2. Thesis Statements
Turn to the third page in your Research Project Packet.

3. Thesis Statements Subject + Opinion = thesis
Thesis statements are used to create focus in an essay.
A thesis lets your reader know what s/he will be reading about through the rest of your paper.
A simple thesis can be created this way:
Subject + Opinion = thesis

4. Subject: school Uniforms
Thesis Statements
Subject: school Uniforms
Opinion: should be mandatory
A good, simple thesis:
School uniforms should be required in all high schools.

5. Thesis Statements grilled cheese sandwiches are delicious
Subject:
Opinion:
Simple thesis:
grilled cheese sandwiches
are delicious
Grilled Cheese sandwiches are delicious.

6. Thesis Statements
A well-developed thesis will also include a brief summary of your main points (usually 3 main points).
Your thesis lists these points in the same order you will discuss them.
With persuasive writing: the final main point is your REBUTTAL.

7. Thesis Statements
A well-developed thesis:
High schools should mandate uniforms so as to ease social tensions, reduce bullying and maintain students’ focus on academics.

8. Thesis Statements
Well-developed thesis about grilled cheese sandwiches…

9. Thesis Statements
Well-developed thesis about grilled cheese sandwiches…

10. Thesis Statements
Thesis statements go at the end of your introductory paragraph.
They do not go in bold.
They do not start with THESIS:
They do not include quotes
They do not use personal pronouns
I, you, me, my, we, us, our

11. INTRODUCTION
Anecdotal, historical, surprising information to lead into your
THESIS STATEMENT
NO rhetorical questions
NO “inspirational” quotes
NO data, statistics or facts
AVOID citations, but don’t plagiarize
You should order your body paragraph in the most appropriate of the three ways here:
Strongest to Weakest
Chronological
Logical (if something needs to come before something elese for clarity purposes)
BODY PARAGRAPH 1 – strongest secondary claim
BODY PARAGRAPH 2 – second secondary claim
BODY PARAGRAPH 3 – counterargument and then rebuttal (which is a secondary claim not yet mentioned in your essay
NO “in conclusion”
“all in all”
“in summation” etc.
YOU CAN DO BETTER THAN THAT
No new ideas that need to be explained, no citations (so no data, stats, etc)
RESTATE THESIS – do not just use the same words – restate your point, but bring in some finality – a new claim or idea that doesn’t need to be explained, but will leave your reader with a clear understanding of your position and purpose
CONCLUSION