1. Thesis Statements

2. A thesis statement is… the main idea of the entire essay. – It is placed at the end of the introduction paragraph. a complete sentence. is a claim that can be argued. – (The essay will provide evidence that supports this claim.)

3. A thesis statement… is specific.

4. Thesis statements should avoid… the first person (I believe, In my opinion, etc.) – I believe the causes of the Civil War were social, economical, and political.

5. Thesis statements should avoid… attempting two topics at once (even if they seem related). Pick one and stick with it. -Wild animals should be kept in zoos for educational and economical purposes. However, keeping wild animals in zoos can be viewed as cruel.

6. Thesis statements should avoid… just stating a fact - A thesis is something you plan to make an argument about. -Florida is a great vacation spot because the average summer temperature is 92˚.

7. A thesis statement should not be too general. Too general Mountain City Elementary is a good school. Better Daily writing practice has led to improved writing skills for the students at Mountain City Elementary.

8. Which sentence is too general to be a good thesis statement? A. Music makes people happy. B. Music therapy is useful in relieving stress and other conditions.

9. Music makes people happy. Too general

10. A thesis statement should not be a fact. A fact The average temperature for Mountain City in winter is 34 and in summer is 75 degrees. Better The climate in Mountain City is ideal for outdoor sports.

11. Which sentence would not be a good thesis statement because it is a fact? A. The recycling of one aluminum can saves enough energy to run a TV for three hours. B. Recycling is one of the most important jobs a person can do to protect our environment.

12. A FACT The recycling of one aluminum can saves enough energy to run a TV for three hours.

13. 1 st person A. Students should wear uniforms for convenience and safety. B. I believe students should wear uniforms for convenience and safety.

14. 1 st person No good= B. I believe students should wear uniforms for convenience and safety.