The Thesis Statement

1. ESSAY Introduction Thesis Statement Body Paragraph #1 Body Paragraph #2 Body Paragraph #3 The Thesis Statement A Road Map for Your Essay

2. Introduction Thesis Statements After you have brainstormed and you have some main ideas of what you would like to write in your essay, you can begin thinking about writing a thesis statement. What’s a thesis statement????

3. Definition Thesis Statement A thesis statement is a complete sentence that contains one main idea. This idea controls the content of the entire essay. A thesis statement that contains subpoints also helps a reader know how the essay will be organized. Look at the introductory paragraph below. See if you can identify the thesis statement and Subpoints.

4. Definition Thesis Statement When I was young, I always knew that I wanted to become a teacher someday. When I played, I would often gather my dolls together and pretend to teach them how to spell words or how to read a book. As I grew older, my desire to become an English teacher became clearer as I worked at various youth summer camps and began tutoring the students I taught in my dance classes. As I look back on my reasons for becoming a teacher, there are three reasons that stand out. They are: my love for the reading, my innate interest in how people learn, and my desire to serve others. Subpoints in the thesis or nearby help the reader know how the essay will be organized The thesis statement contains the main idea that controls the content of the essay.

5. Thesis Statement Another Example Psychologists have argued for decades about how a person’s character is formed. Numerous psychologists believe that one’s birth order (i.e. place in the family as the youngest, oldest, or middle child) has the greatest influence. I believe birth order can have a significant impact in the formation of a child’s character based on my own experience growing up in a family of four children.Birth order can strongly affect one’s relationship with parents, relationships with others, and how one views responsibility as an adult. The thesis statement contains the main idea that controls the content of the essay. Subpoints in the thesis or nearby help the reader know how the essay will be organized.

6. Key Features Thesis Statement • states the main idea of the essay in a complete sentence, not in a question. • is usually at the end of an introduction. • states an opinion or attitude on a topic. It doesn’t just state the topic, itself. • often lists subtopics. • does not directly announce your main topic.

7. Key Features Main Idea in a Complete Sentence Since the thesis statement is the main statement for the entire essay, it should express a complete thought and be a complete sentence. The thesis statement is asserting an opinion or idea, so it should not be a question. Look at the examples below to see how they can be made into thesis statements.

8. This is not a complete sentence. The sport of cross-country running. Why do I want to be a teacher? This is a question, not a statement. Key Features Main Idea in a Complete Sentence The sport of cross-country running has allowed me to get in better shape and meet some interesting people. Thesis Statement Being a teacher is a great profession, because it allows me to work with students and be creative. Thesis Statement

9. This is not a complete sentence. The problem of pollution in big cities. Why should marijuana be legalized? This is a question, not a statement. A Complete Sentence Another Example The problem of pollution in major cities can be alleviated by limiting the number of cars allowed to drive on city streets and creating more efficient public transportation systems. Thesis Statement Marijuana should be legalized because it is not any more addictive than tobacco and it can provide numerous medicinal benefits for those suffering from terminal illnesses. Thesis Statement

10. Key Features Location Most readers like to know what an essay will be about near the beginning of the essay rather than at the end. This is why the thesis statement is often found at the end of the introductory paragraph.

11. The thesis statement comes at the end of the introductory paragraph. This sentence tells the reader that he/she can expect to read about the events that caused the author to stop smoking in the rest of the essay. Key Features Location For most of my life I have lived with bad health, smelly clothes, and a chronic cough. My children and husband begged me to stop the habit that caused these conditions, but I couldn’t. The habit of smoking had wrapped its addicting arms around me and was slowly strangling me until one day I realized I had to stop. This realization came after three terrifying events occurred in my family.

12. The thesis statement comes at the end of the introductory paragraph. This sentence tells the reader that he/she can expect to read more about how Maya Angelou expresses these themes in her writing. Location Another Example Maya Angelou is an accomplished African-American author in the United States. While growing up, she suffered tremendous hardship. Some of her most difficult life events are portrayed in novels and poems such as, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, and, Still I Rise. Her written works often include strong themes such as perseverance through trials, love for family, and passionate optimism.

13. Key Features States an Opinion or Attitude Good thesis statements often express a writer’s opinion or attitude on a particular topic. This makes the thesis statement more specific and requires the writer to explain or prove his/her opinion in the essay. Look at the following examples.

14. Key Features States an Opinion or Attitude Learning to play many musical instruments when I was young helped me to become a more intelligent and well-rounded person. I learned to play many musical instruments when I was young. This thesis statement is much better because it expresses how the writer feels about the experience of learning to play musical instruments. This thesis statement requires the writer to explain how and why playing a musical instrument made him/her a better person. This would not be considered a good thesis statement because it is only expressing a fact. It doesn’t give the writer’s opinion or attitude on playing musical instruments. This thesis statement doesn’t give the writer very much to explain or prove in his/her essay.

15. An Opinion or Attitude Another Example This would not be considered a good thesis statement, because it is only expressing a fact. It doesn’t reflect the writer’s opinion or attitude on Cancun. This thesis statement doesn’t give the writer very much to explain or prove in his/her essay. Cancun is a popular vacation spot in Mexico. Cancun is one of the best vacation spots in Mexico because of its comfortable climate and proximity to some well-known archeological sites. This thesis statement is much better because it expresses how the writer feels about Cancun. This thesis statement requires the writer to explain how and why going to Cancun is a good choice for visitors.

