Thesis Statement Pp t

Thesis StatementsThesis Statements

What is a thesis statement?What is a thesis statement?

A thesis statement is the A thesis statement is the main ideamain idea of an of an essay. essay.

It is often a point you want to argue or It is often a point you want to argue or support in an essay.support in an essay.

SOSOThe thesis statement explains to a reader The thesis statement explains to a reader the main idea of the essay, and the writer’s the main idea of the essay, and the writer’s opinion on that idea.opinion on that idea.

Our FocusWe will focus on writing a three point thesis statement. Opinion on a narrowed topic + transition + three elements

that support your topic.This is a basic form of a thesis statement; your college

professors will expect you to deviate from this format. Not all thesis statements will give you explicit reasons of support.

A thesis statement is usually one A thesis statement is usually one sentence.sentence.It is often placed in the introductory It is often placed in the introductory paragraph of an essay.paragraph of an essay.A thesis statement is a claim that can A thesis statement is a claim that can be argued.be argued.The basic three point thesis will have The basic three point thesis will have a topic, transition, followed by three a topic, transition, followed by three elements. elements.

Thesis statements Thesis statements avoidavoid the following the following::

Using first person: Using first person: I believe, In my opinion, I I believe, In my opinion, I think, etc. think, etc.

Unclear language: Unclear language: (t seems, etc.(t seems, etc.

Attempting two topics at once: Attempting two topics at once: Pick one topic Pick one topic and stick with it.and stick with it.

Stating a fact(s): Stating a fact(s): a thesis is something you plan a thesis is something you plan to make an argument about. to make an argument about.

Opinion Words/PhrasesOpinion Words/PhrasesA thesis should contain a topic (what you are writing about), an opinion about the topic (what your attitude is toward the topic), and reasons why you hold that view(in our case the three elements)

Requiring high school graduates to take a year off to pursue community service Requiring high school graduates to take a year off to pursue community service

projects before entering college is beneficial in order to increase maturity, projects before entering college is beneficial in order to increase maturity,

global awareness and guide them in their academic focusglobal awareness and guide them in their academic focus..

Look at the sentence above…what is the Look at the sentence above…what is the writer’s opinion? writer’s opinion?

Finding Opinion Words…Finding Opinion Words… Underline the opinion words below. If there are no opinion words, it is not a Underline the opinion words below. If there are no opinion words, it is not a

thesis:thesis:

1. Much maligned and the subject of unwarranted fears, most bats 1. Much maligned and the subject of unwarranted fears, most bats

are harmless and highly beneficial.are harmless and highly beneficial.

2. Vigorous exercise is a good way to reduce the effects of stress on 2. Vigorous exercise is a good way to reduce the effects of stress on

the body.the body.

3. Developing color film is more complicated than developing black 3. Developing color film is more complicated than developing black

and white.and white.

4. In this essay I will discuss abortion.4. In this essay I will discuss abortion.

5. Television is destroying the unity of the modern family.5. Television is destroying the unity of the modern family.

A thesis statement shouldA thesis statement should

contain a contain a topictopic (main idea of (main idea of what you are writing about)what you are writing about)contain an contain an opinionopinion about the about the topic (what your attitude is topic (what your attitude is toward the topic)toward the topic)

A basic Three Point thesis should have:

• Three distinct elements that support your topic.

• Lacking three elements:

• Abortion is wrong because it kills babies.

• Better:

• Abortion is morally wrong since it can lead to psychological scaring, possible medical complications and places infertile couples at a disadvantage in starting their own family.

Which statement does not have three elements of support?

• A. Allowing students to listen to music in class is beneficial since many students concentrate better with music, students spend less time chatting or texting, and lastly, students are receptive to new concepts when tension is low.

• B. Allowing music in the classroom forces students to work because they aren't forced to listen to their teacher's music.

Doesn't have three elements:

B. Allowing music in the classroom forces students to work because they aren't forced to

listen to their teacher's music.

A thesis statement should not be too broad.A thesis statement should not be too broad.

Too BroadToo BroadThe world is a magnificent place to live.The world is a magnificent place to live.

