Thesis Statements 101
How to write a strong thesis statement and make your
essay rock!
3 Parts
A GOOD thesis sentence has three main parts:
1) the limited subject (what your paper is about),
that
2) the precise opinion (what you're trying to say about
subject), and
3) the essay map (a brief outline of how you're going
to support your claim – should explain “HOW” or
“WHY” your idea/opinion is right or strong; Rationale)
Basic Example
1)Subject: Restoring old houses
2)Opinion: Restoring old houses is rewarding.
3)Essay map: It is exciting, relaxing, and satisfying.
Use “BECAUSE” to put it all together into a Basic Thesis
Statement:
Restoring old houses is rewarding BECAUSE it is
exciting, relaxing, and satisfying.
Use qualifiers like ALTHOUGH, WHEN, IF and revise
vocabulary into a Strong Thesis Statement”:
When antique houses are restored, home-owners not
only reap the benefits of a new home but also the
excitement, relaxation, and satisfaction of the
process.
Dr. Thesis: Diagnosis & Prescription – Write the problem (what is missing) and
give a prescription (what it needs).
1) Chefs are better than cooks.
2) Steroid abuse
3) Hip hop is the best thing that has happened to music in twenty years.
4) I enjoy white water rafting.
Chefs are better than cooks.
Chefs are better than cooks because chefs have more
education, are more professional, and are creative
with the food they create.
ALTHOUGH both chefs and cooks can prepare fine
meals, chefs differ from cooks in education,
professional commitment, and artistry.
Steroid abuse
Steroids should be banned from sports.
Steroids should be banned from sports BECAUSE
athletes tend to abuse them.
Steroids, even those legally available, are addictive
and should be banned from sports.
Hip hop is the best thing that has happened to music
in twenty years.
Hip hop is the best thing that has happened to music
in twenty years BECAUSE it gives kids a way of
expressing themselves and is an example of poetry
found in the streets.
Though many people dismiss hip hop as offensive,
hip hop music offers urban youth an important
opportunity for artistic expression, and allows them
to articulate the poetry of the street.
I enjoy white water rafting.
I enjoy white water rafting BECAUSE it is challenging and
transforming.
A first water rafting experience can challenge the body
and spirit and transform an adolescent into an adult.
Although white water rafting can be dangerous, a first
water rafting experience can actually challenge the body
and spirit and transform an adolescent into an adult.
Martin Luther King Jr was a great leader (this is what you're trying to prove in the
essay) because he motivated others to take action (point 1), lead by example (point 2)
and used non-violence as a method for change (point 3).
Or
The internet was the most important invention of the 20th century because it made
information easily accessible, connected the world in a new way and increased the
efficiency of information sharing.
Or (This one is an introductory paragraph. The thesis statement is in red at the end)
In the novel The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian, Junior is affected both
positively and negatively by his interactions with the many people he encounters in
his day to day life. Although Rowdy beats up Junior, he is a true friend because, he
keeps Juniors secrets, protects Junior by standing up to his bullies, and he encourages
Junior to reach beyond his limitations by climbing the tree.
Try your own….
Cellphones in class
Legalization of marijuana
Salaries of professional atheletes
Animal use in medical research
Relationship between violent video games and real life
violence
Do teens spend too much time “plugged in?” (online,
cellphones, video games)
Paragraph One (Introductory Paragraph)
Sentence One: General statement (sometimes called a ‘theme
statement’; hints at the thesis; does not say characters’ names
or specifics)
Sentence Two: Author, title (i.e., Twelfth Night), continue
general statement
Sentences Three, Four, Five: Harnessing statements (2-4
sentences which allude to the arguments, moving toward the
thesis)
Sentence Six (maybe Seven) Thesis statement (1-2 sentences,
including three specific arguments in the correct order)
1Hollywood
has made it very easy to confuse love and
lust, or even love and romance. 2In William Shakespeare’s
Romeo and Juliet, we see that our two protagonists fall prey
to an equally idealized vision this powerful emotion. 3In the
beginning of the play, Romeo speaks of his “love” for
Rosaline, only to abandon her the moment he lays eyes on
fair Juliet. 4Juliet, who has hardly thought about love and
marriage, agrees to marry Romeo after only knowing him for
a few hours. 5Lord Capulet, who professes to “love” his
daughter, threatens to disown her if she doesn’t agree to
marry the man of his choice. 6Are any of these really
examples of love? 7Although many of the characters in
Romeo and Juliet speak about what they believe to be love;
there is no true love in this play. 8Instead, the examples of
love are insincere, immature, or based on physical attraction
rather than the deeper feelings associated with true love.
Paragraph Two (Developing Paragraph #1: Eight Sentences)
Topic sentence (argument number one)
Example #1 (give a specific incident from the literary work that
makes the argument clear)
Explanation #1 (explain how the example relates to the
argument)
Example #2
Explanation #2
Example #3 (note: at least one of these three examples should
include a quotation from the literary work as well)
Explanation
Concluding Sentence (ties the paragraph together; refers back
to argument #1)
The feelings which Romeo describes as his love for Rosaline, at
the start of the play, are clearly insincere. Romeo is fickle about this love,
and when he meets Juliet, he immediately forgets all these feelings for
Rosaline. If he really loved Rosaline, he would have at least been somewhat
conflicted when his feelings quickly shifted to Juliet. Secondly, Romeo and
Juliet meet, and within only a few hours they have agreed to spend all
eternity together. “If that thy bent of love be honourable, thy purpose
marriage, send me word tomorrow…” (2.2143-144). When Romeo requests
that Friar Lawrence help them by secretly marrying the couple, the Friar
makes it clear that he does not believe Romeo’s feelings to be sincere “Is
Rosaline, that thou didst love so dear, so soon forsaken? Young men’s love
then lies Not truly in their hearts, but in their eyes.” (2.3.66-68). The only
reason he agrees to marry them, is because he thinks that their union will
end their families’ long standing feud. Lastly, we have Paris’s desire to
marry Juliet. His feelings for Juliet could not possibly be genuine, as he
agrees to rush into a marriage with her at a time when she is clearly
emotionally unavailable. He does not even consider whether or not Juliet is
in favour of their union. The lack of sincerity demonstrated by all of these
characters, clearly exhibits a lack of understanding of what it really means
to be in a relationship based on mature love.
Additional Body
Paragraphs
Paragraph Three (Developing Paragraph #2)
Like Paragraph 1, only for argument number two. Be
sure to use “linking” or “transitional” phrases
between paragraphs.
Paragraph Four (Developing Paragraph #3)
Like above, only for argument number three (the
strongest argument).
Conclusion