1. A Road Map for Your Essay
The Thesis Statement
A Road Map for Your Essay

2. What is a Thesis?
A thesis statement declares what you believe and what you intend to prove.
A thesis statement is a complete sentence that contains one main idea to help you narrow the paper’s focus.
A thesis might contain subpoints that help a reader know how the essay will be organized.
It is stated in your introduction.

3. Strong Thesis Statements
Take a Stand
Are Specific
Express One Main Idea
Justify a Decision

4. Thesis Statement w/ Subpoints
When I was young, I always knew that I wanted to become a teacher someday. When I played, I would often gather my dolls together and pretend to teach them how to do math problems or how to read a book. As I grew older, my desire to become an ESL teacher became clearer as I did some volunteer teaching overseas and in the United States. As I look back on my reasons for becoming a teacher, there are three reasons that stand out. They are: my love for the English language, my innate interest in how people learn and my desire to work with children.
The thesis statement contains Subpoints in the thesis or
the main idea that controls the nearby help the reader know
content of the essay how the essay will be
organized.

5. Thesis Statement: Another Example
Psychologists have argued for decades about how a person’s character is formed. Numerous psychologists believe that one’s birth order (i.e. place in the family as the youngest, oldest or middle child) has the greatest influence. I believe birth order can have a significant impact in the formation of a child’s character based on my own experience growing up in a family of four children. Birth order can strongly affect one’s relationship with parents, relationships with others and how one views responsibility as an adult.
The thesis statement contains Subpoints in the thesis or
the main idea that controls the nearby help the reader know
content of the essay how the essay will be organ.

6. KEY FEATURES
States the main idea of the essay in a complete sentence, not in a question.
Is usually at the end of the introduction.
States an opinion or attitude on a topic. It doesn’t just state the topic, itself.
Often lists subtopics

7. Key Feature: Main Idea in a Complete Sentence
Since the thesis statement is the main statement for the entire essay, it should express a complete thought and be a complete sentence. The thesis statement is asserting an opinion or idea, so it should not be a question.

8. A Complete Sentence The problem of pollution in big cities.
Not a sentence & too vague
The problem of pollution in major cities can be alleviated by limiting the number of cars allowed to drive on city streets and creating more efficient public transportation systems.

9. Key Features: Main Idea
Why do I want to be a teacher?
This is a question, not a statement.
Being a teacher is a rewarding profession, because it allows me to work with students, permits me to be creative and is a stable profession.

10. Key Features: Location
Readers like to know what an essay will be about near the beginning of the essay rather than at the end. This is why the thesis statement is found at the end of the introductory paragraph.

11. Key Feature: Location
Maya Angelou is an accomplished African-American author in the United States. While growing up, she suffered tremendous hardships. Some of her most difficult life events are portrayed in novels and poems such as, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and Still I Rise. Her written works often include strong themes such as perseverance through trials, love for family and optimism.

12. Key Feature: States an Opinion or Attitude
Good thesis statements often express a writer’s opinion or attitude on a particular topic. This makes the thesis more specific and requires the write to explain or prove his/her opinion in the essay.

13. Take a Stand / Opinion Consider: There are some positive and
negative aspects to using the
Banana Herb Tea Supplement.
Versus: Because Banana Herb Tea
Supplement promotes rapid
weight loss that results in the
loss of muscle & lean muscle mass, it
posses a potential health risk to
customers.

14. Key Feature: State an Opinion or Attitude
Cancun is a popular vacation spot.
(Simply states a fact; no opinion)
Cancun is one of the best vacation spots in
Mexico because of its comfortable climate,
its clean beaches and its proximity to some
well-known archeological sites.

15. Key Feature: Subtopics
You can make your thesis statement more specific by including subtopics or supporting ideas. By doing this, you give your reader a clear idea of what will follow in the body paragraphs of your essay.

