: What is a Claim?
Something declared to be true
Usually something that can be disputed
Example:
Ford is the overall best car for the average Utah family.

7. A Claim Should . . .
contain a topic (main idea of what you are writing about)
contain an opinion about the topic (what your attitude is toward the topic)
Warning: you have to make it not sound like just an opinion. Don’t use the words I, me, we, us.

8. A Claim Should Not . . .
use the first person (I believe, In my opinion, in this essay I will tell you… etc.)
just state a fact - A thesis is something you plan to make an argument about.

9. Example Claims (Big Claims)
Rocky Mountain Junior High should have a longer lunch period.
Class sizes do affect student learning.
Every student should have to complete ten hours of community service to graduate high school.
Rocky Mountain Junior High should have a shorter lunch period. Class sizes do not affect student learning. Community service shouldn’t be necessary to graduate high school.

10. TW + Big Claim + Reasons= Thesis Statement
Rocky Mountain Junior High should have a longer lunch period.
Thesis
Facts indicate, Rocky Mountain Junior High should have a longer lunch period because students at the end of the lunch line would have more time to eat, struggling students can get extra help from teachers, and teachers can use the time to plan and grade.
MAGIC THREE
Reasons
Why should we believe you?
Students at the end of the lunch line would have more time to eat.
Struggling students can get extra help from teachers.
Teachers can use the time to plan and grade.

11. Felines are better than Canines
Thesis/Claim Format
Your Answer
Reason 1
Reason 2
Reason 3
because:
TW,
Felines are better than Canines
Easier to care,
More loving,
Less expensive.
because:
Factually,

12. Good Transition Words for Thesis Statements
Fundamentally,
Facts indicate,
Factually,
Evidently,
Undisputedly,

13. A Thesis Statements is . . . Never a question
Only one detailed sentence
An outline of the rest of your essay.

14. Practice Writing Thesis Statements

15. Thesis Practice BIG CLAIM: What is your opinion?
“I love watching Jimmy Fallon” or “Parents should let their kids stay up late to watch The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon.”
REASONS: List three to support your claim.
Jimmy Fallon is funny
He interviews popular celebrities
He makes history and current events more interesting.”
THESIS: Add your reasons to your claim
Factually, “Parents should let their kids stay up late to watch The Tonight Show because Jimmy Fallon is funny, he interviews popular celebrities, and he makes history and current events more interesting.”

16. Writing Your Own Thesis
Historically, girls and boys have gone to separate schools in countries all over the world. This affected students of all ages, including some colleges. Most public schools today do not separate schools by gender. Decide if boys and girls should attend separate schools.

17. Decide if boys and girls should attend separate schools.
Big Claim ___________________________________________________________
Reasons
Thesis
_________, ________________________________ because _____________________
(TW) (Big Claim) (Reason 1)
________________________, _______________________________________,
(Reason 2)
and ____________________________________________________________.
(Reason 3)

18. Turn your thesis into a complete introduction

19. Write Your Own Introduction
Choose one of the three thesis statements you wrote and write a complete introduction for the prompt on your worksheet.