What IS a Thesis?

1. What IS a Thesis? The thesis… Is the main idea of your paper Answers the question being posed by your essay topic Shows your opinion about the subject Gives your essay direction Promises the reader you will discuss only the idea in the thesis and no other How to Construct a Strong Three-Pronged Thesis Statement

2. Four Characteristics of Strong Thesis Statements • 1. A strong thesis statement ______________________________. • A thesis must show your conclusions about a topic. • 2. A strong thesis statement ________________________________. • Your thesis should indicate the point of the discussion. • (Quoted Source: Writing Tutorial Services, Indiana University- current and following slide)

3. Four Characteristics of Strong Thesis Statements • 3. A strong thesis statement _________________________________. • Readers need to be able to see that your paper has one main point. If your thesis statement expresses more than one idea, then you might confuse your readers about the subject of your paper. • 4. A strong thesis statement _________. • A thesis statement should show exactly what your paper will be about, and will help you keep your paper to a manageable topic.

4. Constructing a Strong Thesis Statement How do you write a good thesis statement? Magic Formula: ________________+ ___________________ + ________________________ = Strong Thesis Statement

5. A Three Pronged Thesis Example for Literature: 2 1 3 The early start time of the high school results in students who areovertired, teachers who are ill-prepared, and morning commutes that are dangerously overcrowded. = Strong Thesis! Topic + active verb + 3 prongs / main points / the approach that you use to prove your topic = strong thesis

6. A Three Pronged Thesis Example for Literature: 1 2 3 Literary contemporaries William Shakespeare and Ben Jonson exhibitsimilar styles of language, character development, and plot execution. = Strong Thesis! Topic + active verb + 3 prongs / main points / the approach that you use to prove your topic = strong thesis

7. A Three Pronged Thesis Example for Science: Because it emits no greenhouse gasses, causes no atmospheric pollution, and harms no water or aquatic life, Nuclear power +provides + the cleanest source of energy to meet the demands of the twenty-first century. =Strong Thesis Statement • 3 prongs / main points +Topic+active verb +the approach that you use to prove your topic = strong thesis 1 2 3

8. Grammar Connection: A Note about Parallel Structure • The 3 points in your thesis must be written in parallel structure. • “Parallel structure means using the same pattern of wordsto show that two or more ideas have the same level of importance. • This can happen at the word, phrase, or clause level. The usual way to join parallel structures is with the use of coordinating conjunctions such as ‘and’ or ‘or.’”

9. Examples: Parallel Words and Phrases • “With the -ing form (gerund) of words: • Parallel: Mary likes hiking, swimming, and bicycling. • With infinitive phrases: • Parallel: Mary likes to hike, to swim, and to ridea bicycle.ORMary likes to hike, swim, and ride a bicycle.”

10. Keep Your Sentence Structure Parallel- “Don’t Mix Word Forms” • “Example 1-Not Parallel: • Mary likes hiking, swimming, and to ride a bicycle. • Parallel Fix: • Mary likes hiking, swimming, and riding a bicycle. • Example 2-Not Parallel: • The production manager was asked to write his report quickly, accurately, and in a detailed manner. • Parallel Fix: • The production manager was asked to write his report quickly, accurately, and thoroughly.”

11. Work Cited • Four Characteristics of Strong Thesis Statements (Quotations) • Writing Tutorial Services, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN • Parallel Structure Quotations and Examples • The Purdue OWL Family of Sites. The Writing Lab and OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. 26 Aug. 2005. Web. 18 Aug. 2009.

12. Remember to look out for: • Vague, weak verbs- use action verbs • Vague, weak, or generalized language • Missing points (3 aspects the paper will cover) • Incorrect format- Use of “I” or “This essay is about…” • Lack of parallel structure / Inconsistent ordering within the 3-prong list • (keep your nouns, adjectives, etc. in similar form) • Facts- remember a thesis needs to be provable, not an already proven fact • (facts go in the body of your essay) • Disorganized approaches to the topic • remember to stay focused and organized