Writing a Thesis Statement

What is a thesis statement? The thesis is NOT a topic, but rather it’s

what you want to say about your topic. The thesis is the main idea or the position you are taking.

Thesis: A sentence with a limited topic and main ideas (commentary or opinions). The thesis is the last sentence of the introductory paragraph.

What does a good thesis do?

Answer the question.

Takes a position.

Gives topics for

paragraphs.

Thesis Types to Avoid

“Have you ever thought about the Alamo?” (Don’t use a question or the word “you.”)

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” (Take a stand! Choose: best or worst)

“California has many problems such as air pollution in Los Angeles, traffic on I-5, earthquakes in San Francisco, high cost of living in San Jose and the government has a lot of debt.”

(List is too long and too specific – don’t write the whole essay in the thesis.)

-Which Thesis is Best?Question: Who is the most valuable

player in the NBA?Thesis 1: Does Lebron James’s

ability to score makes him the league’s most valuable player?

Thesis 2: Lebron James’s ability to score, pass, and rebound make him the league’s most valuable player.

Thesis 3: Lebron James’s ability to score, pass, and rebound just might make him the league’s most valuable player.

Answer: Question: Who is the most valuable player

in the NBA?Thesis 2: Lebron James’s ability to score, pass, and rebound make him the league’s most valuable player.

Does the thesis--1) Answer the question? Yes, gives a MVP2) Take a position. Yes, James is the MVP3) Mention the topics for your

supporting paragraphs. Yes, score, pass and rebound

Which Thesis is Best?Question: How are deserts of the world the

same and different?Thesis 1: I am going to tell you about the

deserts of the world.Thesis 2: Deserts of the world, including ones in

North and South America, Antarctica, Africa, Australia, and Asia are the same and different.

Thesis 3: Although the deserts of the world have many similarities, they are vastly different in terms of temperature, vegetation, and size.

Question: How are deserts of the world the same and different?Thesis 3: Although the deserts of the world have many similarities, they are vastly different in terms of temperature, vegetation, and size.Does the thesis:

1) Answer the question? Yes, talks about same/ different and deserts2) Take a position. Yes, says they are vastly different3) Mention the topics for your supporting

paragraphs. Yes, similarities and then differences in terms of

temperature, vegetation, size

The Thesis Statement and The Gateway EssayYour Gateway Essay will include a

writing task and three points that you need to be sure to include. The writing task will be the basis for your thesis sentence, and the three points will become the topics for your paragraphs.

Example Writing Task: Discuss why the Nile River Valley was a

suitable location for early civilizations.

Include the following:

The use of the land for planting crops How the early settlers used the Nile for

transportation Importance of the Nile River Valley to the

people of Egypt today

Thesis Statement

The Nile River Valley is a suitable location for civilization because of its land for growing crops, the use of the Nile for transportation, and its importance to the people of Egypt today.

Your Turn

Create a thesis statement for the following Gateway Essay prompt:

  The Silk Road was not a single road, but a vast

network of contact and interaction, both direct and indirect among powerful cultures. Discuss the Silk Road and the trade that took place along it.

Make sure and include:

Items that were traded along the silk road Important cultures that were involved Ideas that were traded along the silk road

Introductory Paragraph The thesis statement is usually the last

sentence of the introductory paragraph.

Think of your introduction as a funnel shape. Begin with a broad introduction to your topic, and provide some background information.

Then narrow your topic in your thesis sentence.

ExampleFor thousands of years, rivers have

been a valuable resource for early civilizations. The Nile River Valley in Egypt provided its early inhabitants with the ability to sustain and develop life. Egyptians then and today still rely on the river for irrigation and trade. The Nile River Valley is a suitable location for civilization because of its land for growing crops, the use of the Nile for transportation, and its importance to the people of Egypt today.