1. Thesis Statements

2. SPI 701.3.3 Identify the thesis of a writing passage Objectives: –Students will be able to choose a good thesis statement for a given topic. –Students will be able to write a well-developed thesis statement with details to support it.

3. What is a thesis statement? A thesis statement is the main idea of an essay. It is often a point you want to argue or support in an essay. SO The thesis statement explains to a reader the main idea of the essay, and the writer’s opinion on that idea.

4. T HESIS S TATEMENTS : ● Give direction to the author of a paper ● Give readers an idea as to what the paper will be about You must know this!

5. A thesis statement is usually one sentence. It is often placed in the introductory paragraph of an essay. A thesis statement is a claim that could be argued. The essay will contain evidence and opinions that support the argument.

6. ● A factual statement ● A topic sentence TOPIC SENTENCE: Big Spring is a small town in West Texas. (This is factual, topic sentence; therefore, it is not a thesis statement.) W HAT IS A THESIS NOT? Yep, you guessed it—on the test.

7. Thesis statements avoid the following: the first person (I believe, In my opinion, etc.) unclear language (It seems, etc.) attempting two topics at once (even if they seem related). Pick one and stick with it. just stating a fact - A thesis is something you plan to make an argument about.

8. A thesis statement should contain a topic (main idea of what you are writing about) contain an opinion about the topic (what your attitude is toward the topic)

9. C HARACTERISTICS OF A T HESIS S TATEMENT ● Addresses the prompt clearly ● Makes a claim, or ● Presents an argument ● Is arguable (an opinion) ● In first paragraph of essay

10. It’s time to spot a thesis! On each of the following slides, read the writing prompt and the two sample statements. Click on the one that is the best choice for a thesis.

11. 1. Early on in life, people develop an admiration for heroes. In a well-developed essay, discuss a person you admire and why you chose this person. Option A Option B One person I admire is Babe Ruth, who played baseball from 1914 until 1935. One person I admire is Babe Ruth, the greatest baseball player of all time.

12. Incorrect Option A One person I admire is Babe Ruth, who played baseball from 1914 until 1935. Although this does address the writing prompt, this is a factual statement. A thesis statement should be something you can argue for or against.

13. Correct! Great Job! One person I admire is Babe Ruth, the greatest baseball player of all time. Option B This statement addresses the prompt, and presents and opinion that can be argued.

14. 2. …Discuss the social, political and economic effects of World War II on the United States. Option A Option B World War II was a costly war that had a major impact on the economy of the United States World War II not only affected the economy of the United States, but also altered the role of the American government and the American people forever.

15. Incorrect World War II was a costly war that had a major impact on the economy of the United States Option A Although this is meets all the criteria for a thesis statement, it only addresses part of the writing prompt. Remember, the statement tells the reader what to expect. With this as a thesis, one would only expect to read about the economic effects.

16. Correct!!!! Option B World War II not only affected the economy of the United States, but also altered the role of the American government and the American people forever. This is correct because it addresses the social, economic and political effects as stated in the prompt. Notice that the words people (social) and government (political) were used in this statement. This makes the sentence more original and shows the reader that you know what “social” and “political” refer to.

17. 3. … Describe three physical features of Latin America and their importance to the region. Option A Option B The Andes Mountains, the Amazon River and Yucatan Peninsula are the three most significant physical features in Latin America. Three physical features found in Latin America are the Andes Mountains, the Amazon River and the Yucatan Peninsula.

18. Correct! You are getting this! The Andes Mountains, the Amazon River and Yucatan Peninsula are the three most significant physical features in Latin America. Option A This statement gives an argument, it presents the three physical features asked for in the prompt, and makes reference to the importance (significance)

19. Almost! But not quite. Option B Three physical features found in Latin America are the Andes Mountains, the Amazon River and the Yucatan Peninsula, which are all vital to the region. This is a topic sentence. The reason it is not a good thesis is because it does not present an argument or address the whole prompt. It is a factual statement. To make it a strong thesis, you must add to it.

20. 5. In South Asia, globalization has played a big role in the developing economies of the region. Discuss the positive and negative effects of globalization in one South Asian country. Option A Option B Globalization in India has offered solutions to poverty for some and created more severe poverty for others. In India, globalization has meant new jobs for India’s emerging middle class.

