Generating Strong Thesis StatementsEmbedded Assessment Two

What is a Thesis Statement? Most important sentence in your essay (or at least one of)

The single sentence that formulates, states, and/or sums up the topic of your essay and your approach to the topic

Lets readers know your purpose

Answers: What am I trying to prove through the research / points in my paper?

Characteristics of a Strong Thesis A strong thesis statement takes some sort of stand

A thesis must show your conclusions about a topic

Strong thesis statement justifies discussion

Your thesis should indicate the point of the discussion (Quoted Source: Writing Tutorial Services, Indiana University)

Thesis Statements Should… Be provable

Thesis statements should not contain pre-established facts

Thesis statements should present information and your “take” or approach on the information

Even though you don’t say, “I believe” or “I think”, your thesis is your opinion based on the research and conclusions you’ve made as you’ve prepared for your paper

Take your essay’s purpose and audience into account

Use Active Verbs

Accentuates Affirms Analyzes Attempts Attributes

Bestows

Broadens Clarifies Compares Concludes Confirms

Connotes

Contrasts Contributes Conveys Creates Defends

Demonstrates

Denotes Depicts Describes Directs Discloses

Displays

Distinguishes Documents Dramatizes Elucidates Enlightens

Entertains

Epitomizes Establishes Evinces Exemplifies Exhibits

Exposes

Expresses Foreshadows Guides Heightens Illuminates

Illustrates

Implies Includes Infers Informs Intends

Juxtaposes

Manifests Necessitates Opposes Portrays Predicts

Professes

Provides Reflects Reinforces Renders Reveals Signals

Signifies Specifies Suggests Uncovers Unmasks Verifies

Formula for Creating a Strong ThesisSpecific Topic + Active Verb + Point You Are Proving (Your Approach) = Strong Thesis Statement

For a Reflective Essay

A thesis statement of a reflective essay is the projection of the knowledge on the issue and the author’s personal life experience.

Event/Topic Of Focus + Active Verb+ Event’s Impact On You= Strong Thesis Statement

Create Your Own Brainstorm potential ideas for your final essay

Practice creating strong thesis statements for those events

Save these, you can use them for your final

Hint: The more you work now, the less you have to write for the final