16. Key Features Subtopics You can make your thesis statement more specific by including subtopics or supporting ideas. By doing this, you give your reader a clear idea of what will follow in the body paragraphs of your essay.

17. subtopic #2 subtopic #1 subtopic #3 Key Features Subtopics The large influx of people to California has had major effects on the state. No subtopics are named in this thesis statement. The large influx of people to California has had major effects on the ability of the state to provide housing, electricity, and jobs for all residents. This statement names three subtopics.

18. subtopic #1 subtopic #2 subtopic #3 Subtopics Another Example Inner-city public schools grapple with some serious problems. No subtopics are named in this thesis statement. Some of the most serious problems in today’s inner-city public schools are the overcrowded classrooms, the low percentage of trained teachers, and the lack of resources such as textbooks for students. This statement names three subtopics.

19. Key Features Don’t State the Obvious In thesis statements, you should avoid using statements like, “This essay will discuss…” or “I’m going to write about…”. Try to write a thesis statement that captures your reader’s attention without announcing your main topic and stating the obvious. Look at the next examples.

20. Key Features Don’t State the Obvious In this essay, I am going to discuss the effects of long-term drug abuse. Long-term drug use can have disastrous effects on one’s marriage, career, and health.

21. Don’t State the Obvious Another Example This essay will discuss some ways teachers can fight teenage drug abuse. Teachers can fight teenage drug abuse by educating young people on its dangers and by being good role models.

22. Key Features Review • states the main idea of the essay in a complete sentence, not in a question. • is usually at the end of an introduction. • states an opinion or attitude on a topic. It doesn’t just state the topic, itself. • often lists subtopics. • does not directly announce your main topic.

23. Practice Exercises Now, you are ready to practice what you’ve learned. Read each of the following examples and evaluate whether it is a strong or weak thesis statement.

24. Thesis #1: Advertising companies often use attractive models in their ads to sell their products and television producers get paid millions of dollars to run these ads. • This is a weak thesis because it contains more than one main idea.

25. Thesis #2: There are many positive and negative aspects to the use of standardized tests in our local school districts.

26. Thesis #2: There are many positive and negative aspects to the use of standardized tests in our local school districts. • This is a weak thesis because it fails to state the author’s viewpoint.

27. Thesis #3: The number persons infected with AIDS in the continent of Africa continues to grow due to the inhabitants’ lack of education about the sexually transmitted disease and its methods of prevention.

28. Thesis #3: The number persons infected with AIDS in the continent of Africa continues to grow due to the inhabitants’ lack of education about the sexually transmitted disease and its methods of prevention. • This is a strong thesis because it contains only one main idea and narrows down the subject to a specific topic.

29. Thesis #4: The subject of this essay is the symbolism in The Scarlet Letter.

30. Thesis #4: The subject of this essay is the symbolism in The Scarlet Letter. • This thesis is weak because it simply announces the subject of the essay (and very loosely, I might add…).

31. Thesis Summary • Remember the thesis takes a position; it never states a simple fact. It offers an opinion that can be supported as probable or improbable; in doing so, it invites explanation, discussion and elaboration.

32. Thesis Directions • Controlling Idea (CI) presented in a complete sentence + Parts of the Essay or Paper • Note that this formula omits the author’s full name and/or the full name of the literary work. We will meet this requirement by placing these details in the introduction leading up to the thesis. • For thesis statements, remember to KISS… (Keep It Short and Simple)

33. Thesis Formula I: Controlling Idea + (Part I + Part II + Part III) = Thesis Statement (Note that the CI appears in the main clause; parts take subordinate roles) (Abbreviated title or author’s name) reveals/shows/explores/proves, etc. (statement of your CI/purpose of your essay/paper) through/by/because/etc. (Part I), (Part II) and (Part III).

34. Thesis Example I: In “The Fall of the House of Usher” Edgar Allan Poe uses sight, sound and feeling imagery to create an atmospere of horror and to convey to the reader the idea that fear compounded by isolation and enclosure can lead to insanity.

35. Better Thesis I: Poe explores the idea that the combination of fear and isolation may lead to insanity by manipulating imagery of sight, sound and feeling to create an atmosphere of horror. • We have simplified by relegating full author’s name and title earlier in the intro, by eliminating references to the reader and by eliminating as many compound elements as possible. In a thesis, simplicity=clarity.

36. Thesis Formula II: (Part I) + (Part II) + (Part III) + CI = TS Through/by/because/etc. (Part I), (Part II), and (Part III), (abbrev. Title/author) shows/proves/reveals/suggests/conveys (statement of tone, theme or purpose.

37. Thesis II Example: Yellow, white and green respectively symbolize an aspect of life or death in Ray Bradbury’s “Dandelion Wine” and serve reminder to the reader that death makes life all the more precious and because of that, it is a thing not to be feared, but to be respected.

38. Better Thesis II: Symbolically equating yellow, green and white with life and death, Kirby in “Dandelion Wine” argues the practicality of respecting death rather than fearing it. • We have simplified by eliminating author’s name, which should have already been provided in the intro; we have eliminated “the reader ”which is obvious; we have focused on the main idea – the causative factor can also be addressed in the intro that leads up to the thesis.

39. Changing Your Thesis • Someone asked me if they could change their thesis after turning it in on Friday… • You can revise your thesis at any time during the writing process. • Writing is an act of discovery. While writing on your topic, you may find that you want to go in another direction and focus on something different. It’s okay…just keep me informed!

40. The End!!!