Thesis Statements Definition of a Thesis Statement How

Thesis Statements • Definition of a Thesis Statement • How to Construct a Strong Thesis Statement • How to Tell a Strong Thesis Statement from a Weak One

What is a Thesis Statement? l What is a thesis statement? l Most important sentence in your paper l formulates The single sentence that ______, and / or _____ states sums up the topic of your essay and your approach to the topic l purpose Lets readers know your ______ l prove through Answers: What am I trying to ____ the research / points in my paper?

Four Characteristics of Strong Thesis Statements l 1. A strong thesis statement takes some sort of stand. l l 2. A strong thesis statement justifies discussion. l l A thesis must show your conclusions about a topic. Your thesis should indicate the point of the discussion. (Quoted Source: Writing Tutorial Services, Indiana University- current and following slide)

Four Characteristics of Strong Thesis Statements l 3. A strong thesis statement expresses one main idea. l l Readers need to be able to see that your paper has one main point. If your thesis statement expresses more than one idea, then you might confuse your readers about the subject of your paper. 4. A strong thesis statement is specific. l A thesis statement should show exactly what your paper will be about, and will help you keep your paper to a manageable topic.

Thesis Statements Should: l provable Be ____ l What does this mean? ? l l l Thesis statements should not contain pre-established facts ______. Why? Thesis statements should present information and “take” or approach to the information. your ________ Even though you don’t say, “____” I think or I believe your thesis is your “____, ” opinion research and _____ based on the ___________ conclusions you’ve made as you’ve _____ prepared for your paper.

Thesis Statements Should: l Take your essay’s purpose and audience into account l Contain action verbs, strong adjectives, and specific, illustrative vocabulary l l is “___, ” are “_____, ” have etc. Avoid- “___, ” many ways or other vague, generalized Avoid- “______” statements

Ideas for Stronger Verbs… l Instead of “is / are” use _________ l l _________ Instead of “have” use __________ l l Or ___________________ Instead of “show” use__________ l Or ___________________

Constructing a Strong Thesis Statement l l How do you write a good thesis statement? Magic Formula: Specific Topic ________+ _______ + Active Verb Point You are Proving (your approach) _________________ = Strong Thesis Statement

Formula Example for Literature Specific Topic + Active Verb + Point You are Proving (your approach) = Strong Thesis Statement Even though it was written more than two thousand years ago, Homer’s epic The Odyssey + presents + a hero that today’s audiences can respect. = Strong Thesis Statement

Let’s Observe and Reflect… l l Literature Example: Even though it was written more than two thousand years ago, Homer’s epic The Odyssey + presents + a hero that today’s audiences can respect. = Strong Thesis Statement What do you notice about this thesis statement? How does it differ from past thesis construction ideas you may have learned? Is anything missing?

Formula Example for Science Specific Topic + Active Verb + Point You are Proving (your approach) = Strong Thesis Statement Nuclear power + provides + the cleanest source of energy to meet the demands of the twentyfirst century. =Strong Thesis Statement

Two Different Approaches l There are two ways to construct a strong thesis statement (and include your supporting details). l Using the same magic formula, you can construct: l Three Pronged Thesis A _______ l A _____ Two Part Thesis aka. “the fork” aka. “the knife and the fork”

A Three Pronged Thesis l l l This is the common ______ PSSA approach to writing thesis statements. Your thesis includes your ______, topic your approach to the topic and the __________, three aspects / main points you will use to ____________ prove and discuss your topic in the body of your essay. You may have more or less than 3 points depending on the size of your essay.

A Three Pronged Thesis Example for Literature: l 3 l Literary contemporaries William Shakespeare and Ben Jonson exhibit 1 similar styles of language, 2 character development, and plot execution. = Strong Thesis! Topic + active verb + 3 prongs / main points / the approach that you use to prove your topic = strong thesis

A Three Pronged Thesis Example for Science: Because it 1 emits no greenhouse gasses, 2 causes no atmospheric pollution, and 3 harms no water or aquatic life, Nuclear power + provides + the cleanest source of energy to meet the demands of the twentyfirst century. =Strong Thesis Statement l 3 prongs / main points + Topic + active verb + the approach that you use to prove your topic = strong thesis

A Two Part Thesis l l As you grow as a writer, you should expand into the two part thesis approach. Here, you state your thesis and approach to topic in one sentence. l l This is actually the true definition of a thesis statement… one sentence with topic and approach. Following your “thesis sentence” you must then details statement. write a “_______” You will put forth the main points of your paper (3 aspects / topics) in the “ ______” details statement. l

A Two Part Thesis Example for Social Studies l THESIS- When compared, the United States and the Philippines exhibit similar governing characteristics. l DETAILS STATEMENT- Their federal branches, formal legal systems, and rules of cultural decorum correspond. l Examine how the same formula is used. The thesis is clear, so are the 3 points that will help prove thesis.

