The Thesis StatementThe Thesis Statement

Writing and Reading CenterWriting and Reading Center

Moreno Valley CampusMoreno Valley Campus

What is a thesis statement?What is a thesis statement?

� It is an arguable statement. It is an arguable statement.

� It is a complete sentence that expresses your It is a complete sentence that expresses your position/opinion on a given topic.position/opinion on a given topic.

� It narrows down your topic to a specific, It narrows down your topic to a specific, single focus of investigation.single focus of investigation.

� It establishes a direction for the entire paper.It establishes a direction for the entire paper.

� It is usually stated in your introduction.It is usually stated in your introduction.

What is What is notnot a thesis statement? a thesis statement?

� A thesis is A thesis is nevernever a question; it could be the answer to a question; it could be the answer to a question.a question.

� A thesis is A thesis is notnot an announcement of purpose. an announcement of purpose.

� A thesis is A thesis is notnot simply a topic. simply a topic.

� A thesis is A thesis is notnot a fact. a fact.

Writing a ThesisWriting a Thesis

A thesis has two partsA thesis has two parts Topic: the main subject to be discussed in the essayTopic: the main subject to be discussed in the essay

Opinion: what the writer thinks about the main subject to Opinion: what the writer thinks about the main subject to be discussed (the topic)be discussed (the topic)

TopicTopic: Community College Students: Community College Students

OpinionOpinion: Work diligently to pass class, to transfer to : Work diligently to pass class, to transfer to universities, and to earn four-year degrees. universities, and to earn four-year degrees.

ThesisThesis: Community college students work diligently to pass : Community college students work diligently to pass class, to transfer to universities, and to earn four-year class, to transfer to universities, and to earn four-year degrees. degrees.

Determine whether the following is a Determine whether the following is a goodgood or or poorpoor thesis statement thesis statement

What causes violence in children?What causes violence in children?

Poor

A thesis statement is not a question!

Determine whether the following is a Determine whether the following is a goodgood or or poorpoor thesis statement thesis statement

The purpose of my paper is to The purpose of my paper is to identify the causes of violence.identify the causes of violence.

Poor

A thesis is not an announcement of purpose!

Determine whether the following is a Determine whether the following is a goodgood or or poorpoor thesis statement thesis statement

The education system in the United The education system in the United States.States.

Poor

A thesis statement is not just a topic!

Determine whether the following is a Determine whether the following is a goodgood or or poorpoor thesis statement thesis statement

Teen pregnancy can be reduced with good Teen pregnancy can be reduced with good education, parental support, and birth control.education, parental support, and birth control.

Yes, a thesis statement reflects a position!

Determine whether the following is a Determine whether the following is a goodgood or or poorpoor thesis statement thesis statement

I would like to discuss how teachers and I would like to discuss how teachers and students can develop better relationships.students can develop better relationships.

Poor

A thesis is not an announcement of purpose!

Determine whether the following is a Determine whether the following is a goodgood or or poorpoor thesis statement thesis statement

I had squash, tomatoes, and corn in I had squash, tomatoes, and corn in my garden last year. my garden last year.

Poor

A thesis statement is not too narrow!

Determine whether the following is a Determine whether the following is a goodgood or or poorpoor thesis statement thesis statement

Vegetable gardening can be a frustrating hobby. Vegetable gardening can be a frustrating hobby.

Yes, a thesis statement reflects a position!

Determine whether the following is a Determine whether the following is a goodgood or or poorpoor thesis statement thesis statement

Honesty and trust in the classroom.Honesty and trust in the classroom.

Poor

A thesis statement is not just a topic!

Determine whether the following is a Determine whether the following is a goodgood or or poorpoor thesis statement thesis statement

Honesty and trust play an important role in Honesty and trust play an important role in successful teacher-student relationships.successful teacher-student relationships.

Yes, a thesis statement reflects a position!

Determine whether the following is a Determine whether the following is a goodgood or or poorpoor thesis statement thesis statement

Advertising has bad effects on all of society. Advertising has bad effects on all of society.

Poor

A thesis statement is not too broad!

Determine whether the following is a Determine whether the following is a goodgood or or poorpoor thesis statement thesis statement

What can be done to reduce violence in What can be done to reduce violence in schools? Who is to blame-- the parents, schools? Who is to blame-- the parents, the schools, or society in general?the schools, or society in general?

Poor

A thesis statement is not a question!

Determine whether the following is a Determine whether the following is a goodgood or or poorpoor thesis statement thesis statement

Toy ads on television teach children to be Toy ads on television teach children to be greedy, competitive, and snobbish. greedy, competitive, and snobbish.

Yes, a thesis statement reflects a position!

Writing Reading Center: HUM 232Writing Reading Center: HUM 232Meet with an Instructor on DutyMeet with an Instructor on Duty

Meet with a tutorMeet with a tutor

Talk with your instructorTalk with your instructor

Organize a study groupOrganize a study group

Where can you go for additional help Where can you go for additional help with writing assignments?with writing assignments?