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Writing a Thesis

“Have you something to do tomorrow, do it today.” Ben Franklin

Created by José J. González, Jr. Spring 2002 2

Thesis defined: The thesis sentence tells the reader what the

entire essay is about, a map of your essay.

Created by José J. González, Jr. Spring 2002 3

Thesis facts:

It must be the last sentence of the first paragraph.

It is the most important sentence of your entire essay.

In one sentence you must include your position and reasons.

(But most importantly, it is the first thing that the reader will look for in your essay. If you have a good thesis, you will no doubt make a favorable impression on the reader.)

Created by José J. González, Jr. Spring 2002 4

Let’s look at a thesis sentence:

I strongly believe that smoking should be banned in public places because smoke pollutes the environment, contaminates our lungs, and smells terrible.

Note: Thesis is one sentence composed of two parts.

Created by José J. González, Jr. Spring 2002 5

Unscramble the thesis:

and is used as a form of contraception because abortion is tantamount to murder I strongly believe that abortion should be

banned cheapens life (Learning the right order of the thesis

sentence is important. So try to unscramble this sentence.)

Created by José J. González, Jr. Spring 2002 6

Corrected thesis:

I strongly believe that abortion should be banned because abortion is tantamount to murder, cheapens life, and is used as a form of contraception.

Created by José J. González, Jr. Spring 2002 7

Let’s look at a poor thesis sentences: I believe teenagers should get paid minimum wage

because they do the same amount of work, equal labor rights , and they need the money.

(In this thesis sentence the reasons are not parallel which means that they are not in the same grammatical form. Do your best to improve and then take a look at the improved version on the next slide.)

Created by José J. González, Jr. Spring 2002 8

Improved version:

I believe teenagers should get paid minimum wage because teenage workers do the same amount of work, enjoy equal labor rights, and need the money.

Created by José J. González, Jr. Spring 2002 9

Rewrite this sentence:

I myself say that all citizens at the age of 18 should serve one year in the military because they will learn to work. Also, learn patriotism. Furthermore, they will learn to get along with people.

(One of the things you need to keep in mind is that you need to make the thesis sentence one sentence. Do not break it up in to separate sentences because you will use too many words. In this particular thesis sentence, the second and third “ sentences” are not sentences, but fragments.

Created by José J. González, Jr. Spring 2002 10

Correction:

All citizens of the age of 18 should serve one year in the military because they will learn to work, patriotism, and get along with people.

Created by José J. González, Jr. Spring 2002 11

Complete:

I strongly believe that trash burning fires should be banned

because____,____, and_____.

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Complete:

_________________________________

because handguns dangerous and causing many unnecessary deaths.

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Assignment: Write a thesis sentence to the following topic.

Do you think that all high school students should wear uniforms to school on a daily basis?