The Thesis Statement
A Road Map for Your Essay
What is a thesis statement?
The
MOST IMPORTANT SENTENCE
in your paper!
What is a thesis statement?
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A road map for the rest of the paper
Lets the reader know the main idea of
the paper
Answers the question: “What am I
trying to prove?”
Not a factual statement, but a claim
that has to be proven throughout the
paper
The engine that drives the car
Role of the Thesis Statement:
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should guide your reader
through your argument

should be located in the
introduction of the paper (at
the end)
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*may also be located within
the body of the paper,
depending upon the purpose
or argument of the paper, but
this practice is not
recommended
Introduction
Thesis Statements
After you have brainstormed and you have some main
ideas of what you would like to write in your essay, you can
begin thinking about writing a thesis statement.
What’s a thesis
statement????
Definition
A thesis statement is a complete sentence
that contains one main idea. This idea controls
the content of the entire essay. A thesis
statement that contains subpoints also helps a
reader know how the essay will be organized.
How do I know if my thesis
is strong?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Do I address the prompt?
Is my thesis arguable?
Is my thesis specific?
Does my thesis pass the “SO WHAT” test?
Is my thesis manageable given the length and
time requirements?
Is my thesis interesting to my intended
readers?
Definition
Thesis Statement for Biographical Narrative
When I was young, I always knew that I wanted to become a
teacher someday. When I played, I would often gather my dolls
together and pretend to teach them how to do math problems or
how to read a book. As I grew older, my desire to become an
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESL) teacher became
clearer as I did some volunteer teaching overseas and in the
United States. As I look back on my reasons for becoming a
teacher, there are three that stand out: my love for the English
language, my innate interest in how people learn, and my desire
to help other people .
The thesis statement
contains the main idea
that controls the content
of the essay.
Subpoints in the thesis
or nearby help the
reader know how the
essay will be organized
Thesis Statement
Expository Essay
Psychologists have argued for decades about how a
person’s character is formed. Numerous psychologists
believe that one’s birth order (e.g., place in the family as the
youngest, oldest, or middle child) has the greatest influence.
Placement in the family can have a significant impact on the
formation of a child’s character. Birth order can strongly
affect one’s relationship with parents, one’s relationships
with others, and the way in which one views responsibility
as an adult.
The thesis statement
contains the main idea
that controls the content
of the essay.
Subpoints in the thesis
or nearby help the
reader know how the
essay will be organized
Key Features
Thesis Statement

states the main idea of the essay in a complete
sentence, not in a question

is usually at the end of an introduction

states an opinion or attitude on a topic. It does not
just state the topic itself

