1. Thesis Statements- NO THESIS, NO ESSAY! Gives direction and focus to your essay States the argument you are going to support and prove Should be direct and specific Can indicate the main points within the sentence Usually is the last sentence in the intro paragraph

2. How to form a thesis statement: 1. Choose a specific topic (ex. School uniforms) 2. Give an opinion (should be mandatory at all public schools) Put together: School uniforms should be mandatory at all public schools.

3. Adding main points: 1. Choose your main points (eliminates social pressure, minimizes school disciplinary issues, improves student concentration) 2. Write into the end of the thesis statement Put together: “School uniforms should be mandatory at all public school because they eliminate social pressures, minimize school disciplinary issues, and improve student concentration.”

4. Brainstorming before your thesis Make a pros/cons list with all the examples that could argue for or against this topic Freewrite for 5 solid minutes without stopping Word webs to jot down any and all ideas related to your topic Outline how you could argue your stance Bullet points about possible ways to approach the topic

5. Another Example Thesis Statement Topic: vanilla ice cream Opinion: is the best flavor available for consumption Put together: Vanilla ice cream is the best flavor available for consumption. Reasons why (main points): it is the most versatile flavor, allowing you to seamlessly add any toppings to it, and it is the basis for all other ice cream flavors, making it superior to all others. Put together: Vanilla ice cream is the best flavor available for consumption because it is the most versatile flavor, allowing you to seamlessly add any toppings to it, and it is the basis for all other ice cream flavors, making it superior to all others.

7. Your turn: Topic: the effect of Facebook on society 1. Create an opinion based on this topic and write a thesis statement combining the two (does it have a positive or negative effect?). 2. Choose three reasons to support this opinion. 3. Combine those three reasons with your already written thesis statement.

9. Try Again… Topic: explicit music lyrics on teenagers 1. Create an opinion based on this topic and write a thesis statement combining the two (do they have a positive or negative effect, or do they not affect teenagers at all?). 2. Choose three reasons to support this opinion. 3. Combine those three reasons with your already written thesis statement.

10. Ok last time… Topic: teachers contacting parents/guardians about their students (grades, behavior, etc.) 1. Create an opinion based on this topic and write a thesis statement combining the two (should teachers contact parents? Does it have an effect on the student? Is the school’s job to do so?). 2. Choose three reasons to support this opinion. 3. Combine those three reasons with your already written thesis statement.

11. Haha, just kidding! Pick one of the following topics to write a thesis statement about: Illegal music downloading Internet filters Advertising that targets children