THESIS STATEMENTS

The thesis statement declares the main point or controlling idea of your entire essay.

Everything in your essay should support your thesis.

1. A good thesis states the writer's ______________ on some subject.

Poor: Many people have different opinions on whether people under twenty-one should be able to drink alcohol, and I agree with some of them.

Poor: The question of whether we need a national law governing the minimum age to drink alcohol is a controversial issue in many states.

2. A good thesis has something _____________________.

Poor: The four children in my family have completely different personalities. [This may be true, but would anyone but your mom and dad really be fascinated with this topic?]

3. A good thesis is ___________ the assignment

Poor: Black artists have contributed a lot to American culture. ["Black artists," "culture," and "a lot" cover more ground than can be dealt with in one short essay]

Better: Scott Joplin was a major influence in the development of the uniquely American music called ragtime. [specifically defined and narrow]

4. A good thesis is ________________ and is supported by _____________________.

ESSAY MAP… Thesis: The campus bookstore is the

worst place in town to buy textbooks. The unreasonable prices, the lack of qualified employees, and the constant book shortages discourage all but the most loyal customers.

More thesis statements with essay maps: Unreasonable prices, unqualified employees, and

constant shortages make the campus bookstore a terrible place to buy books.

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What a Thesis Isn't

1. _____________ Examples: Title Thesis Statement Homes and Schools Parents ought to participate

more in the education of their children.

A Shattering Experience My fall from the fifth floor of my

glass house was certainly a

shattering experience.

2. ____________________Examples: Announcement Thesis Statement My subject is the Professor X is a dynamic, Incompetence of Professor X. forceful teacher.

I want to share some thoughts Space exploration is a with you about our waste of tax money. space program.

3. _____________________Examples:Fact: Jane Austen is the author of several 19th century novels. The capital of Arkansas is Little Rock. Suicide is the deliberate act of taking one's own life. There are four Ninja Turtles on the Saturday morning

cartoon. Many people have cats as household pets.

TOPIC SENTENCES

WHAT and WHERE It is an opinion statement that is a very

focused and specific complete sentence It is located at the very beginning of each

middle paragraph It directly states a main idea that is a part

of the thesis statement Everything in the paragraph helps

explain/support/prove the topic sentence It is not a title (What football means to me),

or an explanation of the writer's plan (I am going to tell you about the role football played in my education.)

PRACTICE: Exercise 1For each limited topic below, select the two items that could

serve as topic sentences. Limited topic: how to train a cat.

a. This paragraph is about how to train a cat. b. Before a cat learns anything, it first teaches

its owner a lesson in humility. c. Everything you wouldn't have thought to

ask about training a cat. d. Training a cat takes physical stamina. e. Animal training is a complicated subject.

Answers! 1

"HOW TO TRAIN A CAT:“

B: “Before a cat learns anything, it first teaches its owner a lesson in humility.” OR

D: “Training a cat takes physical stamina.”

A: announces the writer's planC: a title and not a complete sentenceE: too general

WHAT ABOUT THIS ONE?: Exercise 2For each limited topic below, select the two items that could serve as topic sentences.

Limited topic: changes in patients as they settle into convalescent (recovery) homes

a. Americans are learning how to grow old gracefully. b. The outside world seems to shrink when seen through

the window of a convalescent home. c. Closing up a home and moving to a small room can

make even an extrovert turn inward. d. It is important to look at the changes in patients'

attitudes as they settle into convalescent homes. e. The increasing delight in daily conversation as patients

become accustomed to life in a convalescent home.

Answers! 2"CHANGES IN PATIENTS:“

B: “The outside world seems to shrink when seen through the window of a convalescent home.” OR

C: “Closing up a home and moving to a small room can make even an extrovert turn inward.”

A: too general, not mentioning convalescent homeD: relies too heavily on the vague word "important" E: not a complete sentence

YOU’RE THE EXPERT NOW!: Exercise 3For each limited topic below, select the two items that could serve as topic sentences.

Limited topic: scuba diving

a. The excitement of scuba diving. b. My childhood fascination with scuba diving. c. It is very interesting to experience scuba

diving. d. The sport of scuba diving has always

excited me. e. Since I was a child, I've been fascinated by

scuba diving.

Answers! 3

"SCUBA DIVING:"

D. “The sport of scuba diving has always excited me.” OR

E. “Since I was a child, I've been fascinated by scuba diving.”

A and B: not complete sentences C. relies on the vague word "interesting”