Thesis Statements A thesis is a statement that

Thesis Statements • A thesis is a statement that tells the reader the topic of your entire paper. Basic Five Paragraph Essay: 1. Introduction Paragraph A. Lead/Attention getter B. Background Information C. Bridge sentence D. Thesis Statement 2. Body Paragraph #1 3. Body Paragraph #2 4. Body Paragraph #3 5. Conclusion

Thesis Tips • An effective thesis has a subject and a position. • One of the easiest ways to create a strong thesis is to take the prompt question and turn it into a statement! • You must have the author and title of the literary work in your thesis statement or in your introduction preceding thesis statement! • Take out “filler words”—I think, etc. Use strong word choice! • Be general enough that you can fit support underneath your thesis.

Example Thesis Statement Prompt: Identify and explain how theme “loss of innocence” works within the novel To Kill a Mockingbird. Thesis Statement: Scout and Jem Finch, the main characters in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, experience a loss of innocence when they encounter prejudice and realize the world is not always a just place.