Name: _______________________________________________Date:_______________Ms. Estes Period: ______
Sample Thesis Statements:
When you write an essay, you must have an opinion or argument that you are
going to prove is true. You have hundreds of opinions and you talk about them every
day. When you write an essay, all you are doing is explaining one of your beliefs or
opinions, and then proving that you’re right by explaining the reasons in an organized
way.
The argument in your essay is called a thesis statement. Below are some poorly
written thesis statements:
I'm going to tell you about Edgar Allan Poe and how he wrote Gothic Horror.
(Don't mention what "I" will do. Leave yourself out of the paper entirely—the reader already knows that it’s your
essay because it has your name on it! Also, this thesis has nothing to argue.)
There are a lot of things that were unusual about the Victorians.
(Chock full of vague ideas. The only content word here is the term "Victorians.")
The rhyme scheme in Alfred Noyes “The Highwayman."
(This isn’t even a sentence. What is it about the "rhyme scheme" that the writer will focus on? What will be argued?)
Stephenie Mayer is a contemporary author of the Twilight series of novels that are very
popular among fans of vampire fiction.
(This does not focus on any particular theme or style of the writer. It is a vague statement about her popularity. What
will the writer try to prove?)
Mary Shelley was the most famous female writer of the British Romantic Period.
(This statement is historical. It lacks any focus on her style of writing and isn’t really arguable.)
Which of the following thesis statements is better? Be able to explain why.
a. E-coli contamination should not happen.
b. E-coli contamination is a problem that can be solved.
a. The causes of the Civil War were economic, social, and political.
b. I am going to tell you about the Civil War in my historical essay.
a. The Simpsons represents the greatest animated show in the history of television.
b. The Simpsons treats the issues of family and social issues very effectively.
a. Teenage smoking is one of the biggest health issues in America today.
b. Teenage smoking can create a life-long addiction and can cause lung cancer later in life.
a. We shouldn’t have to wear school uniforms.
b. School uniforms are a bad idea for middle school students.