The Thesis Statement
The Roadmap of Your Essay
Introduction
By the end of our lesson today, you will:
 Have a better understanding of a thesis
statement;
Know how to identify a thesis statement;
Know how to identify a good thesis
statement;
Write a thesis statement.
Definition
Thesis Statement
The thesis statement is one sentence that tells
the main idea of an essay. It tells the
argument that you are going to defend. It
states a claim and takes a position. In the
essay you will defend your position using
examples and/or facts to support your
argument. Can you find the thesis
statement in the following examples?
Definition
Thesis Statement
Since I was a little girl, I have always been a
teacher. Being the oldest made me the teacher and
the student of many lessons that I would later have to
teach my younger siblings. Teaching requires a
person’s full attention. It also demands an extreme
amount of patience. Being a teacher warrants a full
commitment from the teacher. Teaching is a
demanding, yet rewarding job.
Thesis Statement
Another Example
Studies show that teenagers would benefit from a
later school start. Middle and high schools should begin
later in the morning to allow greater success in the
school system.
You may be able to develop the essay by incorporating the following
ideas:
1. A later school start could mean more time for students and teachers
to rest. 2. Teachers are more productive and could plan better lessons
to engage their students in learning. 3. A later start in school gives
parents more time in the morning with their children.
Key Features
Thesis Statement
 Answers the prompt
 States the main idea in a complete sentence,
not a question
 Sometimes at the end of an introduction
 States an opinion or attitude on a topic
Key Features
Answers the Prompt
Prompt
Does not
answer the
prompt
completely
Student Responses
 Writing Situation: There has been a
problem in local schools with discipline
and violence.Your school board has
decided to institute a school uniform
policy in order to cut down on these
problems, based on the positive
examples that they have seen at other
schools.
Consider the issue of school uniforms.
What is your position on this issue?
Directions forWriting: Write a persuasive
essay to giving reasons for our position
on the school uniform issue.
School uniforms are not connected
to violence.
The introduction of school
uniforms may decrease
violence, however, there may
be other detrimental effects as a
result of this new policy.
Answers
the
prompt
Key Features
Main Idea in a Complete Sentence
Since the thesis statement is the main
statement for the entire essay, it should express
a complete thought and be a complete sentence.
The thesis statement is asserting an opinion or
idea, so it should not be a question. Look at the
examples below to see how they can be made
into thesis statements.
Key Features
The Main Idea is a Complete Sentence
The sport of basketball.
THIS IS NOT A SENTENCE.
The sport of basketball is an engaging sport THESIS
STATEMENT
that everyone should learn to play.
Why is writing the best subject?
THIS IS A QUESTION, NOT A
STATEMENT.
Writing is a very challenging subject, yet
rewarding because one can express THESIS
himself on paper to convince others. STATEMENT
A COMPLETE SENTENCE
Another Example
Marcus Garvey and the Harlem
Renaissance.
THIS IS NOT A SENTENCE.
Marcus Garvey’s ability to rally people behind a cause, to
make speeches, and to defend civil rights makes him
arguably the most important figure of the Harlem
Renaissance.
What is the problem with big cities?
THESIS
STATEMENT
THIS IS QUESTION, NOT A
STATEMENT.
The problem of pollution in major cities can be alleviated by
limiting the number of cars allowed to drive on city streets and
creating more efficient public transportation systems.
THESIS
STATEMENT
Key Features- Location
Your reader likes to know what the
essay is going to be about early on in
the essay rather than the end of the
essay. Because of this, the thesis
statement is often found at or near
the end of the introductory
paragraph.
KEY FEATURES
LOCATION
In America, freedom of expression is a right that our
forefathers fought foe. Lunch is a social time for students
where they can express themselves with their friends. It is
also a time when students don’t have to talk about school.
Finally, allowing students to express themselves in lunch
allows for less off-topic discussion during classes. Silent
lunch is a violation of students’ first amendment rights and
is not an acceptable solution the loud noise in the cafeteria.
Key Features
States an Opinion or Attitude
A thesis statement states an opinion or
attitude about a particular topic, making the
thesis more specific. The writer must
defend or explain this opinion in the essay.
Look at the following slides to see
examples.
Key Features
States an Opinion or Attitude
 I learned to play many musical
instruments when I was young.
This would not be considered a
good thesis statement because it
is only expressing a fact. It
doesn’t give the writer’s opinion or
attitude on playing musical
instruments. This thesis
statement doesn’t give the writer
very much to explain or prove in
his/her essay.

Learning to play many musical
instruments at a young age helps
a child to become a more
intelligent and well-rounded
person.
This thesis statement is much
better because it expresses how
the writer feels about the
experience of learning to play
musical instruments. This
thesis statement requires the
writer to explain how and why
playing a musical instrument
may make someone a better
person.
An Opinion or Attitude
Another Example
Cancun is a popular vacation spot
in Mexico.
Cancun is one of the best vacation
spots in Mexico because of its
comfortable climate and proximity
to some well-known archeological
sites.
This would not be considered a good
thesis statement, because it is only
expressing a fact. It doesn’t reflect the
writer’s opinion or attitude on Cancun.
This thesis statement doesn’t give the
writer very much to explain or prove in
his/her essay.
This thesis statement is much better
because it expresses how the writer feels
about Cancun. This thesis statement
requires the writer to explain how and
why going to Cancun is a good choice
for visitors.
Key Features
Don’t State the Obvious
At all costs, you should avoid using “I’m going
to write about…” or “This essay will
discuss…” in your thesis statements. Try to
write the thesis statement in a way that will
capture your reader’s attention, but does
not state the obvious.
Don’t State the Obvious
In this essay, I’m going to talk about why
students shouldn’t have to wear uniforms.
A dress code requiring students to wear
uniforms can inhibit student expression,
quench creativity, and deter students from
enjoying school.
Don’t State the Obvious
This essay will discuss why teachers should not
be permitted to assign homework to students.
Homework is a nuisance that should not be
assigned because it causes headaches for
teachers, students, and parents.
Key Features
Review
Answers the prompt
States the main idea in a complete sentence,
not a question
Usually at the end of an introduction
States an opinion or attitude on a topic
Does not directly announce your main topic