BetterBetterGood teachers make Downey High School a fantastic Good teachers make Downey High School a fantastic

school. school.

Which sentence is too broad to be a good Which sentence is too broad to be a good thesis statement?thesis statement?

A.A. One reason to live in Downey is One reason to live in Downey is the access to many wonderful the access to many wonderful places to eat. places to eat.

B.B. Downey is a great place to live.Downey is a great place to live.

Too BroadToo Broad

Downey is a great place to live.Downey is a great place to live.

A thesis statement should not be too wordy.A thesis statement should not be too wordy.WordyWordySome problems with Downey High School is that Some problems with Downey High School is that

it needs a larger eating area, an air conditioned it needs a larger eating area, an air conditioned gym, an auditorium, restrooms connected to each gym, an auditorium, restrooms connected to each classroom, running water in the classrooms, and a classroom, running water in the classrooms, and a number of other physical changes to the building.number of other physical changes to the building.

BetterBetterDowney High School needs several changes to Downey High School needs several changes to

its facility to make it a better school. its facility to make it a better school.

Which sentence is too wordy to be a good Which sentence is too wordy to be a good thesis statement?thesis statement?

A.A. Abe Lincoln was one of the best Abe Lincoln was one of the best presidents the United States has ever presidents the United States has ever known.known.

B.B. Abe Lincoln was an excellent speaker, Abe Lincoln was an excellent speaker, the 16the 16thth President of the United States, a President of the United States, a liberator of slaves, and united the North liberator of slaves, and united the North and South at the end of the American Civil and South at the end of the American Civil War. War.

Too WordyToo WordyAbe Lincoln was an excellent speaker, the Abe Lincoln was an excellent speaker, the

1616thth President of the United States, a President of the United States, a liberator of slaves, and united the North liberator of slaves, and united the North and South at the end of the American Civil and South at the end of the American Civil War. War.

A thesis statement should not be too A thesis statement should not be too general.general.

Too generalToo generalDowney High is a good school. Downey High is a good school.

BetterBetterDaily writing practice has led to improved Daily writing practice has led to improved

writing skills for the students at Downey writing skills for the students at Downey High School. High School.

Which sentence is too general to be a good Which sentence is too general to be a good thesis statement?thesis statement?

A.A. Music makes people happy. Music makes people happy.B.B. Music therapy is useful in Music therapy is useful in

relieving stress and other relieving stress and other conditions.conditions.

Too generalToo general

Music makes people happy.Music makes people happy.

A thesis statement should not be a title.A thesis statement should not be a title.

A titleA titleCost of Living Cost of Living

BetterBetterThe cost of living in Downey is lower than The cost of living in Downey is lower than

in most other cities in the United States. in most other cities in the United States.

Which sentence would not be a good thesis Which sentence would not be a good thesis statement because it is a title?statement because it is a title?

A.A. Good teaching has led to an Good teaching has led to an increase in CST scores at Downey increase in CST scores at Downey High School. High School.

B.B. Rising CST Scores at Downey Rising CST Scores at Downey High School.High School.

A TitleA Title

Rising CST Scores at Downey Rising CST Scores at Downey High School.High School.

A thesis statement should not be a a fact.A thesis statement should not be a a fact.

A factA factThe average temperature for Downey in The average temperature for Downey in

winter is 68 and in summer is 78 degrees. winter is 68 and in summer is 78 degrees.

BetterBetterThe climate in Downey is ideal for outdoor The climate in Downey is ideal for outdoor

sports. sports.

Which sentence would not be a good thesis Which sentence would not be a good thesis statement because it is a fact?statement because it is a fact?

A.A. The recycling of one aluminum The recycling of one aluminum can save energy to run a TV for can save energy to run a TV for three hours. three hours.

B.B. Recycling is one of the most Recycling is one of the most important jobs a person can do to important jobs a person can do to protect our environment.protect our environment.

A FactA Fact

The recycling of one aluminum The recycling of one aluminum can save enough energy to run a can save enough energy to run a TV for three hours. TV for three hours.