21. You are ready to write! Option A There is an opinion (it has offered solutions, it has created more severe poverty). It addresses the positive (solutions) and negative (poverty) effects. Globalization in India has offered solutions to poverty for some and created more severe poverty for others.

22. Practice. You will get there. Option B In India, globalization has meant new jobs for India’s emerging middle class. Again, this would be a perfect thesis statement, if the prompt only asked for the effects of globalization. The prompt, however, specifies positive and negative effects. This is only positive.

23. More About Thesis Statements

24. A thesis statement should not be too broad. Too Broad The world is a magnificent place to live. Better Good teachers make Mountain City Elementary a fantastic school.

25. Which sentence is too broad to be a good thesis statement? A. One reason to live in Mountain City is access to many wonderful places to fish. B. Mountain City is a great place to live.

26. Too Broad Mountain City is a great place to live. Mountain City is a great place to live.

27. A thesis statement should not be too wordy. Wordy Some problems with Mountain City Elementary School is that it needs a larger playground, an air conditioned gym, an auditorium, restrooms connected to each classroom, running water in the classrooms, and a number of other physical changes to the building. Better Mountain City Elementary needs several changes to its facility to make it a better school.

28. Which sentence is too wordy to be a good thesis statement? A. Abe Lincoln was one of the best presidents the United States has ever known. B. Abe Lincoln was an excellent speaker, the 16 th President of the United States, a liberator of slaves, and united the North and South at the end of the American Civil War.

29. Too Wordy Abe Lincoln was an excellent speaker, the 16 th President of the United States, a liberator of slaves, and united the North and South at the end of the American Civil War.

30. A thesis statement should not be too general. Too general Mountain City Elementary is a good school. Better Daily writing practice has led to improved writing skills for the students at Mountain City Elementary.

31. Which sentence is too general to be a good thesis statement? A. Music makes people happy. B. Music therapy is useful in relieving stress and other conditions.

32. Too general Music makes people happy.

33. A thesis statement should not be a title. A title Cost of Living Better The cost of living in Mountain City is lower than in most other cities in the United States.

34. Which sentence would not be a good thesis statement because it is a title? A. Good teaching has led to an increase in TCAP scores at Mountain City Elementary. B. Rising TCAP Scores at Mountain City Elementary

35. A Title Rising TCAP Scores at Mountain City Elementary

36. A thesis statement should not just be a fact. A fact The average temperature for Mountain City in winter is 34 degrees and in summer is 75 degrees. Better The climate in Mountain City is ideal for outdoor sports.

37. Which sentence would not be a good thesis statement because it is a fact? A. The recycling of one aluminum can saves enough energy to run a TV for three hours. B. Recycling is one of the most important jobs a person can do to protect our environment.

38. A Fact The recycling of one aluminum can saves enough energy to run a TV for three hours.

39. More Practice

40. Directions: 1) Find the opinion words in the statement. If there are no opinion words, it is not a thesis statement. 2) Tell if the statement is a good thesis statement. Although most people believe otherwise, bats are harmless and highly beneficial.

41. Directions: 1) Find the opinion words in the statement. If there are no opinion words, it is not a thesis statement. 2) Tell if the statement is a good thesis statement. In this essay I will discuss the crime rate in Mountain City.

42. Directions: 1) Find the opinion words in the statement. If there are no opinion words, it is not a thesis statement. 2) Tell if the statement is a good thesis statement. Mountain City and Boone differ in many ways.

43. Directions: 1) Find the opinion words in the statement. If there are no opinion words, it is not a thesis statement. 2) Tell if the statement is a good thesis statement. This paper will consider the advantages and disadvantages of students having nightly homework.

44. Y OUR T URN !! ● You will now apply what you learned by writing your own thesis statements to a few writing prompts. ● When reading back your thesis statements (to yourself), ask yourself a few questions.

45. Did I address all parts of the prompt? Can I argue against this statement? Will I address all this in my essay? Is it grammatic- ally correct? Is it clear and understandable?

46. Practice ●Handout “Thesis Statement Practice” ●Practice writing thesis statements ●Write 3 details that support your thesis. ●Write one reason to oppose your opinion