The super-focused, super-

awesome, ROCKSTAR sentence.

Review: Plan your essay with 4 square.

Follow the expository essay structure.

Thesis Statement•Why is a Thesis

Statement Important?

Like a human linked

with his avatar, a

thesis sentence must

be linked with the

rest of your essay.

What is a thesis statement? 1.) A road map for your essay

2.) The statement of purpose for the essay

How do I write a thesis?

1.) Use key words from the prompt

2.) topic + position + reason/method

SAMPLE PROMPT: Write an essay explaining why it is important to forgive.

WEAK THESIS: It is important to forgive because they feel bad.

BETTER THESIS: It is important to forgive because it isn’t good to hold a grudge.

STRONG THESIS: It is crucial to forgive others because holding onto anger only causes more pain.

topic + position + reason/method

Let’s analyze some music!

•https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t77yF8Jv4r8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nPeJuRet34

Longer Version

Take a look at your copy of “Dark Times”

• Chunk similar stanzas (look for patterns)

• Annotate (jot notes in the margins)

• Ask questions (have a conversation with the text)

• Identify the thesis statement

Dark Times—The Weeknd ft. Ed Sheeran• Waking up, half past five

Blood on pillow and one bruised eyeDrunk too much, you know what I'm like

But you should've seen the other guy

• This ain't the right time for you to fall in love with meBaby I'm just being honest

And I know my lies could not make you believeWe're running in circles that's why

• In my dark times I'll be going back to these streetsPromising everything I do not mean

In my dark times, baby this is all I could beOnly my mother could love me for me

In my dark times, in my dark times

What is he

doing?

Emphasizes the thesis

This is the thesis.

• Light one up, let me bum a smokeStill calming down, dripping throatI got another man's blood on my clothesBut an endless fog's the life I chose

• This ain't the right time for you to fall in love with meBaby I'm just being honestAnd I know my lies could not make you believeRunning in circles that's why

• In my dark times I'll be going back to the streetPromising everything I do not meanIn my dark times, baby this is all I could beOnly my mother could love me for meIn my dark times, in my dark times

• In my dark times I've still got some problems I knowDriving too fast but just moving too slowAnd I've got something I've been trying to let goPulling me back every time

• In my dark times taking it back to the streetMaking those promises that I could not keepIn my dark times, baby this is all I could beOnly my mother could love me for meIn my dark times taking it down to the streetMaking those promises that I would not keepIn my dark times this is all I could beOnly my mother could of loved me for meIn my dark times, in my dark timesIn my dark times

Emphasizes the thesis

Lets dissect the thesis of “Dark Times”

“In my dark times I'll be going back to the streetpromising everything I do not mean. In my dark times, baby this is all I could be.”

• Topic: ________________________________________

• Position:_________________________________

• Reason/method: __________________________

Lets dissect the thesis of “Dark Times”

“In my dark times I'll be going back to the streetPromising everything I do not mean”

• Topic: My bad side shows…

• Position: that I keep repeating the same mistakes…

• Reason/method: because that’s all I know how to do.

In order to prevent this…

We must practice…

SAMPLE PROMPT #1: Write an essay explaining why Americans should stop eating fast food.

WEAK THESIS: Eating fast food is bad and should be avoided.

BETTER THESIS: Americans should stop eating fast food because it is bad for their health.

STRONG THESIS: Americans should eliminate regular consumption of fast food because it leads to preventable and expensive health issues.

topic + position + reason/method

SAMPLE PROMPT #2: Write an essay explaining why more should be done to help the homeless.

WEAK THESIS: Helping others is the best thing to do.

BETTER THESIS: There are high numbers of homeless people living on the streets, so we should help them.

STRONG THESIS: More assistance should be provided to the homeless because it improves the community as a whole.

SAMPLE PROMPT #3: Write an essay explaining why homework shouldn’t be assigned.

WEAK THESIS: Homework is a lot of work.

BETTER THESIS: Homework shouldn’t be assigned because students are too busy with extracurricular activities.

STRONG THESIS (you try): Homework shouldn’t be assigned because students already experience high levels of stress and need the opportunity to decompress after school.