Thesis StatementThesis StatementThe summary sentence that The summary sentence that

supports your opinions and ideassupports your opinions and ideas

The LAST sentence in the The LAST sentence in the introduction paragraphintroduction paragraph

Why should your essay contain a Why should your essay contain a Thesis Statement? Thesis Statement?

To put your main ideas into one To put your main ideas into one summary sentencesummary sentence

To better organize and develop the To better organize and develop the opinion/argument of your essayopinion/argument of your essay

To provide your reader with a To provide your reader with a “guide” to your argument“guide” to your argument

How to Generate a Thesis How to Generate a Thesis StatementStatement

The Thesis should answer a single The Thesis should answer a single question that will give the main idea question that will give the main idea of your essay. of your essay.

Your first step is to understand the Your first step is to understand the specific question.specific question.

The The answeranswer to the question is the to the question is the thesis statement for the essay.thesis statement for the essay.

ExampleExample

Question: Question: “What are the potential “What are the potential benefits of using computers in an benefits of using computers in an eighth grade class?”eighth grade class?”

Answer/THESIS: Answer/THESIS: “The potential “The potential benefits of using computers in an benefits of using computers in an eighth grade class are …” eighth grade class are …” (2 (2 reasons/ideas)reasons/ideas)

How to Tell a Strong Thesis How to Tell a Strong Thesis Sentence form a Weak OneSentence form a Weak One

A strong thesis takes some sort of A strong thesis takes some sort of stand. (gives your opinion) stand. (gives your opinion)

A strong thesis expresses A strong thesis expresses a main a main ideaidea and is and is specific.specific.

Strong Thesis StatementStrong Thesis Statement

Question: Question: Should middle school’s Should middle school’s serve soda at lunch?serve soda at lunch?

Answer: Answer: Middle School’s should not Middle School’s should not serve soda at lunch because of serve soda at lunch because of soda’s high sugar content which soda’s high sugar content which contributes to poor nutrition, and bad contributes to poor nutrition, and bad behavior in class.behavior in class.

HINTHINT

Many clear and engaging thesis Many clear and engaging thesis statements contain words like statements contain words like “because”, “since”, “so”, “although”, “because”, “since”, “so”, “although”, “unless”, and “however”.“unless”, and “however”.

Forming a Thesis Forming a Thesis

Read the question.Read the question. Figure out your opinion.Figure out your opinion. Brainstorm to find 2 reasons to Brainstorm to find 2 reasons to

support your opinion.support your opinion. Form the thesis statement that Form the thesis statement that

answers your question by restating answers your question by restating the question.the question.

The two reasons should also be The two reasons should also be included in the thesis.included in the thesis.

ExampleExample

Should cell phones be allowed in Should cell phones be allowed in school?school?

On your paper brainstorm 2 reasons On your paper brainstorm 2 reasons why cell phones should or should not why cell phones should or should not be allowed at school.be allowed at school.

Write your thesis statementWrite your thesis statement

Cell phones should be allowed in Cell phones should be allowed in school because REASON 1, REASON school because REASON 1, REASON 2.2.

HomeworkHomework

1.1. Why is a good education crucial for being Why is a good education crucial for being successful in life?successful in life?

2.2. Should schools keep detentions or Should schools keep detentions or eliminate them?eliminate them?

3.3. Should middle schools serve soda to Should middle schools serve soda to students at lunch?students at lunch?

4.4. Should teachers on Team 802 give Should teachers on Team 802 give homework?homework?

5.5. Should schools change to year round Should schools change to year round school?school?