Thesis Statement Review What is a Thesis O

Thesis Statement Review

What is a Thesis? O 1. Describes your topic – what your writing will be about. O 2. Introduces a claim you are making about your topic – what is your opinion? O 3. Describes three ways you will support and develop your claim.

Thesis Formula Topic + Claim + Three Supporting Details

Example: Going back to college was a complex process that involved researching a school, applying for admission, and enrolling in classes. Let’s break it down …

Topic Going back to college was a complex process that involved researching a school, applying for admission, and enrolling in classes. O The writing is about going back to college. O But, there is a lot to say on this subject, so we need to narrow it down to one, specific claim.

Claim Going back to college was a complex process that involved researching a school, applying for admission, and enrolling in classes. O The topic is narrowed down to the complexity of going back to college. Now the topic is more focused.

Three Supporting Details Going back to college was a complex process that involved researching a school, applying for admission, and enrolling in classes. Three reasons going back to college is a complex process: O You need to research a school O You’ll have to apply for admission O You’ll need to enroll in classes

A Good Thesis Statement … O Establishes the focus of the writing. O Limited to one topic. O A declarative sentence – does not use might, maybe, probably, could, perhaps …)