often lists subtopics (Note: this is NOT required in
a response to lit essay).
Key Features
Main Idea in a Complete Sentence
Since the thesis statement is the main
statement for the entire essay, it should express
a complete thought and be a complete sentence.
The thesis statement is asserting an opinion or
idea, so it should not be a question. Look at the
examples below to see how they can be made
into thesis statements.
Key Features
Main Idea in a Complete Sentence
The sport of cross-country running.
This is not a complete
sentence.
The sport of cross-country running has allowed
me to get in better shape and meet some
interesting people.
Why do I want to be a teacher?
Thesis
Statement
This is a question, not a
statement.
Being a teacher is a rewarding profession
because it allows me to work with students
and be creative.
Thesis
Statement
A Complete Sentence
Another Example
The problem of pollution in big cities.
This is not a complete
sentence.
The problem of pollution in major cities can be
alleviated by limiting the number of cars allowed to
drive on city streets and creating more efficient public
transportation systems.
Why should marijuana be legalized?
Thesis
Statement
This is a question, not a
statement.
Marijuana should be legalized because it is not any
more addictive than tobacco, and it can provide
numerous medicinal benefits for those suffering from
terminal illnesses.
Thesis
Statement
Key Features
Location
English readers like to know what an essay
will be about near the beginning of the essay
rather than at the end. This is why the thesis
statement is often found at the end of the
introductory paragraph
Key Features
Location
For most of my life I have lived with bad health,
smelly clothes, and a chronic cough. My children and
husband begged me to stop the habit that caused
these conditions, but I couldn’t. The habit of smoking
had wrapped its addicting arms around me and was
slowly strangling me until one day I realized I had to
stop. This realization came after three terrifying
events occurred in my family.
The thesis statement comes at the end of
the introductory paragraph. This sentence tells
the reader that he/she can expect to read
about the events that caused the author to stop
smoking in the rest of the essay.
Location
Another Example
Maya Angelou is an accomplished African-American author
in the United States. While growing up, she suffered
tremendous hardship. Some of her most difficult life events
are portrayed in novels and poems such as I Know Why the
Caged Bird Sings and “Still I Rise.” Her written works often
include strong themes such as perseverance through trials,
love for family, and passionate optimism.
The thesis statement comes at the end of
the introductory paragraph. This sentence tells
the reader that he/she can expect to read more
about how Maya Angelou expresses these
themes in her writing.
Key Features
States an Opinion or Attitude
Good thesis statements often express a
writer’s opinion or attitude on a particular topic.
This makes the thesis statement more specific
and requires the writer to explain or prove
his or her opinion in the essay. Look at the
examples below.
Key Features
States an Opinion or Attitude
I learned to play many musical
instruments when I was young.
This would not be
considered a good thesis
statement because it is only
expressing a fact. It doesn‘t
give the writer’s opinion or
attitude on playing musical
instruments. This thesis
statement doesn‘t give the
writer very much to explain
or prove in his essay.
Learning to play many musical
instruments when I was young
helped me to become a more
intelligent and well-rounded person.
This thesis statement is
much better because it
expresses how the writer
feels about the experience
of learning to play musical
instruments. This thesis
statement requires the
writer to explain how and
why playing a musical
instrument made him a
better person.
An Opinion or Attitude
Another Example
Cancun is a popular vacation
spot in Mexico.
Cancun is one of the best
vacation spots in Mexico
because of its comfortable
climate and proximity to some
well-known archeological
sites.
This would not be considered a
good thesis statement because it
only expresses a fact. It doesn’t
reflect the writer’s opinion or
attitude on Cancun. This thesis
statement doesn’t give the writer
very much to explain or prove in
his essay.
This thesis statement is much
better because it expresses how
the writer feels about Cancun.
This thesis statement requires the
writer to explain how and why
going to Cancun is a good choice
for visitors.
Which thesis statement is the most
effective for an argument about the
need for V-chips in television sets?
1. Parents, often too busy to watch television shows with
their families, can monitor their children’s viewing
habits with the aid of the V-chip.
2. To help parents monitor their children’s viewing
habits, the V-chip should be a required feature for
television sets sold in the U.S.
3. This paper will describe a V-chip and examine the
uses of the V-chip in American-made television sets.
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Choose the best thesis statement from the list
below, and explain why you feel it answers
questions 2, 3, and 5 from Slide 7.
1. The North and South fought the Civil War for many reasons,
some of which were the same and some different.
2. While both sides fought the Civil War over the issue of
slavery, the North fought for moral reasons while the South
fought to preserve its own institutions.
3. While both Northerners and Southerners believed they
fought against tyranny and oppression, Northerners focused
nobly on the rights of others and the oppression of slaves
while Southerners defended only their rights to own property
and to be self-governing.
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Choose the best thesis statement from the
list below, and explain why you feel it
answers questions 2, 3, and 5 from the
previous slide.
1. Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn is a great American novel.
2. In Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain develops a contrast
between life on the river and life on the shore.
3. Through its contrasting river and shore scenes, Twain’s
Huckleberry Finn suggests that to find the true expression of
American democratic ideals, one must leave “civilized”
society and go back to nature.
Titles, Facts, Purpose,
and Theses
Do not confuse titles, factual
statements, or purpose statements
with THESIS STATEMENTS:
Title (not a thesis):
Sesame Street: The Hidden Message
Factual Statement (not a thesis):
Sesame Street is a successful children’s educational
program.
Titles, Facts, Purpose,
and Theses
Do not confuse titles, factual
statements, or purpose statements
with THESIS STATEMENTS:
Purpose Statement (pre-writing strategy):
I plan to argue that Sesame Street emphasizes
entertainment over education.
Thesis Statement:
Sesame Street communicates the message that
entertainment is more important than education.
Purpose vs. Thesis
Purpose Statement (pre-writing):
I plan to identify different kinds of action films and classify them in
groups.
Thesis Statement:
Action films, which lack clear definition, can be divided into four
categories.
Purpose Statement (pre-writing):
I plan to illustrate how guns in the home lead to trouble.
Thesis Statement:
The presence of handguns in households with children frequently
leads to fatal accidents, suicides, and murders.
Imply a Method of
Development
Exemplification:
Three former boxing champions show signs of brain damage.
CAUSE AND EFFECT:
Cellular phones, video cameras, and faxes are three reasons
Czechoslovakia's student rebellion succeeded.
PROCESS ANALYSIS:
The psychoanalytic process requires as much intuition as training.
CLASSIFICATION:
Professional dancers fall into one of two groups: trained or natural.
Definition:
The phrase family values has different meanings for different political
groups.
Forecast a Development
Pattern
Political advertisements use three
key
propaganda
devices
to
manipulate voters: bandwagon
appeals, false analogies, and ad
hominem attacks.
Key Features
Subtopics
You can make your thesis statement more
specific by including subtopics or supporting
ideas. By doing this, you give your reader a
clear idea of what will follow in the body
paragraphs of your essay.
Key Features
Subtopics
The large influx of people to California has had major effects on the state.
No subtopics are named in this thesis statement.
subtopic #2
The large influx of people to California has had major effects on the ability of
the state to provide housing, electricity, and jobs for all residents.
subtopic #1
subtopic #3
This statement names three subtopics.
Subtopics
Another Example
Inner-city public schools grapple with some serious problems.
No subtopics are named in this thesis statement.
subtopic #1
subtopic #2
Some of the most serious problems in today’s inner-city public schools are
the overcrowded classrooms, the low percentage of trained teachers, and the
lack of resources such as textbooks for students.
subtopic #3
This statement names three subtopics.
Key Features
Don’t State the Obvious
In thesis statements, you must avoid using
statements like, “This essay will discuss…” or
“I’m going to write about….” Try to write a
thesis statement that captures your reader’s
attention without announcing your main topic
and stating the obvious. Look at the examples
below.
Key Features
Don’t State the Obvious
In this essay, I am going to discuss the
effects of long-term drug abuse.
Long-term drug use can have
disastrous effects on one’s marriage,
career, and health.
Don’t State the Obvious
Another Example
This essay will discuss some ways
teachers can fight teenage drug abuse.
Teachers can fight teenage drug abuse
by educating young people on its
dangers and by being good role models.
Key Features
Review

states the main idea of the essay in a complete
sentence, not in a question

is usually at the end of an introduction

states an opinion or attitude on a topic. It does not
just state the topic itself

often lists subtopics

does not directly announce your main topic