
A thesis statement is the foundation of a
well constructed essay. It tells the
reader what the essay is about and how
the writer feels about that topic.
TOPIC + OPINION
=
THESIS STATEMENT

An essay with a weak thesis statement is
like a house built out of straw – both will
collapse easily.

Straw is a good building material.
opinion
Problem:
topic
The example above is true to the definition of a
thesis statement, but it is boring. It is a BASIC
statement. It doesn’t elaborate, hook the reader,
or explain itself.

Which of the following is a BASIC thesis
statement?
› A) Darth Vadar is the best bad guy.
› B) Star Wars was first released in 1977.
› C) Darth Vadar is Luke Skywalker’s father.
› D) Star Wars is the ultimate adventure movie
packed with action, romance, and
unforeseen twists.

Which of the following is a BASIC thesis
statement?
› A) Liberty Hill Junior High outshines all other
schools with its high expectations, strong
academics, and outstanding athletic
programs.
› B) Liberty Hill Junior High is the best.
› C) Liberty Hill Junior High is located in
Liberty Hill, Texas.
› D) School is school where ever you go.

Create three BASIC thesis statements in
response to the following prompts:
› 1)
What is your all-time favorite movie?
› 2)
What is the most dangerous sport?
› 3)
Which superhero would make the best
school principal?
Stand silently beside your desk.
 Without talking, find a partner with the
same size feet.

WAIT FOR THE
MUSIC TO STOP.
Share your answers.
Sit in the nearest desk with the partner
with whom you were just speaking.

A SATISFACTORY thesis statement is
strong enough to survive a gust of wind,
but will not stand up during a storm.
It provides more information than a basic
statement, but it still leaves the reader with
questions.

Sticks are a better construction material
than straw because they can withstand
wind.
TOPIC + OPINION + REASON
=
SATISFACTORY THESIS STATEMENT

Which of the following is a
SATISFACTORY thesis statement?
› A) Monopoly should be a UIL event.
› B) All students are required to chew gum
between the hours of 11:00 am and
12:00pm.
› C) Sticking your tongue out is an excellent
test taking strategy since it increases blood
flow to the brain.
› D) Strawberry ice cream is the best.

Which of the following is a SATISFACTORY
thesis statement?
› A) Many people don’t believe aliens exist.
› B) Circumnavigating the globe in a UFO is the
ultimate thing to do on a Sunday afternoon.
› C) Wiggling his fingers in his ears, Sammy
showed the crowd that he could talk to
Martians.
› D) Martians are much friendlier than the people
from Venus because they are willing to share
their technology.

Create three SATISFACTORY thesis
statements in response to the following
prompts:
› 1)
Who is your favorite cartoon character?
› 2)
What is the most boring activity in the
world?
› 3) With which superhero would you most like
to sit next to at dinner?
Stand silently beside your desk.
 Without talking, find a partner with the
same size hands.

WAIT FOR THE
MUSIC TO STOP.
Share your answers.
Sit in the nearest desk with the partner
with whom you were just speaking.
An EXCEPTIONAL thesis statement will identify a
topic, provide an opinion AND explain the point of
view through examples. It will with stand high winds
and tough questioning.

Bricks are the ultimate construction
material because they can withstand wind,
are impervious to rain, and will last forever.
TOPIC + OPINION + 3 REASONS
=
EXCEPTIONAL THESIS STATEMENT

Which of the following is an
EXCEPTIONAL thesis statement?
› A) Fried worms are the most delicious
breakfast food; they are full of flavor,
bursting with vitamins, and chewy beyond
belief.
› B) Bubble and squeak is a traditional English
breakfast dish.
› C) Scrambled eyeballs are very nutritional.
› D) Breakfast is the most important meal of
the day because it gives you energy.

Which of the following is an EXCEPTIONAL
thesis statement?
› A) Chocolate is its own food group.
› B) When tomatoes were first brought to the
Americas, people believed they were poisonous.
› C) All children should be allowed to eat as much
candy as they like since it stimulates the brain.
› D) Lollipops are more valuable than diamonds
because they are easy to find, are available in
many different colors, and are delicious to eat.

Create three EXCEPTIONAL thesis
statements in response to the following
prompts:
› 1)
Describe what change could make school
less boring?
› 2)
Identify and explain why ice fishing is / is
not the ideal pastime?
› 3) Which alien, a smoogle, a croogle, or a
doogle would make the best pet?
Stand silently beside your desk.
 Without talking, find a partner with the
color shirt as you.

WAIT FOR THE
MUSIC TO STOP.
Share your answers.
Sit in the nearest desk with the partner
with whom you were just speaking.