1. The Thesis Statement For Opinion Essays

2. First… what is not a thesis statement? A thesis is not a question. A thesis is not a question. A thesis is not an announcement of purpose. A thesis is not an announcement of purpose. A thesis is not simply a topic. A thesis is not simply a topic. A thesis is not a fact. A thesis is not a fact.

3. #1. Violence in video games. #2. Do video games cause aggression in youth? #3. The purpose of my paper is to identify the causes of violence. #4. A new study published by the Psychological Bulletin proves a link between video games and aggression. #5. Video games are becoming increasingly popular. What about the following?

4. What Exactly is a Thesis? A thesis has two parts: 1. Topic: the main subject to be discussed in the essay 2. Opinion: what the writer thinks about the main subject

5. Can you spot the thesis?

6. The following slides are some different variations of theses for the topic of violent video games…

7. Short and sweet: Violent video games should be banned. Violent video games should be banned. This looks weak, but if well situated in your introduction paragraph, it may be effective. Your thesis statement also may (but does not have to) incorporate your three major arguments: Violent video games should be banned because they glue young adults to the television, instill them with poor moral values, and desensitizes them to graphic images. Violent video games should be banned because they glue young adults to the television, instill them with poor moral values, and desensitizes them to graphic images.

8. Surprise attack thesis: Although there is no evidence proving that they cause anti-social behaviour, the widespread use of violent videogames must be banned to prevent their negative influence on teenagers. Then I would go on to outline the three main negative influences.

9. Embellished by word choice and tone: Youth across the country are being harmed by daily exposure to pervasive violence in popular videogames. Not only should the industry be regulated to a higher standard, but in order to protect society, the sale and distribution of violent video games should be outright banned. Youth across the country are being harmed by daily exposure to pervasive violence in popular videogames. Not only should the industry be regulated to a higher standard, but in order to protect society, the sale and distribution of violent video games should be outright banned.

10. Thesis Statement Checklist  It is a complete sentence that expresses your position/opinion on a given topic. position/opinion on a given topic.  It is an arguable statement.  It narrows down your topic to a specific, single focus of investigation.  It establishes a direction for the entire paper.

11. Try this site to help you build your thesis (though do not rely on it solely): http://www.ozline.com/electraguide/thesis.php