Thesis Statement Thesis Statement Workshop Workshop

English I English I

Goals – Why are they Goals – Why are they important?important?

1. Define the various parts to a 1. Define the various parts to a correct thesis statement. correct thesis statement.

2. Develop thesis statements for 2. Develop thesis statements for various types of essays. various types of essays.

3. Utilize main ideas to support a 3. Utilize main ideas to support a thesis statement. thesis statement.

Before we begin . . . Before we begin . . .

Complete the product/service task Complete the product/service task and come up with one sentence to and come up with one sentence to describe your thoughts. describe your thoughts.

You may work with a partner. You may work with a partner.

Thesis Statement - Thesis Statement - DefinitionDefinition

single single declarative sentence that declarative sentence that states what you want your states what you want your readers to know, believe, or readers to know, believe, or understandunderstand

Opinion-based, debatable Opinion-based, debatable

Last sentence of the introductionLast sentence of the introduction

ExampleExample

New Jersey’s new anti-bullying law New Jersey’s new anti-bullying law should be enforced in all schools to should be enforced in all schools to protect the safety and well-being of protect the safety and well-being of students.students.

Why is this an effective thesis? Why is this an effective thesis?

Three Main Parts Three Main Parts

A.A. Set-upSet-up – states the subject – states the subject

B. Position B. Position – states what should – states what should happenhappen

C. Rationale C. Rationale – states WHY– states WHY

Why do we use thesis Why do we use thesis statements? statements?

1.1. Central point of essay Central point of essay

2.2. Focus argument Focus argument

3.3. Connects all ideasConnects all ideas

4.4. Answers the question Answers the question

5.5. Makes the reader understand your Makes the reader understand your POVPOV

TS for Expository Writing TS for Expository Writing

FunctionFunction – explanation; trying to – explanation; trying to prove a point with factsprove a point with facts

Example – Example – The Internet has been the The Internet has been the most useful service of modern society most useful service of modern society since it provides an opportunity for all since it provides an opportunity for all people to communicate and access people to communicate and access information equally. information equally.

TS for Persuasive Writing TS for Persuasive Writing

Function Function – persuasive; trying to – persuasive; trying to change the reader’s mind about a topic change the reader’s mind about a topic

ExampleExample – – High school teenagers High school teenagers should be required to complete should be required to complete community service as a graduation community service as a graduation requirement to expose students to requirement to expose students to social and economic challenges in the social and economic challenges in the world. world.

TS for Narrative TS for Narrative

Function Function – telling a story; making a – telling a story; making a reader understand an important event reader understand an important event

ExampleExample – – The preparation to be in a The preparation to be in a national soccer tournament has national soccer tournament has positively shaped my life in that I can positively shaped my life in that I can apply the persistence, determination apply the persistence, determination and work ethic to succeed in anything I and work ethic to succeed in anything I do. do.

Thesis Statement DO Thesis Statement DO

Always draft a thesis after your pre-Always draft a thesis after your pre-write and feel free to change it as you write and feel free to change it as you write. write.

Always connect every idea to your Always connect every idea to your thesis. thesis.

Always put thesis as the last sentence Always put thesis as the last sentence in your introduction. in your introduction.

Only use “I” for a narrative essay. Only use “I” for a narrative essay.

Thesis Statement DON’T Thesis Statement DON’T

Never use “I think” “I believe” or “In Never use “I think” “I believe” or “In my opinion”. my opinion”.

Never simply list your three main Never simply list your three main reasons in the thesis. reasons in the thesis.

Never ignore a thesis!!! Never ignore a thesis!!!

Supporting a Thesis Supporting a Thesis

After pre-writing and developing After pre-writing and developing a thesis, you must always:a thesis, you must always:

CONSIDER YOUR MAIN POINTS!! CONSIDER YOUR MAIN POINTS!! Make sure each one connects to your Make sure each one connects to your

thesis! thesis!

Example Thesis/Main IdeasExample Thesis/Main Ideas

NJ’s new addition to its anti-bullying law NJ’s new addition to its anti-bullying law allows school officials to discipline students allows school officials to discipline students after only one incident of “HIB”. Many after only one incident of “HIB”. Many people have already begun criticizing NJ’s people have already begun criticizing NJ’s new anti-bullying law claiming that it is too new anti-bullying law claiming that it is too harsh and that “kids will be kids” while harsh and that “kids will be kids” while others are rejoicing in hopes that it will others are rejoicing in hopes that it will quell a hostile school environment. quell a hostile school environment.

Write a thesis stating your position Write a thesis stating your position and defend with three main points. and defend with three main points.

Group ActivityGroup Activity

1.1. Arrange into small groups of 3 or 4 Arrange into small groups of 3 or 4 (people are sitting near) (people are sitting near)

2.2. Examine each prompt on the next Examine each prompt on the next slide. slide.

3.3. Create a thesis and three main Create a thesis and three main points for your group’s assigned points for your group’s assigned topic. topic.

Group Prompt – Thesis & 3 Group Prompt – Thesis & 3 Main Points Main Points

Expository Expository – Explain the advantages of the most useful Explain the advantages of the most useful

invention in modern society. invention in modern society. Persuasive Persuasive

– Should the NJ government ban all filming Should the NJ government ban all filming of television shows that portray NJ of television shows that portray NJ negatively? (i.e. Jersey Shore, negatively? (i.e. Jersey Shore, Jerseylicious, Real Housewives, etc.) Jerseylicious, Real Housewives, etc.)

NarrativeNarrative– Describe how your first day at RV Describe how your first day at RV

impacted you. impacted you.

Review Responses . . . Review Responses . . .

Closing . . . Closing . . . On the front of your notecard, list three On the front of your notecard, list three

traits associated with a thesis statement. traits associated with a thesis statement.

On the back, write a thesis statement for the On the back, write a thesis statement for the following prompt: following prompt:

Your school is considering cutting all art and Your school is considering cutting all art and music electives due to budget restraints. music electives due to budget restraints. However, all students will be required to However, all students will be required to take several courses on money take several courses on money management, life skills and job skills management, life skills and job skills instead. instead.

Argue your viewpoint. Should students Argue your viewpoint. Should students artistic ability suffer due to poor artistic ability suffer due to poor economic conditions? economic conditions?