Thesis Statements
• A thesis is a statement that tells the reader
the topic of your entire paper.
Basic Five Paragraph Essay:
I.
Introduction
I. Lead
II. Background
Information
III. Preview of Main
Points
IV. Thesis Statement
II.
Body Paragraph #1
III. Body Paragraph #2
IV. Body Paragraph #3
V.
Conclusion
Thesis Tips
• An effective thesis has a subject and a position.
• One of the easiest ways to create a strong thesis
is to take the prompt question and turn it into a
statement!
• You must have the author and title of the literary
work in your thesis statement!
• Take out “filler words”—I think, etc.
Example Thesis Statement
Prompt:
Identify and explain the purpose of the preface
to Night by Elie Wiesel.
Thesis Statement:
Elie Wiesel wrote the preface to Night to inform
his readers why it was important that he write
his memoir.
Tips for Brainstorming YOUR Essay
• Think about your 2 point response and
EXPAND upon the ideas you’ve already come
up with
• Think about the ideas Elie Wiesel presents in
“The Perils of Indifference”
• How do the words “responsibility” and
“indifference” work together?