Thesis Statements

Thesis StatementsThesis Statements

What is a thesis statement?What is a thesis statement?

A thesis statement is the A thesis statement is the main ideamain idea of an of an essay. essay.

It is often a point you want to argue or It is often a point you want to argue or support in an essay.support in an essay.

SOSOThe thesis statement explains to a reader The thesis statement explains to a reader the main idea of the essay, and the the main idea of the essay, and the writer’s opinion about that idea.writer’s opinion about that idea.

A thesis statement is usually one A thesis statement is usually one sentence.sentence.

It is often placed in the introductory It is often placed in the introductory paragraph of an essay.paragraph of an essay.

A thesis statement is a claim that A thesis statement is a claim that can be argued.can be argued.

The essay will contain evidence and The essay will contain evidence and opinions that support the argument.opinions that support the argument.

Thesis statements avoid the Thesis statements avoid the following:following:

the first person (I believe, In my opinion, the first person (I believe, In my opinion, etc.)etc.)

unclear language (It seems, etc.)unclear language (It seems, etc.)

attempting two topics at once, even if they attempting two topics at once, even if they seem related. seem related. – Pick one and stick with it.Pick one and stick with it.

just stating a fact . A thesis is something just stating a fact . A thesis is something you plan to make an argument about. you plan to make an argument about.

A thesis statement shouldA thesis statement should

contain a contain a topictopic (main idea of (main idea of what you are writing about)what you are writing about)

contain an contain an opinionopinion about the about the topic (what your attitude is topic (what your attitude is toward the topic)toward the topic)

A thesis statement should not be A thesis statement should not be too broad.too broad.

• Too BroadToo Broad• The world is a magnificent place to live.The world is a magnificent place to live.

• BetterBetter• Good teachers make Highlands Middle Good teachers make Highlands Middle

School a fantastic school. School a fantastic school.

Which sentence is too broad to be Which sentence is too broad to be a good thesis statement?a good thesis statement?

A.A. One reason to live in White One reason to live in White Plains is because it is very close Plains is because it is very close to New York City. to New York City.

B.B. Mountain City is a great place to Mountain City is a great place to live.live.

Too BoardToo Board

• White Plains is a great place to White Plains is a great place to live.live.

A thesis statement should not be A thesis statement should not be too wordy.too wordy.

WordyWordy• Some problems with Highlands Middle School Some problems with Highlands Middle School

are that it needs a larger playground, an air are that it needs a larger playground, an air conditioned gym,, restrooms connected to each conditioned gym,, restrooms connected to each classroom, running water in the classrooms, and classroom, running water in the classrooms, and a number of other physical changes to the a number of other physical changes to the building.building.

BetterBetter• Highlands Middle School needs several changes Highlands Middle School needs several changes

to its facility to make it a better school. to its facility to make it a better school.

Which sentence is too wordy to be Which sentence is too wordy to be a good thesis statement?a good thesis statement?

A.A. Abe Lincoln was one of the best Abe Lincoln was one of the best presidents the United States has ever presidents the United States has ever known.known.

B.B. Abe Lincoln was an excellent speaker, the Abe Lincoln was an excellent speaker, the 1616thth President of the United States, a President of the United States, a liberator of slaves, and united the North liberator of slaves, and united the North and South at the end of the American Civil and South at the end of the American Civil War. War.

Too WordyToo Wordy

• Abe Lincoln was an excellent speaker, the Abe Lincoln was an excellent speaker, the 1616thth President of the United States, a President of the United States, a liberator of slaves, and united the North liberator of slaves, and united the North and South at the end of the American Civil and South at the end of the American Civil War. War.

A thesis statement should not be A thesis statement should not be too general.too general.

• Too generalToo general• Highlands Middle School is a good school. Highlands Middle School is a good school.

• BetterBetter• Daily writing practice has led to improved Daily writing practice has led to improved

writing skills for the students at Highlands writing skills for the students at Highlands Middle School. Middle School.

Which sentence is too general to Which sentence is too general to be a good thesis statement?be a good thesis statement?

A.A. Music makes people happy. Music makes people happy.

B.B. Music therapy is useful in Music therapy is useful in relieving stress and other relieving stress and other conditions.conditions.

Too generalToo general

• Music makes people happy.Music makes people happy.

