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THE THESIS STATEMENT. ?? THESIS STATEMENT ??. Introductory paragraph Contains an expression of attitude, opinion, or idea about a topic. Expresses the controlling idea for the entire essay. Why Should Your Essay Contain a Thesis Statement?.
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?? THESIS STATEMENT ?? • Introductory paragraph • Contains an expression of attitude, opinion, or idea about a topic. • Expresses the controlling idea for the entire essay.
Why Should Your Essay Contain a Thesis Statement? • to test your ideas by distilling them into a sentence • to better organize and develop your argument • to provide your reader with a “guide” to your argument
Thesis Statement: Points to Remember • 1. Complete Sentence • 2. Expresses an opinion, attitude, or idea. • 3. Opinion, not a fact • 4. One idea on one topic.
1. A Complete Sentence • Main statement for the entire essay. • Express a complete thought- expressed in a complete sentence.
Not a thesis statement: My fear of the dark • Thesis Statement: My fear of the dark has made my life miserable
2. opinion, attitude, or idea • Expresses an opinion, attitude, or idea. • Does not simply announce the topic the essay will develop
Not a thesis statement: I am going to discuss the effects of procrastination. • Thesis Statement: The effects of procrastination are often negative.
Not a thesis statement: • ‘Twilight’ is my favorite movie. • Thesis statement: • The movie ‘Twilight’ has an interesting storyline.
3. Opinion, not a fact • The thesis statement is a statement that someone could disagree with. • The thesis statement needs to be explained or proved.
Not a thesis statement: • Cows produce milk • Thesis statement: • The milk cows produce is not always fit for human consumption.
The Simpsons represents the greatest animated show in the history of television. • The Simpsons treats the issues of ethnicity, family dynamics, and social issues effectively.
4. One idea on one topic • If a thesis statement contains two or more ideas, the essay runs the risk of lacking unity and coherence.
Not a thesis statement: • Going to college in the Midwest can be fun, and I have found that living in a suburb of a large city is the best way to live while at college. • Thesis statement: • Going to college in the Midwest can be fun.
There are many advantages and disadvantages to going to college. • The advantages to going to college far outweigh the disadvantages.
Let’s make this simple Specific topic+ Attitude/Angle/Argument = Thesis What you plan to argue + How you plan to argue it = Thesis
Now, let’s play : is it a thesis statement? • The advantages of majoring in Business Studies. • I would like to discuss my views on the Olympic Games. • Students should be allowed to manage bookstore. • When I first came to the United States, I wasn’t used to eating in fast food places, and I was amazed at the shopping centers.
Why do I want to be a lawyer? • The differences between Mandarin and Hunan dialects. • Knowing a foreign language can be beneficial to anyone.
This advertisement attempts to appeal to the reader’s sense of patriotism. • I am going to describe my home. • There are many similarities and differences between New York and Hong Kong.