-What is a thesis statement?

A thesis statement: tells the reader how you will explain the importance

of the subject matter under discussion. is a road map for the paper; in other words, it tells

the reader what to expect from the rest of the paper. directly answers the question asked of you.

A Thesis statement…

makes a claim that others might dispute. is usually a single sentence somewhere in

your first paragraph that presents your argument to the reader. The rest of the paper, the body of the essay, gathers and organizes evidence that will persuade the reader of the logic of your interpretation.

Thesis Statements

Thesis: _______________________________________________Write a thesis that is neither too broad nor too narrow for each group of three supporting points:a) My first car was a rebellious-looking one which matched the way I felt

and acted as a teenager.b) My next car reflected my more mature and practical adult self.c) My latest car seems to tell me that I’m aging; it shows my growing

concern with comfort and safety.

Thesis Statements

Thesis: ________________________________a) Going to a two-year college can save up to$20,000 in tuition.b) If the college is nearby, there are no costs for

room and board.c) All the course credits that are accumulated

can be transferred to another college

Thesis Statements

Thesis: ___________________a) First, I tried simply avoiding the snack aisle of

the supermarket.b) Then I started limiting myself to only five

units of any given snack.c) Finally, in desperation, I began keeping the

cellophane bags of snacks in the cupboard.

Thesis StatementsThesis statement: ________________________a) First of all, I was a typical “type A”

personality: anxious, impatient, and hard-driving.

b) I also had a family history of relatives with heart trouble.

c) My unhealthy lifestyle, though, was probably the major factor.

Thesis StatementComplete the following thesis statements by adding a third supporting point that willmatch the two already provided.

Because I never took college preparatory courses in high school, I entered college deficient in mathematics, study skills and _____________.

Thesis

• A good salesperson needs to like people, act aggressively, and ___________