Thesis StatementThesis Statement

What is a thesis statement?What is a thesis statement?It’s the main point, or It’s the main point, or controllingcontrolling idea. idea.

It is your Compass … it guides your It is your Compass … it guides your essay.essay.

Thesis StatementThesis Statement

It answers these questions:It answers these questions:► What is the subject?What is the subject?► What is the author’s What is the author’s opinion on the subject opinion on the subject ??

Subject: Fish Thesis Statement:

Fish are friends, not food.

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A thesis statement does not just “tell what the essay is about.”

Topic + Opinion (Position) =Topic + Opinion (Position) =Thesis StatementThesis Statement

Example of a Student’s thesis:Example of a Student’s thesis: The person I am today is based on the mistakes I’ve The person I am today is based on the mistakes I’ve

made, made, and the life lessons I’ve learned.and the life lessons I’ve learned.

““Everything in your essay should support your thesis…Everything in your essay should support your thesis…

Write your thesis statement at the top of your first draft, Write your thesis statement at the top of your first draft, and refer to it often <and> your chances of drifting and refer to it often <and> your chances of drifting away from your purpose should be reduced.” (p. 32)away from your purpose should be reduced.” (p. 32)

Working ThesisWorking Thesis

Your thesis may change as you Your thesis may change as you

gather information … gather information …

And you may need to rewrite your rough And you may need to rewrite your rough draft draft

as you focus.as you focus.

Working ThesisWorking Thesis

If your working thesis changes:If your working thesis changes: ““Don’t try to pass off an old head on the Don’t try to pass off an old head on the

body body of a new statue!” (p.33)of a new statue!” (p.33)

Working Thesis:Working Thesis: American values have declined.American values have declined.

Final Thesis:Final Thesis: Movies, TV and Advertising have Movies, TV and Advertising have contributed to the decline in American contributed to the decline in American values.values.

Go back and rewrite, removing Go back and rewrite, removing thoughts/information which isn’t related thoughts/information which isn’t related to your three main points.to your three main points.

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Thesis StatementThesis Statement

A good thesis:A good thesis:► asserts one main ideaasserts one main idea► states a clearly defined opinionstates a clearly defined opinion► has something worthwhile to sayhas something worthwhile to say► is limited, or focusedis limited, or focused► is clearly stated, and is specificis clearly stated, and is specific► is recognizable, usually in the 1is recognizable, usually in the 1stst or 2 or 2ndnd

paragraph.paragraph.

Essay MapEssay Map

“ a brief statement in the “ a brief statement in the introductory paragraph introductory paragraph

introducing the major points introducing the major points to be discussed in the essay” (p. to be discussed in the essay” (p.

40)40)

Movies, TV and AdvertisingMovies, TV and Advertising have contributed have contributed to the decline in American values.to the decline in American values.

Because of its free services, well-trained tutors, Because of its free services, well-trained tutors, and useful learning aidsand useful learning aids, the Writing Center is , the Writing Center is

an excellent resource for students.an excellent resource for students.

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Five “Don’ts” in Thesis StatementsFive “Don’ts” in Thesis Statements

►Don’t just announce your subject matter:Don’t just announce your subject matter:The subject of this essay …The subject of this essay …

►Don’t use the first person point of view Don’t use the first person point of view (POV):(POV):

I believe that … ; My thesis states …I believe that … ; My thesis states …

►Don’t have an “attitude”:Don’t have an “attitude”:Don’t label, be condescending, overly emotional, or Don’t label, be condescending, overly emotional, or

oversimplifyoversimplify ►Don’t just state a fact, or obvious opinion:Don’t just state a fact, or obvious opinion:Child abuse is a terrible problemChild abuse is a terrible problem

►Don’t phrase your thesis as a question:Don’t phrase your thesis as a question:Have you ever wondered why? Why should …Have you ever wondered why? Why should …

(p. 39)

Thesis StatementThesis Statement

(p. 39)

1. Who is the targeted audience?1. Who is the targeted audience?

2. What is the purpose of the ad?2. What is the purpose of the ad?

3. Write a thesis statement which 3. Write a thesis statement which includes:includes:

a. the subjecta. the subject

b. the writers opinion on the b. the writers opinion on the subjectsubject

c. the author’s purpose (may be c. the author’s purpose (may be implied)implied)

4. Using one of the prewriting 4. Using one of the prewriting methods, brainstorm ideas for an methods, brainstorm ideas for an essay to support your thesisessay to support your thesis

Exercise: Prewriting & Thesis

(Wyrick, p. 220): Diamond Trading Co, 2005

Source:Source:

Wyrick, Jean. Wyrick, Jean. Steps to Writing WellSteps to Writing Well. Boston: Wadsworth, . Boston: Wadsworth, 2008. Print.2008. Print.