More PracticeMore Practice

Directions: Directions: 1) Find the opinion words in the statement. If there 1) Find the opinion words in the statement. If there are no opinion words, it is not a thesis statement. are no opinion words, it is not a thesis statement. 2) Tell if the statement is a good thesis statement.2) Tell if the statement is a good thesis statement.

Although most people believe Although most people believe otherwise, bats are harmless and otherwise, bats are harmless and highly beneficial.highly beneficial.


In this essay I will discuss the In this essay I will discuss the crime rate in Mountain City.crime rate in Mountain City.


Energetic exercise is a good way Energetic exercise is a good way to help relieve stress.to help relieve stress.


Downey and Paramount differ in Downey and Paramount differ in many ways.many ways.


This paper will consider the This paper will consider the advantages and disadvantages of advantages and disadvantages of students having nightly homework.students having nightly homework.


Hate speech should be eliminated Hate speech should be eliminated for many reasons.for many reasons.

Take out a piece of notebook paper and Take out a piece of notebook paper and number from 1 to 10.number from 1 to 10.

In each of the following slides tell In each of the following slides tell whether the sentence is a good or bad whether the sentence is a good or bad thesis statement.thesis statement.

Good, bad, wordyGood, bad, wordy

1.1. Many people do not like to watch Many people do not like to watch violent horror movies. violent horror movies.

2.2. Today’s movies do not have the Today’s movies do not have the emotional impact of the classic emotional impact of the classic horror movies of the 1940’s. horror movies of the 1940’s.


1. Many people find rap music offensive people find rap music offensive because of its lack of positive effect on because of its lack of positive effect on the youth, misogyny towards women the youth, misogyny towards women and the violent culture it nurturesand the violent culture it nurtures. .

2.2. Rap music is the best music ever. Rap music is the best music ever.


5.5. White water rafting can challenge a person both White water rafting can challenge a person both in body and spirit since it is physically in body and spirit since it is physically challenging, mentally harrowing and does not challenging, mentally harrowing and does not provide a 'quick' escape if danger arises.provide a 'quick' escape if danger arises.

6.6. I enjoy white water rafting because it is I enjoy white water rafting because it is exhilarating and makes me feel accomplished. exhilarating and makes me feel accomplished.


7.7. Eleventh grade students are Eleventh grade students are busy.busy.

8.8. The life of an eleventh grader The life of an eleventh grader is challenging due to is challenging due to extracurricular activities, extracurricular activities, academic demands and academic demands and maintaining social relations. maintaining social relations.


9.9. Students should help others who are less Students should help others who are less fortunate such as building shelters for the fortunate such as building shelters for the homeless, distributing clothes to the homeless, distributing clothes to the homeless and volunteering at soup homeless and volunteering at soup kitchens. kitchens.

10.10. Community service projects include building Community service projects include building shelter for the homeless, servicing meals to shelter for the homeless, servicing meals to the hungry, providing transportation for the the hungry, providing transportation for the sick, distributing clothes, and a large sick, distributing clothes, and a large number of other helpful activities.number of other helpful activities.

WHAT’S A SIMPLE WAY TO BUILD A THESIS?WHAT’S A SIMPLE WAY TO BUILD A THESIS?

You can also use this simple formula and it will lead you to a thesis:You can also use this simple formula and it will lead you to a thesis:

WHAT IS YOUR TOPIC? WHAT IS YOUR TOPIC? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Transition word/phrase (due to,because, by, such as, in order to)Transition word/phrase (due to,because, by, such as, in order to) __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Three elements:Three elements:

First element ___________________________________________________First element ___________________________________________________

Second element _________________________________________________Second element _________________________________________________

Third element ___________________________________________________Third element ___________________________________________________

Practice time with the formula• 1. Experimentation on animals has proven

beneficial due to the increased knowledge in scientific research

• 2. Such as• 3. Cancer treatments, discovery of new DNA,

and improving medicinal drugs• Your thesis would read: Experimentation on

animals has proven beneficial due to the increased knowledge in scientific research such as, cancer treatments, discovery of new DNA and improving medicinal drugs.

• Now you and the person NEXT to you try playing with the formula to create a thesis statement.

Documents

Thesis Statement Pp t