A thesis statement should not be a A thesis statement should not be a title.title.

• A titleA title• Cost of Living Cost of Living

• BetterBetter• The cost of living in White Plains is higher The cost of living in White Plains is higher

than in many other cities in the United States. than in many other cities in the United States.

Which sentence would not be a Which sentence would not be a good thesis statement because it is good thesis statement because it is

a title?a title?

A.A. Good teaching has led to an Good teaching has led to an increase in ELA scores at increase in ELA scores at Highlands Middle School. Highlands Middle School.

B.B. Rising ELA Scores at Highlands Rising ELA Scores at Highlands Middle School. Middle School.

A TitleA Title

• Rising ELA Scores at Highlands Rising ELA Scores at Highlands Middle School Middle School

A thesis statement should not be a A thesis statement should not be a a fact.a fact.

• A fact A fact • The average temperature for White Plains in The average temperature for White Plains in

winter is in the 20’s and in summer is in the winter is in the 20’s and in summer is in the 80’s. 80’s.

• BetterBetter• The climate in White Plains is ideal for The climate in White Plains is ideal for

outdoor sports almost all year round. outdoor sports almost all year round.

Which sentence would not be a Which sentence would not be a good thesis statement because it is good thesis statement because it is

a fact?a fact?

A.A. The recycling of one aluminum The recycling of one aluminum can saves enough energy to run can saves enough energy to run a TV for three hours. a TV for three hours.

B.B. Recycling is one of the most Recycling is one of the most important jobs a person can do to important jobs a person can do to protect our environment.protect our environment.

A FactA Fact

• The recycling of one aluminum The recycling of one aluminum can saves enough energy to run can saves enough energy to run a TV for three hours. a TV for three hours.

More PracticeMore Practice

Directions: Directions: 1) Find the opinion words in the statement. If there 1) Find the opinion words in the statement. If there are no opinion words, it is not a thesis statement. are no opinion words, it is not a thesis statement. 2) Tell if the statement is a good thesis statement.2) Tell if the statement is a good thesis statement.

• Although most people believe Although most people believe otherwise, bats are harmless and otherwise, bats are harmless and highly beneficial.highly beneficial.


• In this essay I will discuss the In this essay I will discuss the crime rate in Mountain City.crime rate in Mountain City.


• Energetic exercise is a good way Energetic exercise is a good way to help relieve stress.to help relieve stress.


• Highlands Middle School and Highlands Middle School and Eastview Middle School differ in Eastview Middle School differ in many ways.many ways.


• This paper will consider the This paper will consider the advantages and disadvantages of advantages and disadvantages of students having nightly students having nightly homework.homework.


• Hate speech should be eliminated Hate speech should be eliminated for many reasons.for many reasons.

Take out a piece of notebook paper Take out a piece of notebook paper and number from 1 to 10.and number from 1 to 10.

In each of the following slides tell In each of the following slides tell whether the sentence is a good or whether the sentence is a good or

bad thesis statement.bad thesis statement.

Good or BadGood or Bad

1.1. Many people do not like to watch Many people do not like to watch violent horror movies. violent horror movies.

2.2. Today’s movies do not have the Today’s movies do not have the emotional impact of the classic emotional impact of the classic horror movies of the 1940’s. horror movies of the 1940’s.


3.3. Rap music is the best music Rap music is the best music ever. ever.

4.4. Although many people find Although many people find rap music offensive, it has rap music offensive, it has had a positive impact on had a positive impact on today’s youth.today’s youth.


5.5. I enjoy white water rafting.I enjoy white water rafting.

6.6. The first white water rafting The first white water rafting trip can challenge a person trip can challenge a person both in body and spirit.both in body and spirit.


7.7. Sixth grade students are Sixth grade students are busy.busy.

8.8. The life of a typical sixth The life of a typical sixth grade student is challenging grade student is challenging due to the need to succeed in due to the need to succeed in extracurricular activities.extracurricular activities.


9.9. Community service projects include Community service projects include building shelter for the homeless, building shelter for the homeless, servicing meals to the hungry, servicing meals to the hungry, providing transportation for the sick, providing transportation for the sick, distributing clothes, and a large distributing clothes, and a large number of other helpful activities.number of other helpful activities.

10.10.Students should help others who are Students should help others who are less fortunate. less fortunate.

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Thesis Statements