THESIS STATEMENTS WME P 25 29 THESIS STATEMENTS

THESIS STATEMENTS WME P. 25 -29

THESIS STATEMENTS • Show the writer’s unique approach (point of view) to the topic of the essay • Are often directly followed by essay map • Essay maps state the ideas that support the writer’s position • Often state three main ideas Example: Grandma Rose’s house was my treasure house; it was in this house that I enjoyed unconditional love, played all the childhood games, and learned a lot of survival skills.

THESIS STATEMENTS • Telemarketing should be made illegal because it intrudes in our family time, interrupts our normal telephone conversations, and allows room for fraudulent sales. • The federal government should monitor internet communications because pornography on the internet has harmful effects on children; advertising agencies may persuade viewers to buy defective products, and people may be misled by false information posted through the internet.

DEVELOPING A THESIS STATEMENT 1. Choose a topic. 2. Write thesis statement by clearly expressing your approach (point of view) to the topic. 3. Write your essay map by stating 3 main ideas.

DEVELOPING A THESIS STATEMENT Topic: Success View: Success means achieving personal goals. Map: It means to have a loving family, a good education, and a stable job. Thesis Statement: Success means achieving personal goals including having a loving family, a good education, and a stable job.

DEVELOPING A THESIS STATEMENT Topic: My father View: My father is the most responsible person in the world. Map: He provides all the necessities for the family, lends a shoulder to his relatives, and makes sure that all his kids do well in school. Thesis statement: My father is the most responsible person in the world since he provides all the necessities for the family, lends a shoulder to his relatives, and makes sure that all his kids do well in school.

WHAT TO AVOID • Avoid using vague/broad terms. • Words like “good, ” “bad, ” “great, ” “terrific, ” and “cool” should be avoided because they suggest a broad range of meanings: • Vague: My high school graduation day was a great day. • Clear: My high school graduation day was an exciting day, highlighted by the inspirational speaker, the emotional ceremony, and the unforgettable dance.

WHAT TO AVOID • Avoid using statements that are too narrow. • A narrow thesis statement (sometimes called dead end) doesn’t have any room to grow: • The speed limit near my home is 65 miles per hour. • A hurricane hit southern Florida last summer. • Remember, a thesis statement must be broad enough to require support: • The speed limit near by home should be lowered to 55 miles per hour for several reasons. • Federal officials made a number of mistakes in their response to the recent Florida hurricane.

WHAT TO AVOID • Avoid announcing the topic/the writer’s intention (“I am going to…”) • Announcing the topic is redundant and distracting • Redundant: In this essay, I will describe the process of how to get ready for a folkloric dance performance. • Concise: It is easy to learn how to get ready for a folkloric dance performance. • Redundant: In this essay, I will talk about a personal experience I had with the betrayal of a friend. • Concise: Being betrayed by a friend was a painful experience.

WHAT TO AVOID • Stating more than one main idea: • One of the most serious problems affecting young people today is bullying, and it is time more kids learned the value of helping others. • Teachers have played an important role in my life, but they were not as important as my parents. • Try to be as clear as possible, and limit your thesis statement to the single key idea you want readers to know.

TOPIC SENTENCES WME P. 29 -32

TOPIC SENTENCES • The main idea of a body paragraph • One of the major points supporting thesis Example: Thesis Statement: My visit to my motherland Philippines was a great learning experience; I learned about my culture, my parents, and myself. Topic Sentence 1: Going back to my own country, the Philippines, helped me learn about the customs and traditions typical of my culture. Topic Sentence 2: Learning about my roots helped me understand my parents better. Topic Sentence 3: Returning to my roots also helped me learn about myself.

DEVELOPING A TOPIC SENTENCE • Should be less general than thesis statement, but general enough to control the body paragraph 1. Review thesis statement & writer’s view on topic 2. Check essay map 3. Rewrite each of the major points from the map in a complete sentence, which recaptures the writer’s view and the supporting major point. Each rewritten sentence becomes the topic sentence.

THESIS STATEMENT: Recycling trash should be mandatory because it decreases pollution, saves money, and reinforces citizens’ sense of responsibility. Topic Sentence 1 Recycling trash is a good way to alleviate the problem of pollution. Topic Sentence 2 We can also save money if we recycle trash. Topic Sentence 3 Our citizens’ sense of responsibility will be reinforced by recycling trash.

REVIEW • A thesis statement is the _____________. • An essay map states _______________. • Things to avoid in thesis statements are: • • • A topic sentences is the _____________.