Thesis Statements

1. Thesis Statements

2. What is a Thesis Statement? • A thesis statement informs readers in a concise manner regarding your intention in writing the paper.

3. Working Thesis You may write and rewrite a thesis several times while developing an essay.

4. Characteristics of an Effective Thesis Statement • A thesis is only one sentence. One of the most common mistakes students make is to write a number of sentences and call it a thesis. A thesis statement, however, is singular and must be only one sentence consisting of 25 words or fewer. • A thesis makes an assertion (your opinion) related to the topic of the essay. It is what you want to prove in your essay.

5. Characteristics of an Effective Thesis Statement • The thesis must always be located near the end of your introduction. • Everything in your paper must support, be related to, or point back to your thesis statement. • Although a thesis is an opinion, that opinion must be one a reasonable person might agree with or argue against.

6. Characteristics of an Effective Thesis Statement • A thesis answers the questions “How?” or “Why?” • A thesis passes the “So what?” test—what does this topic have to do with anything? Why should I care? Why should others care?

7. Thesis Statement Fallacies • A thesis statement isnot : • a fact or observation. • Incorrect: The United States has many homeless people. • Correct: Because the homeless population is still widespread in the United States, Congress, organizations, and individuals must do more to improve the problem.

8. Thesis Statement Fallacies • a generalization. • Incorrect: Men take all the good jobs and get paid more. • Correct: Recent research shows men are still earning a significant amount more than women in the same positions; therefore, employers and the government must do more to narrow this gap.

9. Thesis Statement Fallacies • an exaggeration • Incorrect: Fad diets are extremely unhealthy. • Correct: Many fad diets are dangerous because they may harm the human body, they often lack proper nutrients, and they may easily cause a person to regain original weight.

10. Thesis Statement Fallacies • a question. • Incorrect: Is it right for the media to portray women the way they do? • Correct: The media and Hollywood portray women as very beautiful and thin; doing so has a negative effect on young girls’ self-esteem.

11. Thesis Statement Fallacies • too broad. • Incorrect: All animals are unique. • Correct: The hippopotamus is one of the most unusual and interesting animals within the animal kingdom.

12. Thesis Statement Fallacies • too narrow. • Incorrect: The song “Cop Killa” is offensive. • Correct: Music with vulgar language or inappropriate messages may negatively influence young children and teenagers.

13. Thesis Statement Fallacies • an announcement. • Incorrect: This essay talks about how legalizing marijuana is incorrect. • Correct: Marijuana must not be legalized because it will lead to greater social ills.

14. Thesis Statement Fallacies • vague or general. • Incorrect: Jane Austen was a good author. • Correct: Jane Austen was one of the greatest authors of all time because of her unique use of characterization and plots detailing significant social issues.

15. Thesis Statement Fallacies • written in first person. • Incorrect: I believe second-hand smoke is bad for people. • Correct: People of all ages should avoid second-hand smoke because it poses one of the deadliest health risks today.