The Thesis Statement
A thesis statement is like a controller for the Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3.
When you are playing a video game, what would happen if the controller was disconnected?
from the game console? Your character would probably die and you would lose the game! Well, it’s
the same thing with your thesis statement. If you don’t put a thesis statement in your essay, your essay will die,
and you will lose your audience (and any chance at a good grade). The key to winning in the game of essay
writing is to have a well-built thesis statement!
Let’s say your essay prompt tells you to write an essay about your favorite TV show,
which happens to be Spongebob Squarepants. (Go with the silly easy stuff for just a
moment, will you?) The first thing you would do, now that you know your topic, is to
think about three reasons why Spongebob Squarepants’ TV show is special to you. Here
are three sample reasons you might choose:
1. Spongebob is always getting into trouble.
2. Squidward hates everybody.
3. Bikini Bottom is an exciting place to live.
Now, you will write a thesis statement about your favorite TV show.
Step ONE would be to write a belief statement about your topic.
For example, you might write, “I believe that Spongebob Squarepants is the best television show of the year.”
Step TWO would be to add 3 facts to your belief statement.
For example, you might add, “I believe that Spongebob Squarepants is the best television show of the year
because Spongebob is always getting into trouble, Squidward hates everybody, and Bikini Bottom is an exciting
place to live.” (Notice how your three reasons are added here.)
Step THREE is to eliminate the “I believe” part of your statement. Now you would have, “Spongebob
Squarepants is the best television show of the year because Spongebob is always getting into trouble,
Squidward hates everybody, and Bikini Bottom is an exciting place to live.” There is your thesis statement!
You’ve done it!
Step FOUR is to ask yourself, “How do I know this is a good thesis statement?” Well, is it debatable? Is it
specific? If the answer is yes to both of these questions, you are well on your way to greatness in a paper!
Okay, we’ve done the Spongebob silly stuff. Now, let’s get you up to your level of learning. No groans please!
Let’s create real, solid thesis statements on the THESIS STATEMENT WORKSHEET attached after we take
one more look at this…
WRITING A THESIS
What is a thesis statement? A thesis statement is an opinion-based sentence that names the topic of your
paper. In most cases, this sentence is the last sentence in your introduction.
What must a thesis statement do, have, and be?
o Do-take a position
o Have/Be-supportable with research readily available
o Be-expressed in one sentence
What does a good thesis statement look like?
o A thesis statement should NOT be general!
o General thesis statement: Crime must be stopped. (No kidding!)
o Does this take a position?
o Is this supportable with solid research available?
o Can it be expressed in more than one sentence?
**Even though this statement answers YES (or SORTA) to these questions, a thesis statement should be
SPECIFIC, and highlight a DIRECT ARGUMENT that you are trying to make.
o Specific Thesis Statement: The courts need to hand out stiffer and stricter sentences to criminals.
(Now, this one has you thinking…Why does the writer think so? Are there reasons behind this?)
Which thesis statement is better?
Dickens writes good novels.
Vs.
Dickens uses the setting in his novels to emphasize
themes such as social power, wealth as a corruption,
and hypocrisy.
**A thesis statement is a roadmap for writing a paper. Without a thesis statement, you cannot make an outline,
take notes, or map out the direction you want your paper to take.
Understanding thesis statements…
o If you do not already have a prompt, start with a big topic and then break it down into a thesis
statement.
o Subject: Rainforests
o Topic: The importance of rain forests
o Research Question: What is the importance of rain forests?
o Thesis statement without supporting reasons: Rainforests should not be destroyed.
o Thesis statement purpose needs supporting reasons for what the paper will discuss.
They can be added at this point.
o Can this be made more specific?
o Research question: What different living systems are in the rain forest, which help the
balance of life on earth?
o Thesis statement: Rainforests should not be destroyed because they provide beneficial
nutrients and living systems to our planet. (there should be at least two more supporting
reasons added to this.)
Now, it is YOUR turn…
Thesis Statement Worksheet
Step 1: Pick a topic (or if you are given a prompt, think about the topic!)
o Example: SAT Tests
o Your Topic:
Step 2: Write a belief statement about your topic:
o Example: I believe that the SAT tests should be eliminated.
o Your belief statement:
Step 3: Add 3 facts or examples to your belief statement:
o Example: I believe that the SAT tests should be eliminated because, they are expensive for the
average student, they are time consuming for all involved, and they cannot predict success in
college.
o Your statement:
Step 4: Eliminate the “I believe,” and you have a thesis statement!
o Example: SAT tests should be eliminated because they are expensive for the average student,
they are time consuming for all involved, and they cannot predict success in college.
o Your thesis statement:
Step 5: Always ask yourself, “How do I know it is a good thesis?”
o Is it debatable?
o Is it specific?
PRACTICE!
Narrow Thesis Statements:
1. School uniforms are dull and bland.
2. Sororities and fraternities should be banned on college campuses.
Broaden these thesis statements:
1. .
2. .
**Remember: Thesis statements are not statements of absolute facts. Exp: Jane Austen is the author of Pride
and Prejudice.