1. Thesis Writing A good thesis is essential to a well written analytical or persuasive essay!

2. Objectives  Students will understand the basic principles of writing a good THESIS statement.  Students will write a preliminary THESIS statement.

3. GIT-R-DONE!

4. Activity  On the scratch paper provided please write down what you think your preliminary thesis statement will be!

5. 4 components  It must be clearly defined!  relatively high on the orders of knowledge!  …adequately focused!  …well supported!

6. Listen to Mr. Henry…

7. Define your thesis  A thesis statement is an (introductory?) sentence that clearly and specifically identifies the purpose of your paper and identifies the main ideas.

8. Without it you will be…

9. FOCUS!

10. Focus cont.  A good thesis narrows your topic to an idea that you can successfully develop within the framework of your essay.

11. Examples  TOPIC – Health hazards  THESIS – The average American is exposed to many health hazards.  Problem????

12. More focused…  NEW THESIS – The Constitution of the United States should be amended to prohibit the production and sale of alcohol.

13. Support…

14. Support your thesis!!  Everything in the paper should lead back to the thesis.  Use persuasive arguments and writing.  Use FACTS to back up your arguments!

15. Order of knowledge

16. Knowledge cont.  Your paper needs to be more than a statement of fact.  Draw conclusions from your research!

17. COMFORT  You may feel comfortable setting up your thesis with 3 subtopics so you can relate it to a 5 paragraph essay…

18. Example  Fidel Castro’s introduction of Communism has decimated the Cuban economy because he has (1)limited imports, (2)curtailed tourism, and (3)placed a heavy emphasis on agricultural production.

19. GUESS WHAT?  Your THESIS does NOT have to have 3 specific subtopics!  It can have 1 or even 2 subtopics but then your entire paper must be on those 1 or 2 subtopics!

20. Be Original!

21. How is this?  The high number of deaths in the United States attributed to gun violence can be directly linked to the rise in popularity of NFL football over ML baseball.

22. Preliminary Thesis  Your preliminary thesis is due on my desk No Later Than Tuesday 2/22!  It must be typed! With your name on it!  If it is NOT acceptable it MUST be resubmitted until it is acceptable.

23. Never say …  While your topic may not change - your perspective may change with research!

24. OLD “PRELIMINARY” THESIS  Aids in Africa will continue to grow because of corrupt African governments, a lack of international concern, and insufficient public education.

25. After further review…  What has changed?  Aids in Botswana will be eradicated within the next 25 years because of strong central planning and a unique partnership between the national government and international agencies.  Did I “really” change my topic?

26. Don’t!!

27. Finally

28. Objectives  Students will understand the basic principles of writing a good THESIS statement.  Students will write a preliminary THESIS statement.