Thesis Statements:

WME p. 25-29Thesis StatementsThesis statementsShow the writers unique approach (point of view) to the topic of the essayAre often directly followed by essay mapEssay maps state the ideas that support the writers positionOften state three main ideas

Example:Grandma Roses house was my treasure house; it was in this house that I enjoyed unconditional love, played all the childhood games, and learned a lot of survival skills.Thesis statementsTelemarketing should be made illegal because it intrudes in our family time, interrupts our normal telephone conversations, and allows room for fraudulent sales.

The federal government should monitor internet communications because pornography on the internet has harmful effects on children; advertising agencies may persuade viewers to buy defective products, and people may be misled by false information posted through the internet.Developing a Thesis StatementChoose a topic.Write the thesis statement by clearly expressing your approach (point of view) to the topic.Write your essay map by stating 3 main ideas.Developing a Thesis StatementDeveloping a Thesis StatementWhat to avoidAvoid using vague/broad terms.Words like good, bad, great, terrific, and cool should be avoided because they suggest a broad range of meanings:Vague: My high school graduation day was a great day.Clear: My high school graduation day was an exciting day, highlighted by the inspirational speaker, the emotional ceremony, and the unforgettable dance.What to avoidAvoid using statements that are too narrow.A narrow thesis statement (sometimes called dead end) doesnt have any room to grow:The speed limit near my home is 65 miles per hour.A hurricane hit southern Florida last summer.Remember, a thesis statement must be broad enough to require support:The speed limit near by home should be lowered to 55 miles per hour for several reasons.Federal officials made a number of mistakes in their response to the recent Florida hurricane.What to avoidAvoid announcing the topic/the writers intention (I am going to)Announcing the topic is redundant and distractingRedundant: In this essay, I will describe the process of how to get ready for a folkloric dance performance.Concise: It is easy to learn how to get ready for a folkloric dance performance.

Redundant: In this essay, I will talk about a personal experience I had with the betrayal of a friend.Concise: Being betrayed by a friend was a painful experience.What to avoidStating more than one main idea:

One of the most serious problems affecting young people today is bullying, and it is time more kids learned the value of helping others.Teachers have played an important role in my life, but they were not as important as my parents.

Try to be as clear as possible, and limit your thesis statement to the single key idea you want readers to know.WME p. 29-32Topic sentencesTopic sentencesThe main idea of a body paragraphOne of the major points supporting the thesis

Example:Thesis Statement: My visit to my motherland Philippines was a great learning experience; I learned about my culture, my parents, and myself.

Topic Sentence 1: Going back to my own country, the Philippines, helped me learn about the customs and traditions typical of my culture.

Topic Sentence 2: Learning about my roots helped me understand my parents better.

Topic Sentence 3: Returning to my roots also helped me learn about myself.Developing a topic sentenceShould be less general than the thesis statement, but general enough to control the body paragraph

Review thesis statement & writers view on topicCheck essay mapRewrite each of the major points from the map in a complete sentence, which recaptures the writers view and the supporting major point. Each rewritten sentence becomes the topic sentence.Thesis statement:Recycling trash should be mandatory because it decreases pollution, saves money, and reinforces citizens sense of responsibility.14reviewA thesis statement is the __________________________.An essay map states _____________________________.Things to avoid in thesis statements are: A topic sentences is the __________________________.