1. The Thesis Statement A Road Map for Your Essay ESSAY Introduction Thesis Statement Body Paragraph #1 Body Paragraph #2 Body Paragraph #3

2. We write for fun. We write letters, stories, jokes, and to share information with our family or friends. expository writing Most college writing, however, is expository writing and fits into a different category. The essay we will be writing will work well as a five paragraph essay Different Kinds of Writing

3. Introduction Thesis Statements Now that you have used a prewriting technique and you have some main ideas of what you would like to write in your essay, you can begin thinking about writing a thesis statement. What’s a thesis statement????

4. Imagine that it is five years in the future. You have completed your educational program at Kaplan University and have been offered your dream job! The company or organization you will be working for wants to issue a biographical essay about you to announce that you are joining them and in what capacity. In order to do so, they need a minimum 500-word background essay from you.

5. 1. One introductory paragraph that identifies who you are, where you live, the company or organization that has hired you, and your new job title. 2. One body paragraph that gives appropriate personal details about you and your life: your age, family, hobbies, etc. (NOTE: This is a professional essay, so you need to limit personal details to only what is appropriate in the professional environment.) 3. One body paragraph that talks about your education. You should include high school or your GED, any previous college experience, and your Kaplan program. 4. One paragraph that details professional experiences, including past job experiences, honors and awards, and other related professional details. 5. One concluding paragraph that reinforces where you will be working, your job title, and what you will be doing.

6. I. Introductory paragraph (general to specific ideas) – Thesis sentence: II. Body paragraph 1 III. Body paragraph 2 IV. Body paragraph 3 Concluding paragraph (specific to general ideas)

7. Definition Thesis Statement A thesis statement is a complete sentence that contains one main idea. This idea controls the content of the entire essay. A thesis statement that contains subpoints also helps a reader know how the essay will be organized. Look at the introductory paragraph below. See if you can identify the thesis statement and subpoints.

8. Limiting your subject Your attitude toward that subject Your plan of development for the body of the essay

9. 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. Birth order can have a significant impact in the formation of a child’s character affecting relationship with parents, relationships with others, and how one views responsibility as an adult. The thesis statement contains the main idea that controls the content of the essay. Subpoints in the thesis or nearby help the reader know how the essay will be organized Limiting your subject Your attitude toward that subject Your plan of development for the body of the essay

10. Maya Angelou is an accomplished African-American author in the United States. While growing up, she suffered tremendous hardship. 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 passionate optimism. Limiting your subject Your attitude toward that subject Your plan of development for the body of the essay

11. I learned to play many musical instruments when I was young. Learning to play many musical instruments when I was young helped me to become a more intelligent, patient, and well-rounded person. Limiting your subject Your attitude toward that subject Your plan of development for the body of the essay

12. Cancun is a popular vacation spot in Mexico.

13. Cancun is one of the best vacation spots in Mexico because of its comfortable climate and proximity to some well-known archeological sites.

14. The large influx of people to California has had major effects on the state.

15. Key Features Subtopics The large influx of people to California has had major effects on the state. The large influx of people to California has had major effects on the ability of the state to provide housing, electricity, and jobs for all residents.

16. Inner-city public schools grapple with some serious problems.

17. 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. Key Features Don’t State the Obvious In this essay, I am going to discuss the effects of long-term drug abuse. Long-term drug use can have disastrous effects on one’s marriage, career, and health.

19. Don’t State the Obvious Another Example This essay will discuss some ways teachers can fight teenage drug abuse. Teachers can fight teenage drug abuse by educating young people on its dangers and by being good role models.

20. Key Features Review Limiting your subject--states the main idea of the essay in a complete sentence, not in a question. states an opinion or attitude on a topic. It doesn’t just state the topic, itself. lists subtopics to show the development of your essay does not directly announce is usually at the end of an introduction.

21. My Prewriting ideas Experienced, teaching, history, parents and World War II, writing, students, research, friendly, caring, educated, history, refugees, campus, books, online, full-time, degrees, past jobs, family-oriented

22. Thesis: Alicia’s unique family background, her extensive work experience, and impressive academic credentials made her the only obvious choice for this position.

23. The outline process: I. Thesis above II. Alicia’s unique family background III. Extensive work experience IV. Impressive academic credentials V. Closing paragraph. Thesis: Alicia’s unique family background, her extensive work experience, and impressive academic credentials made her the only obvious choice for this position.

24. References Thesis Statement. Ruth Luman: Modesto Junior College. a-s.clayton.edu/mwinkler/thesis.ppt