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
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
main idea of your paper.
What is a thesis 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 Ruth, the greatest
One person I admire is Babe
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.