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Mr. Lugo’s
Essay Writing
Workshop
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Essay Writing
Thesis Writing
What is a “thesis”?
A statement or theory that is put forward as a
premise to be maintained or proved.
Thesis writing is done by everyone.
So, how do you write a thesis?
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Essay Writing
How to Write a Thesis Statement…
A thesis statement is a sentence at the end of your
introduction paragraph that will state, specifically, where one
stands on the proposed question and the facts that will be
used to prove said point.
Introduction Paragraphs
1. Basic Statement + Time Period
2. Point #1
3. Point #2
4. Point #3
5. Thesis Statement
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Essay Writing
1. B.S. + T.P.
Broad Statement + Time Period
Example: Research Japanese internment in New
Jersey during World War II.
“World War II was a conflict that saw the entire globe
consumed in fierce combat from 1939 until 1945.”
“The eastern coast of the United States is an area that is
relatively left out of conversations when discussing the
events that took place regarding the internment of
Japanese-Americans and Japanese born Americans.”
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Essay Writing
2, 3, and 4 - Points
2. Original immigration laws and quotas
prevented Japanese citizens from entering the
United States limiting their role in society.
3. Economic tension and competition between
Japanese born Americans and American citizens
led to growing discomfort.
4. The surprise attack on Pearl Harbor
contributed largely to growing discrimination
and racism directed at Japanese Americans and
Japanese born Americans.
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Essay Writing
5. Thesis Statement
With your thesis statement, you want to take the three
points you used for sentence 2, 3, and 4, and use them to
formulate an argument that clearly shows your stance on
the statement/question that was proposed.
KEEP YOUR THESIS TO ONE SENTENCE. DO NOT
BREAK THIS RULE UNTIL YOU GET TO COLLEGE. AND
EVEN THEN, DO NOT BREAK IT.
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Essay Writing
Body Paragraphs
NO LONGER will your body paragraphs
be comprised of simple statements.
What is the difference between
statements and analysis?
Statements = Content.
Analysis = Tying those statements back to
your thesis.
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Essay Writing
Content v. Analysis
What is “content”?
“The material, including text and images, that
constitutes a publication or document.”
What is “analysis”?
“Detailed examination of the elements or
structure of something, typically as a basis for
discussion or interpretation.”
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Essay Writing
Examples From My Senior Thesis
Topic Points
The incident that took place in Great Meadows, New
Jersey is a key moment in understanding the racial tension
that was found in the era of World War II in the United
States. It was through many acts involving the
limitations on immigration, moments of economic
tension and competition between Japanese born
Americans and American citizens, and the surprise
attack by the Japanese on Pearl Harbor that
contributed to the growing discrimination towards
those of Japanese heritage and eventually internment.