1. Thesis Statement Notes
I heart thesis statements 4 eva

2. What is a thesis statement?
A thesis statement summarizes the argument you will pursue in your paper.

3. Format of a thesis statement
It contains two parts:
Topic
Assertion (Argument)
Example: Gun control reduces the crime rate.
Gun control / reduces the crime rate.
[Topic] [Assertion]

4. A thesis statement is: One sentence long Arguable
The most important sentence of your paper
A summary of the argument you’re making

5. A thesis statement should:
Be the last sentence of your Introduction paragraph
Be restated in the Conclusion in your essay
NOT be vague or too general
NOT be emotional

6. A thesis statement needs:
Supporting details in the body paragraphs
To state what the essay is going to be about
(Without saying “This essay is going to be about…” or “My thesis statement is..”
To be provable
To be bolded in your paper

7. Now let’s look at some model thesis statements.

8. Model thesis statement #1:
______ should ______ in order to ______.
-Or-
In order to ______, ______ should ______.
For example-
Students should be required to take a music class in school in order to improve their academic performance.
Or-
In order to improve students’ academic performance, they should be required to take a music class in school.

9. Model thesis statement #2:
______ should ______ because ______.
For example-
There should be metal detectors in all high schools because weapons and violence in schools are increasing every year. 
Everyone should know the dangers of cocaine because it is becoming a more popular recreation drug in today’s society.
People should maintain an active lifestyle and a nutritious diet because obesity has many dangerous effects.

10. Model thesis statement #3:
______ should ______.
For example-
Music therapy should be considered a valid and effective form of alternative treatment. 
Smoking in public places should be illegal.

11. The End
Now you should be able to write a thesis statement for your Preliminary Research Worksheet.