Thesis Statements

Argumentative or Problem/Sol paper

A problem-solution paper makes a claim about a topic and justifies this claim with a specific solution. The claim could be an opinion, a policy proposal, an evaluation, a cause-and-effect statement, or an interpretation. The goal of the argumentative paper is to convince the audience that the claim is true based on the evidence provided.

Expository

Explains a difficult concept or topic. It is factual and not biased.

Advancements in Robot technology in the past fifty years alone has changed the face of technology in the automotive, government, and military industries.

Though many historians focus on the negative aspects of World War II, it was beneficial to the U.S. by providing jobs, saving the country from the Depression and developing the U.S. as a super power.

Argumentative

Same as Problem-Solution except you simple support/defend one side of an issue.

The death penalty should be banned via Supreme Court ruling because it is unconstitutional, morally wrong, and is economically draining on the economy.

Be specific!

Your thesis statement should be specific—it should cover only what you will discuss in your paper and should be supported with specific evidence.

Lists are ok with me, but being INSIGHTFUL is most important

Where does it go?

The thesis statement appears at the end of the first paragraph of a research paper.

Single-sex classroom settings throughout Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools would be beneficial because of the division of multiple learning styles, the decrease in social pressure, and the variation in male and female physiology.

(Solution is good because of A, B, C)

This is a problem because…

Due to the confederate flag being a racist symbol, a clear violation of church vs. state, and it’s clear support of slavery, it should be banned from all public places.

Because it’s A, B, C, here’s a solution.If just argumentative: The Confederate

flag is a racist symbol, a clear violation of church vs. state, and a support of slavery.

Be consistent!

Your topic may change as you write, so you may need to revise your thesis statement to reflect exactly what you have discussed in the paper.

Example:

“Due to fewer and fewer community volunteers every year, high school graduates should be required to take a year off to pursue community service projects before entering college.”

The paper that follows should:present an argument and give evidence to

support the claim that students should pursue community projects before entering college

Don’t go off topic…

If you’re talking about “steroids in high school students” in your thesis, I expect you are focusing on JUST high school students. If you start talking about college students, you aren’t staying consistent. Either:A: Change you thesis to reflect your researchB: Change your research to reflect you thesis.

Which is easier?

Write your thesis..

Put your name at the top. Write your thesis. Pass your papers to the next person. Look at the thesis – do you see any issues? Is

it too long/short? Does it include a clear problem and a clear solution?

If Yes, sign you name. If not – give a suggestion on how to change it.

Remember though

Paper needs to be THIRD person, so tell me who “we” means in your thesis:

Americans, society, parents, etc.