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Thesis Statements. WME p. 25-29. Thesis statements. Show the writer’s unique approach ( point of view ) to the topic of the essay Are often directly followed by essay map Essay maps state the ideas that support the writer’s position Often state three main ideas Example:
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Thesis Statements WME p. 25-29
Thesis statements • Show the writer’s unique approach (point of view) to the topic of the essay • Are often directly followed by essay map • Essay maps state the ideas that support the writer’s position • Often state three main ideas Example: Grandma Rose’s house was my treasure house; it was in this house that I enjoyed unconditional love, played all the childhood games, and learned a lot of survival skills.
Thesis statements • Telemarketing should be made illegal because it intrudes in our family time, interrupts our normal telephone conversations, and allows room for fraudulent sales. • The federal government should monitor internet communications because pornography on the internet has harmful effects on children; advertising agencies may persuade viewers to buy defective products, and people may be misled by false information posted through the internet.
Developing a Thesis Statement • Choose a topic. • Write the thesis statement by clearly expressing your approach (point of view) to the topic. • Write your essay map by stating 3 main ideas.
What to avoid • Avoid using vague/broad terms. • Words like “good,” “bad,” “great,” “terrific,” and “cool” should be avoided because they suggest a broad range of meanings: • Vague: My high school graduation day was a great day. • Clear: My high school graduation day was an exciting day, highlighted by the inspirational speaker, the emotional ceremony, and the unforgettable dance.
What to avoid • Avoid using statements that are too narrow. • A narrow thesis statement (sometimes called dead end) doesn’t have any room to grow: • The speed limit near my home is 65 miles per hour. • A hurricane hit southern Florida last summer. • Remember, a thesis statement must be broad enough to require support: • The speed limit near by home should be lowered to 55 miles per hour for several reasons. • Federal officials made a number of mistakes in their response to the recent Florida hurricane.
What to avoid • Avoid announcing the topic/the writer’s intention (“I am going to…”) • Announcing the topic is redundant and distracting • Redundant: In this essay, I will describe the process of how to get ready for a folkloric dance performance. • Concise: It is easy to learn how to get ready for a folkloric dance performance. • Redundant: In this essay, I will talk about a personal experience I had with the betrayal of a friend. • Concise: Being betrayed by a friend was a painful experience.
What to avoid • Stating more than one main idea: • One of the most serious problems affecting young people today is bullying, and it is time more kids learned the value of helping others. • Teachers have played an important role in my life, but they were not as important as my parents. • Try to be as clear as possible, and limit your thesis statement to the single key idea you want readers to know.
Topic sentences WME p. 29-32
Topic sentences • The main idea of a body paragraph • One of the major points supporting the thesis Example: Thesis Statement: My visit to my motherland Philippines was a great learning experience; I learned about my culture, my parents, and myself. Topic Sentence 1: Going back to my own country, the Philippines, helped me learn about the customs and traditions typical of my culture. Topic Sentence 2: Learning about my roots helped me understand my parents better. Topic Sentence 3: Returning to my roots also helped me learn about myself.
Developing a topic sentence • Should be less general than the thesis statement, but general enough to control the body paragraph • Review thesis statement & writer’s view on topic • Check essay map • Rewrite each of the major points from the map in a complete sentence, which recaptures the writer’s view and the supporting major point. Each rewritten sentence becomes the topic sentence.
Thesis statement:Recycling trash should be mandatory because it decreases pollution, saves money, and reinforces citizens’ sense of responsibility.
review • A thesis statement is the __________________________. • An essay map states _____________________________. • Things to avoid in thesis statements are: • A topic sentences is the __________________________.