The Thesis Statement

1. The Thesis Statement

2. What is a thesis statement? • It is an arguable statement. • It is a complete sentence that expresses your position/opinion on a given topic. • It narrows down your topic to a specific, single focus of investigation. • It establishes a direction for the entire paper. • It is usually stated in your introduction.

3. What is not a thesis statement? • A thesis is never a question; it could be the answer to a question. • A thesis is not an announcement of purpose. • A thesis is not simply a topic. • A thesis is not a fact.

4. Writing a Thesis • A thesis has two parts • Topic: the main subject to be discussed in the essay • Opinion: what the writer thinks about the main subject to be discussed (the topic) Topic: Developing a love of reading Opinion: Parents need to help their children learn to love reading. Thesis: Parents can help their children develop a love of reading by reading to them often, providing plenty of good books, and modeling their own love for reading.

5. Determine whether the following is a good or poor thesis statement What causes violence in children? Poor A thesis statement is not a question!

6. Determine whether the following is a good or poor thesis statement The purpose of my paper is to identify the causes of violence. Poor A thesis is not an announcement of purpose!

7. Determine whether the following is a good or poor thesis statement The education system in the United States. Poor A thesis statement is not just a topic!

8. Determine whether the following is a good or poor thesis statement Teen pregnancy can be reduced with good education, parental support, and birth control. Yes, a thesis statement reflects a position!

9. Determine whether the following is a good or poor thesis statement I would like to discuss how teachers and students can develop better relationships. Poor A thesis is not an announcement of purpose!

10. Determine whether the following is a good or poor thesis statement I had squash, tomatoes, and corn in my garden last year. Poor A thesis statement is not too narrow!

11. Determine whether the following is a good or poor thesis statement Vegetable gardening can be a frustrating hobby. Yes, a thesis statement reflects a position!

12. Determine whether the following is a good or poor thesis statement Honesty and trust in the classroom. Poor A thesis statement is not just a topic!

13. Determine whether the following is a good or poor thesis statement Honesty and trust play an important role in successful teacher-student relationships. Yes, a thesis statement reflects a position!

14. Determine whether the following is a good or poor thesis statement Advertising has bad effects on all of society. Poor A thesis statement is not too broad!

15. Determine whether the following is a good or poor thesis statement What can be done to reduce violence in schools? Who is to blame-- the parents, the schools, or society in general? Poor A thesis statement is not a question!

16. Determine whether the following is a good or poor thesis statement Toy ads on television teach children to be greedy, competitive, and snobbish. Yes, a thesis statement reflects a position!

17. Test your thesis statement by asking these questions: • Does my thesis sentence attempt to answer (or at least explore) a challenging or thought provoking topic or question? • Is the point I’m making one that would lead to discussion and argument, or is it one that would leave people asking, “So what?” • Is my thesis too vague? Too general? Should I focus on some more specific aspect of my topic? • Does my thesis deal directly with my topic? • Does my thesis indicate the direction of my argument? Does it suggest a structure for my paper? • Is the language in my thesis statement vivid, clear, and specific? Is it direct?