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THESIS STATEMENTS

THESIS STATEMENTS. An LAVC Writing Center Workshop Presentation. Presented by Sul & Melissa. What is a Thesis Statement?. It is one sentence. It states the main idea or argument of your essay. It is typically placed at the end of the introduction paragraph.

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THESIS STATEMENTS

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  1. THESIS STATEMENTS An LAVC Writing Center Workshop Presentation Presented by Sul & Melissa

  2. What is a Thesis Statement? • It is one sentence. • It states the main idea or argument of your essay. • It is typically placed at the end of the introduction paragraph. • It lets your reader know what to expect. • It is the basis for your entire essay. • It is the most important part of your essay. • It is awesome (kinda).

  3. Your THESIS STATEMENT is comprised of two parts: The topic/subject. Your opinion of the topic. Quick Activity: Pick a subject that you feel you can support or disprove and try to think of three things you feel support your idea. For example: LAVC is a great college because of their experienced teachers, skilled tutoring offices, and welcoming academic environment.

  4. Formalities: • The Thesis is the central idea of attention within an essay • It tells the reader what position you are supporting about the subject in the essay. • The thesis must always be a complete sentence that is: specific, succinct, and suggestive of the organization to be followed in the essay.

  5. How to Brainstorm your THESIS: • The THESIS STATEMENT doesn’t always come first in the writing process, but it is good to develop it early so you can use it as a guide for your paper. • I am writing about ____________ , and I am going to argue, show, or prove that _________, by stating that ___________ , _____________ , and _____________.

  6. Formula • Just as E = mc²… • Subject + Opinion = Thesis

  7. Where Does the THESIS STATEMENT Go?

  8. Where Does the THESIS STATEMENT Go? Cont…

  9. Where Does the THESIS STATEMENT Go? Cont… • The first sentence of your introductory paragraph should contain an attention getter, which is a sentence that attracts your reader’s attention makes them want to read further. • The introduction paragraph of an essay provides the reader with a general survey of information of the subject being discussed.

  10. Where Does the THESIS STATEMENT Go? Cont… • Once all necessary and relevant background knowledge is stated, it is typically then that a thesis statement can be declared in the last sentence of the introduction paragraph.

  11. Where Does the THESIS STATEMENT Go? Cont… • After the Thesis Statement, an essay has body paragraphs. Each body paragraph should be at least 3-4 sentences long and will include a topic sentence and concluding sentence to let the reader know what that paragraph will discuss. • These body paragraphs should discuss what you have stated in your Thesis Statement using evidence to back up your claims.

  12. Where Does the THESIS STATEMENT Go? Cont… • After your body paragraphs, you will have a conclusion paragraph that is located at the very end of your essay. • Your conclusion paragraph should restate the ideas in your Thesis, but in a different way. Conclude your thoughts and let the reader know why you have successfully proved your point.

  13. Simple or Complex? • A beginning THESIS STATEMENT: A is B. • A better THESIS STATEMENT: A is B because of x, y, and z • A more complex THESIS STATEMENT: Although C is D, A is B because of x, y, and z.

  14. Simple or Complex?Examples: • BASIC THESIS (just alright!): Community colleges are an important part of California’s educational system. • MORE COMPLEX THESIS (much better!): Community colleges are an important part of California’s educational system because they are a more cost-effective way to attain a degree, classes are smaller, and they prepare students for the demands of University life.

  15. Simple or Complex?Examples: • VERY COMPLEX THESIS (perfect!!): Although many students want to go straight from high school to a four-year university, community colleges are an important part of California’s educational systembecausethey are a more cost-effective way to attain a degree, classes are smaller than at most four-year universities, and they prepare students for the demands of University life.

  16. Defintions • Although is a conjunction that means, “in spite of the fact; even though,” and is helpful in connecting and comparing/contrasting different, but related, ideas. • Because is also a conjunction that means, “for the reason that; since,” and is useful for offering insight and introducing supporting details for a claim.

  17. Useful Tips • Thesis statements that are too broad and general will lead to an essay that lacks focus. • Certain words may be used to narrow the focus of an argument, as well as expand a thesis statement to make it as specific as possible. • EXAMPLE: “While, “Although,” “Because”: • “While/Although the rise of industrialization led to the expansion of global trade relations, the conditions of working class people deteriorated because__________, _________, and _____________.

  18. Workshop Activities: • CONNECT-THE-THESIS Worksheet • Create your own THESIS STATEMENTS! • Anyone can do it!

  19. Sources • http://www.lavc.edu/WCweb/ • http://thewritingcenter.edulounge.net/ • http://studenthacks.org/2007/11/06/thesis-statement/ • http://www.csu.edu.au/division/studserv/learning/essay/structure.htm

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