HOW TO MAKE AN OUTLINE AND
THESIS STATEMENT (POSITION
STATEMENT)
Mr. Gilson 7th Grade Social Studies
Southwest Middle School
THESIS STATEMENT (POSITION
STATEMENT)

The thesis statement simply states what your
position is for the essay.
THESIS STATEMENT




Thesis statements should be definitive, and clear.
Read the following thesis statements and select the
best one.
I think Adolf Hitler was the worst dictator in the
world.
Adolf Hitler was bad, but other people in history were
bad too.
Adolf Hitler was a violent, and evil man who
murdered millions of innocent people and because of
this, he was the worst leader in world history.
TIPS FOR WRITING A THESIS STATEMENT

Do…
Use the best facts you have that support your
position
 Make your position clear
 Present it as if it is a fact


Do not…
Say “I think,” “In my opinion,” or “I believe.”
 Give reasons why both positions are right.
 Give every reason you think supports your position.

MAKING A GOOD OUTLINE


When you are writing an essay, it is good to make
sure you break it down into smaller pieces.
It is usually helpful to break it down into a bunch
of smaller pieces or writing prompts.

TIP: Ask yourself questions, and then answer them
in the form of a paragraph.
CHOOSING WHAT QUESTIONS TO ASK

When choosing the questions for each paragraph
you will write:
Write down any question you need to answer to back
up your position
 Write down any question a reader might ask you
about your position
 Write down at least one question for each
source you are required to use.


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Example: What do the quotes I have from the Founding
Fathers say about sacrificing liberties?
What historical events might be significant for me to
discuss liberty and safety?
ESSAY PROMPT: DO YOU BELIEVE IT IS
NECESSARY FOR AMERICANS IN THE MODERN
WORLD TO SACRIFICE LIBERTIES TO BE MORE
SAFE, AND IF SO, IS IT WORTH SACRIFICING
LIBERTIES FOR SAFETY?

Outline:

Introduction
Re-phrase the prompt.
 Tell how you will answer this essay
 Thesis/Position Statement


Body (multiple paragraphs)

What is liberty?
 American Revolution
 French Revolution
 Which revolution ended better for the people? Why?
OUTLINE CONTINUED

Body (multiple paragraphs)

What is tyranny?
 Who is a tyrant?




Kim Jong Un
Napoleon
Louis XVI
King George
What happens when people sacrifice their rights for liberty?
 Hunger Games
 North Korea
 Syria
 Animal Farm
 What quotes that we’ve discussed in class can help support
my position
 This will be a homework assignment that you will keep in
your project folder.

OUTLINE CONTINUED

Body (multiple paragraphs)
What liberties do we have today that are being sacrificed for
safety?
 Airline security
nd Amendment (Gun Control)
 2
 NSA Wiretaps
 Why are we sacrificing these liberties?
 Sandy Hook, CT
 Travon Martin
 Terrorism
 Timothy McVey OKC bombing.

OUTLINE CONTINUED

Body (multiple paragraphs)
Now that we’ve explained all the facts we can use to back up
our position statement, it’s time to actually make our
position statement
 Position statement
 Is it possible to have safety without sacrificing liberty?
YES
Here is why…
1.
2.
3.
NO
But we have
to sacrifice
liberties
because…..
1.
2.
3.
And it isn’t worth
sacrificing liberty for
safety because…
1.
2.
3.