1. The Thesis Statement

2. What is a thesis statement?
It is an arguable statement.
It is a complete sentence that expresses your position/opinion on a given topic.
It narrows down your topic to a specific, single focus of investigation.
It establishes a direction for the entire paper.
It is usually stated in your introduction.

3. What is not a thesis statement?
A thesis is never a question; it could be the answer to a question.
A thesis is not an announcement of purpose.
A thesis is not simply a topic.
A thesis is not a fact.

4. Writing a Thesis A thesis has two parts
Topic: the main subject to be discussed in the essay
Opinion: what the writer thinks about the main subject to be discussed (the topic)
Topic: Community College Students
Opinion: Work diligently to pass class, to transfer to universities, and to earn four-year degrees.
Thesis: Community college students work diligently to pass class, to transfer to universities, and to earn four-year degrees.

5. It’s Like a Contract
Understand that you don't have a third option: you can't simply stick the idea in without preparing the reader for it in your thesis.
The thesis is like a contract between you and your reader.
If you introduce ideas that the reader isn't prepared for, you've violated that contract.

6. It provides structure for your paper
The thesis sentence should provide a structure for your argument.
A good thesis not only signals to the reader what your argument is, but how your argument will be presented.
In other words, your thesis sentence should either directly or indirectly suggest the structure of your argument to your reader.
Say, for example, that you are going to argue that "Writer X explores the masking and unmasking of the self in three curious ways: A, B, and C.”
In this case, the reader understands that you are going to have three important points to cover, and that these points will appear in a certain order.

7. Determine whether the following is a good or poor thesis statement
What causes violence in children?
Poor
A thesis statement is not a question!

8. Determine whether the following is a good or poor thesis statement
The purpose of my paper is to identify the causes of violence.
Poor
A thesis is not an announcement of purpose!

9. Determine whether the following is a good or poor thesis statement
The education system in the United States.
Poor
A thesis statement is not just a topic!

10. Determine whether the following is a good or poor thesis statement
Teen pregnancy can be reduced with good education, parental support, and birth control.
Yes, a thesis statement reflects a position!

11. Determine whether the following is a good or poor thesis statement
I would like to discuss how teachers and students can develop better relationships.
Poor
A thesis is not an announcement of purpose!

12. Determine whether the following is a good or poor thesis statement
I had squash, tomatoes, and corn in my garden last year.
Poor
A thesis statement is not too narrow!

13. Determine whether the following is a good or poor thesis statement
Vegetable gardening can be a frustrating hobby.
Yes, a thesis statement reflects a position!

14. Determine whether the following is a good or poor thesis statement
Honesty and trust in the classroom.
Poor
A thesis statement is not just a topic!

15. Determine whether the following is a good or poor thesis statement
Honesty and trust play an important role in successful teacher-student relationships.
Yes, a thesis statement reflects a position!

16. Determine whether the following is a good or poor thesis statement
Advertising has bad effects on all of society.
Poor
A thesis statement is not too broad!

17. Determine whether the following is a good or poor thesis statement
What can be done to reduce violence in schools? Who is to blame-- the parents, the schools, or society in general?
Poor
A thesis statement is not a question!

18. Determine whether the following is a good or poor thesis statement
Toy ads on television teach children to be greedy, competitive, and snobbish.
Yes, a thesis statement reflects a position!