THESIS STATEMENTS

THE FOUNDATION TO A WELL BUILT PAPER.

What is a thesis statement?

A thesis statement is the foundation of a well constructed essay. It tells the reader what the essay is about and how the writer feels about that topic.

TOPIC + OPINION =

THESIS STATEMENT

WILL IT BLOW DOWN?

An essay with a weak thesis statement is like a house built out of straw – both will collapse easily.

PROMPT: Describe the best material from which to build a house.

Examples:

Straw is a good building material.

topicopinion

Problem:

The example above is true to the definition of a thesis statement, but it is boring. It is a BASIC statement. It doesn’t elaborate, hook the reader, or explain itself.

Quiz time:

Which of the following is a BASIC thesis statement?› A) Darth Vadar is the best bad guy.› B) Star Wars was first released in 1977.› C) Darth Vadar is Luke Skywalker’s father.› D) Star Wars is the ultimate adventure

movie packed with action, romance, and unforeseen twists.

Quiz time:

Which of the following is a BASIC thesis statement?› A) Liberty Hill Junior High outshines all

other schools with its high expectations, strong academics, and outstanding athletic programs.

› B) Liberty Hill Junior High is the best.› C) Liberty Hill Junior High is located in

Liberty Hill, Texas.› D) School is school where ever you go.

Building time: Create three BASIC thesis statements

in response to the following prompts:

› 1) What is your all-time favorite movie?

› 2) What is the most dangerous sport?

› 3) Which superhero would make the best school principal?

CONSULTATION TIME

Stand silently beside your desk. Without talking, find a partner with the

same size feet.

Share your answers.

Sit in the nearest desk with the partner with whom you were just speaking.

WAIT FOR THE MUSIC TO STOP.

STRONGER?

A SATISFACTORY thesis statement is strong enough to survive a gust of wind, but will not stand up during a storm.

It provides more information than a basic statement, but it still leaves the reader with questions.

PROMPT: Describe the best material from which to build a house.

Examples:

Sticks are a better construction

material than straw because they can

withstand wind.

TOPIC + OPINION + REASON

=

SATISFACTORY THESIS STATEMENT

Quiz time:

Which of the following is a SATISFACTORY thesis statement?› A) Monopoly should be a UIL event.› B) All students are required to chew gum

between the hours of 11:00 am and 12:00pm.

› C) Sticking your tongue out is an excellent test taking strategy since it increases blood flow to the brain.

› D) Strawberry ice cream is the best.

Quiz time:

Which of the following is a SATISFACTORY thesis statement?› A) Many people don’t believe aliens exist.› B) Circumnavigating the globe in a UFO is the

ultimate thing to do on a Sunday afternoon.› C) Wiggling his fingers in his ears, Sammy

showed the crowd that he could talk to Martians.

› D) Martians are much friendlier than the people from Venus because they are willing to share their technology.

Building time: Create three SATISFACTORY thesis

statements in response to the following prompts:

› 1) Who is your favorite cartoon character?

› 2) What is the most boring activity in the world?

› 3) With which superhero would you most like to sit next to at dinner?

CONSULTATION TIME

Stand silently beside your desk. Without talking, find a partner with the

same size hands.

Share your answers.

Sit in the nearest desk with the partner with whom you were just speaking.

WAIT FOR THE MUSIC TO STOP.

Well constructed:An EXCEPTIONAL thesis statement will identify a topic, provide an opinion AND explain the point of view through examples. It will with stand high winds and tough questioning.

PROMPT: Describe the best material from which to build a house.

Example:

Bricks are the ultimate construction

material because they can withstand wind,

are impervious to rain, and will last forever.

TOPIC + OPINION + 3 REASONS

=

EXCEPTIONAL THESIS STATEMENT

Quiz time:

Which of the following is an EXCEPTIONAL thesis statement?› A) Fried worms are the most delicious

breakfast food; they are full of flavor, bursting with vitamins, and chewy beyond belief.

› B) Bubble and squeak is a traditional English breakfast dish.

› C) Scrambled eyeballs are very nutritional.› D) Breakfast is the most important meal of

the day because it gives you energy.

Quiz time:

Which of the following is an EXCEPTIONAL thesis statement?› A) Chocolate is its own food group.› B) When tomatoes were first brought to the

Americas, people believed they were poisonous.› C) All children should be allowed to eat as much

candy as they like since it stimulates the brain.› D) Lollipops are more valuable than diamonds

because they are easy to find, are available in many different colors, and are delicious to eat.

Building time: Create three EXCEPTIONAL thesis

statements in response to the following prompts:

› 1) Describe what change could make school less boring?

› 2) Identify and explain why ice fishing is / is not the ideal pastime?

› 3) Which alien, a smoogle, a croogle, or a doogle would make the best pet?

CONSULTATION TIME Stand silently beside your desk. Without talking, find a partner with the

color shirt as you.

Share your answers.

Sit in the nearest desk with the partner with whom you were just speaking.

WAIT FOR THE MUSIC TO STOP.