Keys to creating a successful thesis statement

A thesis statement is a one-sentence summarization of the argument or analysis that is to follow in your paper.

Think of the thesis as the answer to the questions your paper explores.

What his/her childhood like? What background information can you find out about your person.

What obstacles did your person have to go through? How did they overcome those obstacles?

What impact did he/she leave on this generation or future generations?

It is one sentence.

It states the main idea or argument of your essay.

It is typically placed at the end of the introduction paragraph.

It lets your reader know what to expect.

It is the basis for your entire essay.

It is the most important part of your essay.

It is awesome (kinda).

1. The topic/subject.2. Your opinion or research you’ve gathered on

you the topic.

Quick Activity: Pick a subject that you feel you can support or disprove and try to think of three things you feel support your idea.

For example: John H. Walker Middle School is a great college because of their experienced teachers, skilled tutoring offices, and welcoming academic environment.

Subject + Opinion = Thesis

{Based on your research}

PERSUASIVE ESSAY Introduction Paragraph:1.Hook2.State situation or controversy3.Thesis statement (opinion + 3 reasons)

The first sentence of your introductory paragraph should contain an attention getter [HOOK}, which is a sentence that attracts your reader’s attention makes them want to read further.

The introduction paragraph of an essay provides the reader with a general survey of information of the subject being discussed.

Once all necessary and relevant background knowledge is stated, it is typically then that a thesis statement can be declared in the last sentence of the introduction paragraph.

A thesis statement will test your ideas by condensing them into a sentence.

A thesis statement will better organize and develop your argument or the purpose for your paper.

A thesis statement will provide your reader with a “guide” to your argument or the purpose of your paper.

Source: http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/thesis_statement.shtml

Topic: Conduct research on an individual that you select.

Question: What was his/her childhood like? What

were the obstacles he/she had to overcome? What impact did he/she leave on this generation?

Thesis: Rosa Parks endured a fearful childhood and several obstacles as an African American woman living in the 1960’s she still found strength to take a stand against society’s unfair treatment and win the heart of all future generations.

A strong thesis statement takes some sort of stand based on your research. Remember that your thesis needs to show your conclusions about a subject.

For example, if you are writing a research paper about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. the focus of your thesis should not be solely on his “I have a Dream” speech. There is more to him than that, and there are more requirements to the assignment.

Look at this sample thesis statement:Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave a speech in the 1960s

that everyone in this generation remembers. This is a weak thesis statement. First, it fails to take a stand. Second, it

does not address all the requirements of the assignment: childhood/background information, obstacles, and impact he/she left on this society.

Now look at this sample thesis statement:Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spent most of his life

peacefully fighting against segregation in the south, and even though several obstacles emerged that tried to deter (distract)him from his goal, he remained focus leaving behind a legacy that all generations will remember. This is a strong thesis because it takes a stand and it focuses on specific

sub topics covered without being too specific.

Your thesis statement should not be too detailed on your facts.

Strong or Weak?:

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, and lead the 1955 Montgomery Boycott which left a legacy on our generation.

What is this thesis statement missing?

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, and wrote a speech, “I Have a Dream,” that still impacts us today.

Why is this a weak thesis statement?

For this research project, your thesis should tell us what you learned about each sub topic, but it SHOULD NOT be too specific. DO:

Use words from your sub-topics like: “obstacles,” “legacy,” “impact” “childhood” etc.

Important ideas that your person gave their generation like: “hope” “courage” “peace” “hard work” “determination” or “persistence,” “fearless” or “brave”

DO NOT: Mention specifics because you will save that for your

body paragraphs.

Now it is your turn to apply what you have learned today about writing thesis statements to your upcoming work on your research paper.

If you have any questions or need any help developing a thesis statement for your topic, please make arrangements to meet with me AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

List the three main points you want to make about your character from each sub-topic. (These can be

phrases they don’t have to be complete sentences.)

CHILDHOOD/BACKGROUND INFORMATION:_________________________________________________________

________________________________________________

OBSTACLES HE/SHE HAD TO OVERCOME:_________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________

IMPACT HE/SHE HAD ON FUTURE GENERATIONS:_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Write it again to make it better:________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________