1. Thesis Statements Topic Sentences Making Stronger Claims

2. 1.Create a strong thesis statement 2.Brainstorm main ideas for each paragraph 3.Write topic sentences Three steps to creating solid claims

3.  Should be specific  Should be arguable – make a claim (an opinion that can be argued)  Should frame/guide your entire essay 1. Thesis Statements

4. Example thesis: Desire makes David a strong character.  Desire for what?  What do you mean by “strong character”? New thesis: The desire to win the lottery motivates David to confidently and slyly cheat others. Thesis Statements: Be Specific

5.  Make a claim (an opinion statement)  Somebody should be able to disagree with your opinion Example Thesis Harry Potter's desire to avenge his parents' deaths causes him to continually seek out Lord Voldemort in order to kill him. Thesis Statement - Arguable

6. Power motivates Abigail’s actions. The setting in The Pickup plays a crucial role in the story. Sample Thesis Statements: Make them better

7. Harry Potter's desire to avenge his parents' deaths causes him to continually seek out Lord Voldemort in order to kill him. Idea 1: Discuss Harry's desire to kill Voldemort - where did it come from? Idea 2: Discuss examples of times that Harry sought out Voldemort - how did he get himself in trouble all for the sake of getting revenge? Idea 3: Discuss the final meeting - Harry killing Voldemort and his satisfaction 2. Brainstorm Main Ideas

8. Brainstorm ONE main ideas for your thesis statement on The Crucible. 2. Brainstorm Main Ideas Your Turn

9. Thesis statement should frame/guide your entire essay  Every topic sentence must be connected to the original argument in your thesis.  Never present a new idea in a topic sentence Thesis Statement & 3. Topic Sentences

10. Thesis: Harry Potter's desire to avenge his parents' deaths causes him to continually seek out Lord Voldemort in order to kill him. Idea 1: Discuss Harry's desire to kill Voldemort - where did it come from? Topic sentence 1 Harry desires revenge because Lord Voldemort denied him the chance of having a real family when he killed Harry's parents. 3. Topic Sentences

11. Thesis: Harry Potter's desire to avenge his parents' deaths causes him to continually seek out Lord Voldemort in order to kill him. Topic sentence 1 Harry desires revenge because Lord Voldemort denied him the chance of having a real family when he killed Harry's parents.  Does it connect to the thesis statement? How?  Does it make a claim (an opinion that can be argued)? Where? 3. Topic Sentences

12. Thesis: Harry Potter's desire to avenge his parents' deaths causes him to continually seek out Lord Voldemort in order to kill him. Idea 2: Discuss examples of times that Harry sought out Voldemort - how did he get himself in trouble all for the sake of getting revenge? Topic Sentence 2 Throughout the series, Harry persistently seeks out Lord Voldemort for revenge even when he could have died himself. 3. Topic Sentences

13. Thesis: Harry Potter's desire to avenge his parents' deaths causes him to continually seek out Lord Voldemort in order to kill him. Topic Sentence 2 Throughout the series, Harry persistently seeks out Lord Voldemort for revenge even when he could have died himself.  Does it connect to the thesis statement? How?  Does it make a claim (an opinion that can be argued)? Where? 3. Topic Sentences

14. Turn your main idea into a topic sentence. Be sure to:  Connect it to the thesis statement  Make a claim (an opinion that can be argued) 3. Topic Sentences Your Turn