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Thesis Statements 101. The most important SENTENCE in any text!. A GOOD thesis sentence has three main parts:. 1) the limited subject (what your paper is about), 2) the precise opinion (what you're trying to say about that subject), and 3) the essay map
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Thesis Statements 101 The most important SENTENCE in any text!
A GOOD thesis sentence has three main parts: • 1) the limited subject (what your paper is about), • 2) the precise opinion (what you're trying to say about that subject), and • 3) the essay map (a brief outline of how you're going to support your claim – should explain “HOW” or “WHY” your idea/opinion is right or strong; Rationale)
Basic Example • 1)Subject: Restoring old houses (Circle the subject) • 2)Opinion: Restoring old houses is rewarding. (underline the opinion) • 3)Essay map: It is exciting, relaxing, and satisfying. (box the essay map)
Basic Thesis Statement • >Use “BECAUSE” to put it all together into a Basic Thesis Statement: • Restoring old houses is rewardingBECAUSE it is exciting, relaxing, and satisfying.
Strong Thesis Statement • >Use qualifiers like ALTHOUGH, WHEN, IF and revise vocabulary into a Strong Thesis Statement”: • When antique houses are restored, home-owners not only reap the benefits of a new home but also the excitement, relaxation, and satisfaction of the process.
Revision: BASIC to STRONG • Restoring old houses is rewardingBECAUSE it is exciting, relaxing, and satisfying. • When antique houses are restored, home-owners not only reap the benefits of a new home but also the excitement, relaxation, and satisfaction of the process.
Dr. Thesis: Diagnosis • Each of the following thesis patients has a sickness. Diagnose the problem and give a prescription. 1) Chefs are better than cooks. 2) Steroid abuse 3) Hip hop is the best thing that has happened to music in twenty years. 4) I enjoy white water rafting.
Weak > Basic > Great > Strong • Chefsare better thancooks. • Chefsare better thancooksbecause chefs have more education, are more professional, and are creative with the food they create. • ALTHOUGH both chefs and cooks can prepare fine meals, chefs differ from cooks in education, professional commitment, and artistry.
Weak > Basic > Great > Strong • Steroid abuse • Steroidsshould be banned from sports. • Steroidsshould be banned from sportsBECAUSEathletes tend to abuse them. • Steroids, even those legally available, are addictive and should be banned from sports.
Weak > Basic > Great > Strong • Hip hopis the best thing that has happened to music in twenty years. • Hip hopis the best thing that has happened to music in twenty yearsBECAUSE it gives kids a way of expressing themselves and is an example of poetry found in the streets. • Though many people dismiss hip hop as offensive, hip hop musicoffersurban youth an important opportunity for artistic expression, and allowsthem to articulate the poetry of the street.
Weak > Basic > Great > Strong • I enjoywhite water rafting. • I enjoywhite water raftingBECAUSEit is challenging and transforming. • A first water rafting experiencecan challengethe body and spiritand transforman adolescent into an adult. • Although white water rafting can be dangerous, a first water rafting experiencecan actually challengethe body and spiritand transforman adolescent into an adult.
Your Turn to Play Dr. Thesis • For each student thesis, diagnose the problem and the prescription needed. (Which part of the thesis is present and which is missing? • Determine if it is Weak, Basic, Great, or Strong. • Revise the thesis into a Great or Strong Thesis.
Application Time • Time to apply your knowledge and understanding of thesis statements. • Prompt: Analyze how elements of the plot help make “Love in L.A.” realistic in today’s society.
The plot of “Love in L.A.”is realistic. • The plot of “Love in L.A.”is realisticbecauseit involves real-life places, people, and situations that today’s society can relate to. • Because of the real-life people and situations involved, today’s society can relate to theplot of “Love in L.A.” • Although many fiction stories have imaginary elements, “Love in L.A.”presents realistic qualitiesin its characters and situations that today’s society can relate to.
Task & Goal • Each of you should be able to complete the TASK: Write a BASIC Thesis Statement. • Your GOAL is to: Write a GREAT or STRONG Thesis Statement!