1. Thesis Statements A thesis is a statement that tells the reader the topic of your entire paper. Basic Five Paragraph Essay: I.Introduction I.Lead II.Background Information III.Preview of Main Points IV.Thesis Statement II.Body Paragraph #1 III.Body Paragraph #2 IV.Body Paragraph #3 V.Conclusion

2. Thesis Tips An effective thesis has a subject and a position. One of the easiest ways to create a strong thesis is to take the prompt question and turn it into a statement! You must have the author and title of the literary work in your thesis statement! Take out “filler words”—I think, etc.

3. Example Thesis Statement Prompt: Identify and explain the purpose of the preface to Night by Elie Wiesel. Thesis Statement: Elie Wiesel wrote the preface to Night to inform his readers why it was important that he write his memoir.

4. Tips for Brainstorming YOUR Essay Think about your 2 point response and EXPAND upon the ideas you’ve already come up with Think about the ideas Elie Wiesel presents in “The Perils of Indifference” How do the words “responsibility” and “indifference” work together?