THE THESIS STATEMENTComposition and Literature

What is a Thesis Statement?

The thesis statement is the one sentence summary of the argument which is to follow.

Keep In Mind: A Thesis Statement is NOT your topic; it

is the POSITION you take on your topic. You will spend the rest of your paper

convincing your reader of why your opinion is TRUE!

A Thesis Statement……is a road map for the paper. …tells the reader what to expect from the

rest of the paper.…makes a claim that others might dispute

(must be arguable)…is a single sentence in the introduction

of your paper.

A Thesis Statement Is NOT: A statement of factExample: Edgar Allan Poe wrote works of gothic

fiction. (This is a fact; no one would argue this point)

A statement of your opinionExample: Abortion is evil and therefore should not be

permitted.(This is a writer’s opinion)

A topic Example: America’s involvement in Iraq.

(This only provides a topic and nothing else)

What Is An Arguable Thesis?Think of yourself as a member of a jury, listening to

a lawyer who is presenting an opening argument. You'll want to know very soon whether the lawyer believes the accused to be guilty or not guilty, and how the lawyer plans to convince you.

Readers of research papers are like jury members:

Before they have read too far, teachers want to know what the essay argues as well as how the writer plans to make the argument.

A good thesis statement should have your teacher asking:

WHY??Or

HOW??

A bad thesis statement has your teaching saying:

Duh! Who Cares!?

Gee, no kidding!

Examples of Good Thesis Statements:

General Subject: CollegesThesis Statement: From housing to

sports, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania stands out more than Villanova.

General Subject: ObesityThesis Statement: Television helps

contribute to the problem of childhood obesity.

Examples of Good Thesis Statements:

General Subject: SmokingThesis Statement: To prevent the

increasing trend of teens and preteens smoking, more intense measure should be taken to thoroughly teach them the dangers that it can prevent.

Which is the best Thesis Statement?

  1. Even though marriage is a strong and respected institution in Russia, more and more people are choosing to live together before marriage, despite the cultural pressures.

2. I am going to explain why many couples in Russia are choosing to live together rather than get married.

3. Marriage in Russia

Which is the best Thesis Statement?

1.  Knowing a foreign language.

2. Why should people know a foreign language?

3. Knowing a foreign language can help one advance in a career, relate better to others, and open one's mind to the ideas of another culture.

Which is the best Thesis Statement?

1. Michaelangelo's artwork is powerful because of its strong spiritual undertones.

2. Michaelangelo's artwork is famous and is admired by many.

3. Michaelangelo was a great artist in Rome during the 1500's.

Which is the best Thesis Statement?

1. Animals

2. Dogs are great pets.

3. When it comes to animals, dogs make better pets than cats.

Which is the best Thesis Statement?

1. Rap music is great.

2. Rap music is a popular form of art because it is creative and original and because it follows the traditions of jazz.

3. Rap music was influenced by other music.

How do I begin writing a thesis statement?

If you are having trouble, use the following formula:

__________ should be __________.

(TOPIC) (Your position)

Examples:Drug testing should be mandatory for all

high school athletes.

School uniforms should be put into practice in all public schools.

The drinking age should be lowered to 18.

Your Assignment:On a sheet of loose leaf, identify the following:

1. General Subject 2. Thesis Statemento Must be persuasiveo Use the formula if you are having trouble.

Thesis statement must be handed in before leaving class today.

Questions??