So, what is a
thesis
statement?
Easy steps in learning how
to create top notch thesis
statements!
A thesis statement is…
•
…the last sentence of your introductory
paragraph that tells the reader what your essay
is going to be about.
•
…a sentence that presents your argument to
the reader. (What are you trying to prove?)
•
…one that addresses specific issues and not a
broad/general idea.
•
…a sentence that takes a stand!!!
Why do I need a
thesis statement?
•
A thesis statement gives your paper:
•
•
•
•
•
Direction
Focus
It grabs the reader’s attention
It limits/restricts what can be discussed (so the writer
doesn’t babble on and on and on and on about
irrelevant information)
It tells the reader what they can expect when
reading your paper
What do I need to
remember?
•
Great essays begin with great intro paragraphs and
great thesis statements!!
•
Mr. Bever will judge you and your work ethic based on
your thesis statement!
•
A thesis statement explains “why”
•
Don’t just say, “Abortion is wrong.” Tell me why it’s
wrong… and be specific.
•
A thesis statement that is barely one line is too short.
What a thesis
statement is not!
•
A thesis statement is not a title
•
•
“Prayer in public schools” (what about it?)
•
“The best football player ever” (who is it, what about
him?)
•
•
Try this instead: “Taking away prayer in public
schools is unconstitutional because it violates our
First Amendment right to free speech.”
Try this instead: “Brett Favre is arguably one of the
greatest football players of all time because of his
ability to make his teammates better every day.”
“Smoking in the home is child abuse” (why?)
• YOU TRY IT!
•
•
What a thesis
statement is not!
A thesis statement cannot be a fact!
You can’t argue a fact. You’ll spend your entire
essay proving something that is already true.
 BAD: “LeBron James left the Cleveland Cavaliers
to play for the Miami Heat.” (What are you trying
to say here?)
 BETTER: “LeBron James will not go down as one
of the greatest players in NBA history because he
couldn’t win a championship on his own.”
Thesis statements?
 Fact or observation (BAD):
 People use many lawn chemicals.
 Thesis (GOOD):
 People are poisoning the environment with
chemicals merely to keep their lawns clean.
 Announcement (BAD):
 The thesis of this paper is the difficulty of solving our
environmental problems.
 Thesis (GOOD):
 Solving our environmental problems is more difficult
than many environmentalists believe.
Thesis Statements?
 Title (BAD):
 Social Security and Old Age.
 Thesis (GOOD):
 Continuing changes in the Social Security System makes it
almost impossible to plan intelligently for one’s retirement.
 Broad (BAD):
 The American steel industry has many problems.
 Thesis (GOOD):
 The primary problem in the American steel industry is the lack
of funds to renovate outdated plants and equipment
Thesis statements?
 People are too selfish.
 Crime must be stopped.
 The United States economy is a mess.
 Dan Brown’s historical fiction novels are really good.
 Drug addiction has caused a huge increase in
violence and crimes.
 George Orwell is the author of the amazing book
Animal Farm.