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Thesis Statements& Topic Sentences
Writer’s Workshop #2
What is a Thesis Statement?
O The thesis is a one-sentence summary of
your argument.
O It should be ARGUABLE (which means
someone could disagree with your thesis!)
O It should clearly address all parts of the
essay prompt.
O You must be able to PROVE your thesis with
support from the text or outside research.
Questions to ask about your thesis:
O Have I said something specific and meaningful?
O Is it specific enough to write about in the required number
of pages? Or would someone have to write a book (or a
set of encyclopedias) to fully support my thesis?
O Have I said something arguable? What’s the point if
everyone will agree with you or if everyone already knows
this?
O Can I support my thesis? Can I think of specific examples
and evidence? Does every point I bring up support my
thesis or do I need to revise my thesis statement?
Thesis Examples: Which is better?Why?
Thesis #1: Thesis #2:
O World War II was a costly war that had a major impact on the economy of the United States
O World War II negatively impacted the economy of the United States and altered the role of the American government and the American people forever.
Good or Bad? Why?
O Rowlandson’s narrative exemplifies early
American literature because of the writing
style, focus and theme.
Good or Bad? Why?
O Written by Jonathan Edwards, “Sinners in
the Hands of an Angry God” exhibited both
the themes and plain style of early American
literature.
Good or Bad? Why?
O Bradstreet’s poetry communicates themes
much different than today.
Good or Bad? Why?
O Through many of Bradstreet’s poems, the
plain writing style of early American
literature and the faithfulness of God are
evidenced through the trials of her life.
Now let’s look at some examples from Extended
Response #1
Consider:
Does this answer the prompt?
Is it arguable?
Good or Bad? Why?
O During her life Anne Bradstreet faced many troubles and dealt with many struggles but was able to keep her faith in God through all of it.
O That woman is Anne Bradstreet, author of “Upon the Burning of Our House, in which her description of the theme of hope lying above resides.
O Despite the materialism that has become so popular in America, the truth that Anne Bradstreet wrote in “…Upon the Burning of Our House” remains, that all hope and treasure should lie in Heaven, not earth.
Good or Bad? Why?
O The lines in the poem that say that are a
true statement and holds truth in the words.
O God is the foundation on which we should
stand, not worldly things.
O Treasures stored on earth will be destroyed
and stolen; therefore, Christians should
stock riches in Heaven, where they will never
diminish.
Topic Sentences
O Must directly support the thesis
O Must be persuasive
O Should not be a question.
O Should not be a direct quote.
O Should not be a statement of fact.