1. The most important sentence. Ever. (at least in your essay)
The Thesis Statement
The most important sentence. Ever.
(at least in your essay)

2. The Thesis of an essay… is the controlling idea of the paper
Is the road map for the organization for the paper
Has three parts:
Topic
Opinion / Position
Plan / Rationale

3. A Thesis is not… a question NOT A THESIS:
Why do I want to be a lawyer?

4. A Thesis is not… a sentence fragment (i.e. an incomplete thought)
NOT A THESIS:
The differences between Mexican and Argentinian cuisine.

5. A Thesis is not… an “I am going to…” statement NOT A THESIS:
I would like to discuss my views on the Olympic games.

6. A Thesis is not… a fact NOT A THESIS:
There are many similarities and differences between Boston and Seattle.

7. Practice
On your paper there are statements that are not thesis statements. In the space before the example, put the reason why the example is not a thesis statement.

8. A Thesis Statement does have:
a Topic =
(the issue the essay is about)
an Opinion / Position =
(what you think about the issue)
a Plan / Rationale =
(your explanation of how you’re
going to prove that your
opinion is right—your reasons)

9. Label the three parts:
Television affects young children negatively because it exposes them to adult programs and decreases physical activity.

10. Label the three parts:
Television (affects young children negatively) because it exposes them to adult programs and decreases physical activity.
TOPIC
OPINION
PLAN

11. Homework—Identifying Parts of a Thesis Statement
Copy the following sentence onto you paper and label each of the 3 parts.
Part-time jobs for students are time consuming, for jobs decrease study time, pay low hourly wages, and interfere with social life.

12. Homework—Identifying Parts of a Thesis Statement
Copy the following sentence onto you paper and label each of the 3 parts.
School uniforms are not a good idea because the clothing limits individuality and adds a burden on a family’s budget.

13. Homework—Writing Thesis Statements
With each topic below, write a thesis statement. Have at least 2 supporting points (rationale/divisions) for each topic and identify each area: topic, stance/position, rationale/divisions.
Cell phones
Facebook
Drivers license age 18