Thesis Statements 101
The most important SENTENCE in any
text!
A GOOD thesis sentence
has three main parts:
1) the limited subject (what your paper is about),
2) the precise opinion (what you're trying to say
about that 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
(Circle the subject)
1) Opinion: Restoring old houses is rewarding.
(underline the opinion)
2) Essay map: It is exciting, relaxing, and
satisfying. (box the essay map)
Basic Thesis Statement
 >Use “BECAUSE” to put it all
together into a Basic Thesis
Statement:
 Restoring old houses is rewarding
BECAUSE it is exciting, relaxing,
and satisfying.
Strong Thesis Statement
 >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.
Revision: BASIC to STRONG
 Restoring old houses is rewarding
BECAUSE it is exciting, relaxing,
and satisfying.
 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
 Each of the following thesis patients has a
sickness. Diagnose the problem and give a
prescription. Which part of the thesis is
present and which is missing?
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.
Opening Activity
*Take out reading log and thesis homework.
o
What is a thesis statement? Why is it
important?
o
What 3 main parts are needed in every
good thesis statement?
o
What is a qualifier?
Weak > Basic > Great > Strong
 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.
Weak > Basic > Great > Strong
 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.
Weak > Basic > Great > Strong
 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.
Weak > Basic > Great > Strong
 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.
Your Turn to Play Dr. Thesis
 For each student thesis, diagnose the
problem and the prescription needed.
Which part of the thesis is present
and which is missing?
 Determine if it is Weak, Basic, Great,
or Strong.
 Revise the thesis into a Great or
Strong Thesis.
Student Theses
 1. Republican presidents have
contributed to the “American Dream”
more so than the Democrats.




Present: subject, opinion
Missing: essay map
Basic
Republican presidents have contributed
to the “American Dream” more so than
the Democrats by lowering taxes and
increasing job supply.
Opening Activity
 What is a thesis statement? Why is it
important?
 Rewrite the best thesis statement you
created while working on the Dr. Thesis
worksheet. Look for one that clearly
incorporates a subject, opinion and essay
map.
 I will choose 3 people to write those theses on
the front board.
Persuasive Essay Outline
 Let’s look over the
outline of this
essay.
 Notice the amount
of sentences
required per
paragraph.
 Notice how much
evidence is
required to support
your ideas.
QuickTime™ and a
TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
Brainstorming
Please fill in the brainstorm spaces,
but STOP when you reach the Thesis
Statement lines at the end.
Opening Activity
 Who do you blame for the obesity
epidemic in America?
 List the 2 reasons to support your
decision.
 What is the strongest
counterargument against your
claims?
Application Time
 Time to apply your knowledge and
understanding of thesis statements.
 Prompt:
Explain Weintraub’s argument and discuss
the extent to which you agree or disagree
with his analysis. Support your position,
providing reasons and examples from your
own experience, observations, or reading.
 Which is the most effective thesis
statement?
 I strongly agree with Mr. Weintraub because of the
dynamics and regime of parents’ lives today and parents
wanting to blame everyone and thing but themselves.
 In his article “The Battle Against Fast Food Begins in the
Home,” Daniel Weintraub explains that parents need to
take responsibility for the eating habits of their kids, and
I agree with his opinion on this matter.
 I agree that parents need to take more responsibility for
child obesity, but schools, fast food companies and the
government also need to take that same initiative.
Goal
 Write 3 GREAT or STRONG Thesis
Statements!
 Remember to vary up your vocabulary.
 Try words you’ve never used before.
 Be creative and avoid BECAUSE!
Opening Activity
 Take out your 3 thesis statements.
 For each statement: circle the subject,
underline the opinion and box the essay map.
 Put a star next to the thesis statement you
believe is the best.
 Share your chosen thesis statement with the
folks at your table.
Organization
 Highlight your first argument &
Body Paragraph 1 pink.
 Highlight your second argument
& Body Paragraph 2 green.
 Highlight your counterargument
& Body Paragraph 3 blue.
Finding Evidence
 Each body paragraph must contain an
argument and 3 pieces of evidence to
support that argument.
 You will now look over the articles
read in class and decide which pieces
of evidence best support what you
have to say.
 Do not forget to cite where the
quotes came from!
Counterargument & Refutation
 Argument:
 Parents are to blame because they are
responsible for the health of their children.
 Counterargument:
 Fast Food Companies are to blame because they
advertise to children.
 Refutation:
 Parents should be monitoring what their children
watch and the advertising they are exposed to.
Counterargument Practice
 Argument:
 Fast Food Companies are to blame because they
created larger portion sizes at cheaper prices.
 Counterargument:
 Parents are to blame because they do not teach their
children healthy eating habits.
 Refutation:
 Parents cannot monitor all food their children are
exposed to. Fast Food Companies have a responsibility
to the public to control healthy portion sizes.
Homework
 Reading Log
 Find evidence for body paragraphs 1 & 2 (6
quotes from the articles or other credible
sources)
 Check out the persuasion map link in our class
files if you would rather type out your evidence.
 Arrive prepared to begin writing Draft 1 of
your argument paper.
Opening Activity
 Argument:
 Write who you blame in your essay here.
 Counterargument:
 Write the opposing view here.
 Refutation:
 Write why the opposing argument is
wrong here.
3rd paragraph
 In your 3rd paragraph, you will need
to find 1 piece of evidence for the
counterargument and 2 pieces of
evidence for your refutation.
 The evidence you use CAN be
personal experience or information
found online.
Period Goals
 By the end of this period, you should
have the following completed:
 Final thesis sentence
 All 9 pieces of evidence for all 3 body
paragraphs
 Ability to write the body paragraphs
Body Paragraphs (pg.30)
 Topic Sentence
 Introduce main argument in the paragraph.
 Evidence
 Make sure your evidence is persuasive and
varied. Use pathos, logos and ethos!
 Commentary
 Explain why the quote supports your argument.
 Closing Sentence
 Wrap up your thoughts. What do you want the
reader to be left thinking about at the end of
this paragraph?
Body Paragraph 1 & 2
Example
 Topic sentence
 Parents are responsible for the welfare of
their children, so it is certainly their duty
to monitor what their children eat.
 Evidence
 Barboza argues that, “…” (2).
Body Paragraph 3 Example

Although I believe parents are responsible for the
obesity epidemic in America, some point the finger at
fast food companies and their massive portion sizes.
Brownlee reiterates this point in “It’s Portion Distortion
That Makes America Fat” when he writes, “If you put
more food in front of people, they eat more, as studies
have consistently shown over the last decade” (35).
Brownlee assumes that consumers do not have the willpower to resist tempting food at any size. I disagree
with his argument that fast food companies should have
to create smaller portion sizes. From my personal
experience…
Tips to remember!
 Blend your quotes - pg. 31
 Avoid “blah” words - pg. 19
 Expressions To Use In Academic Writing pg. 16
 Cite where your evidence is from - pg. 35
Homework
 Reading Log
 First draft of TYPED body paragraphs
are due Monday
 Be prepared to spend a lot of time
editing on Monday