Writing an Effective Thesis Statement Thesis Statement Introduces

Writing an Effective Thesis Statement

Thesis Statement Introduces your narrowed topic Reveals what your essay is about States the point you will make about the topic

Thesis Statements: Give You w ill s this on ee a test direction to the author of a paper Give readers an idea as to what the paper will be about

Where am I going? ESSAY An essay without a thesis statement is like a car without a driver

What is a thesis statement? A thesis statement is a sentence used in an essay that serves as the guide for the essay and directly answers the question or task asked of you. A thesis statement express the Thi s on will b the e main idea of your paper. tes too ! t,

What is a thesis NOT? NOT Yep, you guessed it— on the test. A factual statement A topic sentence TOPIC SENTENCE: Big Spring is a small town in West Texas. (This is factual, topic sentence; therefore, it is not a thesis statement. )

Characteristics of a Thesis Statement Addresses the prompt clearly Makes a claim, or Presents an argument Is arguable (an opinion) In first paragraph of essay You should be great at this!

It’s time to spot a thesis! On each of the following slides, read the writing prompt and the two sample statements. Click on the one that is the best choice for a thesis.

1. Early on in life, people develop an admiration for heroes. In a well-developed essay, discuss a person you admire and why you chose this person. Option A One person I admire is Babe Ruth, who played baseball from 1914 until 1935. Option B One person I admire is Babe Ruth, the greatest baseball player of all time.

Incorrect Option A One person I admire is Babe Ruth, who played baseball from 1914 until 1935. Although this does address the writing prompt, this is a factual statement. A thesis statement should be something you can argue for or against.

Correct! Great Job! Option B One person I admire is Babe Ruth, the greatest baseball player of all time. This statement addresses the prompt, and presents and opinion that can be argued.

How to write an effective thesis

1. Make an assertion An assertion takes a position, expresses a view point, or suggest your approach toward the topic Lacks assertion: Hollywood movies, like 127 Hours and The King’s Speech, are frequently based on true stories. Revised: Hollywood movies, like 127 Hours and The King’s Speech, manipulate true stories to cater to the tastes of the audience.

2. Be specific Try to provide as much information as possible about your main point. Too General: I learned a great deal from my experiences as a teenage parent. Revised: From my experiences as a teenage parent, I learned to accept responsibility for my own life and for that of my son.

3. Focus on one central point Limit your essay to one major idea Focuses on several points: This college should improve its tutoring services, sponsor more activities of interest to Latino students, and speed up the registration process for students. Revised: To better represent the student population it serves, this college should sponsor more activities of interest to Latino students.

4. Offer an original perspective on your topic If your thesis seems dull or ordinary, it probably needs more work to provide and interesting angle on your topic. Too ordinary: Many traffic accidents are a result of carelessness. Revised: When a driver has an accident, it can change his or her entire approach to driving.

5. Avoid making an announcement Don’t use phrases such as “This essay will discuss” or “the subject of my paper is. ” Instead, state your main point directly. Makes an announcement: The point I am trying to make is that people should not be allowed to smoke on campus. Revised: The college should prohibit smoking on campus.

6. Use your thesis to preview the organization of the essay Consider using your thesis to mention the two or three concepts on which your essay will focus, in the order in which you will discuss them.

Exercise Work in a group of two or three students, discuss what is wrong with each of the following thesis statements. Then revise each thesis to make it more effective. 1. In this paper, I will discuss the causes of asthma, which include exposure to smoke, chemicals, and allergic reactions. 2. Jogging is an enjoyable aerobic sport. 3. The crime rate is decreasing in American cities. 4. Living in an apartment has many advantages. 5. Children’s toys can be dangerous, instructional, or creative.