16. Key Features: Subtopics
The large influx of people to Arizona has had major
effects on the state.
No subtopics are named in this thesis statement.
The large influx of people to Arizona has had major effects on the ability of the state to provide housing,
water, and jobs for all residents.
Name the 3 subtopics

17. Subtopic: Another Example
Inner-city public schools grapple with some serious
problems.
No subtopics named in thesis & too vague.
Some of the most serious problems in today’s
inner-city public schools are the overcrowded
classrooms, the low percentage of trained teachers
and the lack of resources such as textbooks for
students.

18. DO NOT STATE THE OBVIOUS!!
In thesis statements, you should avoid using statements like, “This essay will discuss . . .” or “I’m going to write about . . .”. Try to write a thesis statement that captures your reader’s attention without ANNCOUNCING your main topic & stating the obvious.

19. Key Features: Don’t State the Obvious
In this essay, I am going to discuss the effects of
long-term drug abuse.
NO!!!
Long-term drug use can have disastrous effects on
one’s marriage, career and health.
This essay will discuss some ways teachers can fight teenage
drug abuse.
NO!!
Teachers can fight teenage drug abuse by educating young
people on its dangers and by being good role models.

20. KEY FEATURES
States the main idea of the essay in a complete sentence, not in a question.
Is usually at the end of the introduction.
States an opinion or attitude on a topic. It doesn’t just state the topic, itself.
Often lists subtopics
Does not directly announce your main topic.

21. Thesis Statements: Thumbs Up / Thumbs Down
1) What are the causes of violence?

22. What are the causes of violence?
Poor – Thesis isn’t a Question.

23. Thumbs Up or Down Thesis Statement:
Grades in school should be eliminated because they cause anxiety, are not always accurate, and put unnecessary pressure on students.

24. Thesis – Grades should be eliminated
Grades in school should be eliminated because they cause anxiety, are not always accurate, and put unnecessary pressure on students.
Thumbs Up.
Thesis – Grades should be eliminated
Gives three-pronged statement / reasons.

25. Thumbs up / Thumbs down
Is this a good thesis?
Honesty, trust, and communication play an important role in teacher-student relationships.

26. Honesty, trust, and communication play an important role in teacher-student relationships.
This Thesis Does Reflect a Position!!

27. Thesis – Up or Down?
What can be done to reduce violence in the public schools? Who is to blame – the schools, parents, or society in general?

28. What can be done to reduce violence in the public schools
What can be done to reduce violence in the public schools? Who is to blame – the schools, parents, or society in general?
While the statement offers three possibilities for the violence in schools, it asks a question. A thesis is not a question.

29. By now, you should be good at this!!
Mocking Jay was one of the year’s best films because of its setting, the action in the movie, and likeable protagonists.

30. (Setting, action, & protagonists).
Mocking Jay was one of the year’s best films because of its setting, the action in the movie, and likeable protagonists.
This is an acceptable thesis since it reflects a position – Mocking Jay is one of the year’s best films – and has a three pronged statement.
(Setting, action, & protagonists).

31. Thesis Writing Practice
Directions: Write a 3-pronged thesis statement for each category
Subject – General Robert E. Lee, a successful Confederate general.
3 Topics: Respect of men, daring strategies, and bravery.
Thesis (Prove): (Write on board)

32. Here is my thesis
Robert E. Lee, the Commander of the Confederate army during the American Civil War, was considered a successful general since he was respected by his soldiers, employed daring strategies during battle, and displayed bravery on the battlefield.

33. Here is another one…
Subject: Arizona Malls impose 6 pm curfew on kids under 16 years old who are not with a parent.
Three Topics – shoplifting, intimidating customers, and vandalism
Thesis (What are you going to prove)

34. How to start off…
Several Arizona Malls have imposed 6 pm curfews on kids 16 and under who are not with a parent since this age group….

35. Here is my thesis
Several Arizona Malls have imposed 6 pm curfews on kids 16 and under who are not with a parent since this age group has been shoplifting in stores, intimidating customers, and committing vandalism.