A Two Part Thesis Example for Science l THESIS- Nuclear power provides the cleanest source of energy to meet the demands of the twenty-first century. l DETAILS STATEMENT- It emits no greenhouse gasses, causes no atmospheric pollution, and harms no water or aquatic life. l Examine how the same formula is used. The thesis is clear, so are the 3 points that will help prove thesis.

A Two Part Thesis Example for Literature l THESIS- Literary contemporaries William Shakespeare and Ben Jonson possess similar writing styles. l DETAILS STATEMENT- They exhibit comparable word usage, character development, and plot execution.

Let’s Practice: Craft your own thesis Topic Ideas (Whatever you like/know about) l l l l Sports stars Musicians Songs Video games Novels Movies Actors/actresses Remember that your thesis must prove something! l l Similarities? Differences? Commonalities? Something else? -Circle the type of thesis you wrote -Provide an outline for an essay that uses that thesis

Works Cited l Four Characteristics of Strong Thesis Statements (Quotations) l l Writing Tutorial Services, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN Parallel Structure Quotations and Examples l The Purdue OWL Family of Sites. The Writing Lab and OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. 26 Aug. 2005. Web. 18 Aug. 2009.

Independent Thesis Practice l Directions: Please identify the errors and correct the following thesis statements using the information provided and the notes you took in class. l l l You are allowed to add your own information. Make sure to be specific. Write your answers directly on this handout in the spaces provided.

Remember to look out for: l l l l Vague, weak verbs- use action verbs Vague, weak, or generalized language Missing points (3 aspects the paper will cover) Incorrect format- Use of “I” or “This essay is about…” Lack of parallel structure / Inconsistent ordering within the 3 prong list l (keep your nouns, adjectives, etc. in similar form) Facts- remember a thesis needs to be provable, not an already proven fact l (facts go in the body of your essay) Disorganized approaches to the topic l remember to stay focused and organized

#1: Correct this thesis statement using the 3 Pronged approach. l Shakespeare influenced his culture in many ways. (*Create your own 3 points) l l What’s Wrong? ____________ Your Revised Thesis: ________________________________________ _____________________________

BETTER l Shakespeare influenced his culture by creating new words, writing many plays, and raising the bar for playwrights.

#2: Correct this thesis statement using the 3 Pronged approach. l I think that public safety education represents the best way to save lives during an earthquake. l l What’s Wrong? ____________ Your Revised Thesis: ________________________________________ __________________

BETTER l Emergency action plans, prior safety training, and clear lines of communication represent the best ways to save lives during and earthquake.

#3: Correct this thesis statement using the 3 Pronged approach. l In high school, teachers assign homework. l l What’s Wrong? ____________ Your Revised Thesis: ________________________________________ _______________________________

BETTER: In high school, teachers assign homework so that students practice the skill taught, demonstrate the skill without guidance, and gain a better understanding of the material.

#4: Correct this thesis statement using the 3 Pronged approach. l Irony is shown in the following three stories, “The Most Dangerous Game, ” “The Interlopers, ” and “The Necklace” through character development. l l What’s Wrong? ____________ Your Revised Thesis: ________________________________________ _____________________________

BETTER l The short stories “The Most Dangerous Game, ” “The Interlopers, ” and “The Necklace” employ irony to enhance character development.

#5. Correct this thesis statement using the two part thesis approach. l Chocolate cake is easy to bake in three steps. First you add eggs to the batter. l l What’s Wrong? ____________ Your Revised Thesis: ________________________________________ _____________________________

BETTER l. Chocolate cake bakes easily in three steps. One must buy, combine, and cook the ingredients.

#6. Correct this thesis statement using the two part thesis approach. l This essay is about China’s economy. China has many important natural resources. l l What’s Wrong? ____________ Your Revised Thesis: ________________________________________ _____________________________

BETTER l China’s natural resources set the groundwork for its growing economy. Coal, iron ore, and petroleum provide the most lucrative opportunities for growth.

#7. Correct this thesis statement using the two part thesis approach. l Wind energy is an alternative to fossil fuels. l l What’s Wrong? ____________ Your Revised Thesis: ________________________________________ _______________________________

BETTER l FOR WIND ENERGY l Wind energy constitutes a viable option to combat the nation’s dependence on fossil fuels. It represents a clean, sustainable, and easily harnessed natural resource.

BETTER l AGAINST WIND ENERGY l Though an alternative source of energy, wind technology does not offer a viable solution to curbing the nation’s dependence on fossil fuels. Its overwhelming cost, threat to natural wildlife, and large carbon footprint eliminate wind technology as a potential option.