Thesis Statements

What is a Thesis Statement?

It is typically one sentence; however, sometimes you may need more than one sentence.

It states the main idea or argument of your essay.

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).

What does a thesis statement do?

A thesis statement…

provides the point you want to prove.Presents your argument in a concise form.

gives the structure your essay will follow.

can provide the opposite point of view.

Are there different types of thesis statements?

YESOpen vs. Closed

An Open Thesis does not contain the body points.i.e. Everyone should drive a hybrid car.

A Closed Thesis includes the body points.i.e. Everyone should drive a hybrid car because

they pollute less, they get better mileage, and they help reduce gasoline costs.

Your thesis is the foundation of your

essayThe entire essay attempts to prove that your thesis is correct.

Constantly refer back to your thesis to make sure that your essay is staying on track

If you used a Closed Thesis, your body paragraphs should cover one of the points mentioned in your thesis.

Your body paragraphs should go in the same order as the points they cover were mentioned in the thesis.

How do I write a thesis statement?

Formula

Just as E = mc²…

Subject + Opinion = Thesis

Simple or Complex?

A beginning THESIS STATEMENT:

A is B.

A better THESIS STATEMENT:

A is B because of x, y, and z

A more complex THESIS STATEMENT:

Although C is D, A is B because of x, y, and z.

Thesis Formula

Although ,

________ because

_,_____________ and

_______________________.

gasoline-powered cars are popularpeople should drive hybrid cars

they cut down on pollutionthey save you money on gas,

hybrid owners receive special tax breaks

The Formula

_________________________ + __________________________ Subject Opinion

because _____________________________, _____________________________, reason 1 reason 2

_________________________________________ reason 3

Although _________________________________________________, counter argument (opposite of your opinion)

the war on drugs is a travesty of justice

sentencing laws are discriminatory

more prisons than colleges are built

and addition is treated as a crime rather than a disease.

most politicians support ongoing funding for the DEA

Thesis Formula

Although ,

________ because

_____.

many people remain skeptical

the gov’t should fund research on bigfoot

compelling evidence suggests it exists

Simple or Complex?Examples:

BASIC THESIS (just alright!): Community colleges are an important part of California’s educational system.

MORE COMPLEX THESIS (much better!): Community colleges are an important part of California’s educational system because they are a more cost-effective way to attain a degree, classes are smaller, and they prepare students for the demands of University life.

Simple or Complex?Examples:

VERY COMPLEX THESIS (perfect!!): Although many students want to go straight from high school to a four-year university, community colleges are an important part of California’s educational system because they are a more cost-effective way to attain a degree, classes are smaller than at most four-year universities, and they prepare students for the demands of University life.

A Few Examples

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer was written by Mark Twain in 1876.

Some people think that The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is Mark Twain’s best novel.

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is Mark Twain’s best novel.

Although some scholars argue that Huckleberry Finn is Twain’s crowning achievement, the Adventures of Tom Sawyer is Mark Twain’s best novel because of its use of satire, imagery, and symbolism.

WEAK

WEAK

STRONG

STRONGER

Where Does the THESIS STATEMENT Go? Cont…

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.

Try it!

PromptsWhat do you believe are the benefits of daily exercise?

Are online courses better than traditional course? Why or why not?

Do you believe that television has more of a negative or positive impact on society? Why or why not?

What age do you think is more appropriate for someone to be able to get their driver’s license, and why?

What do you think should be the main priorities for California’s budget?

Should marijuana be legalized in CA?

The Five Paragraph Essay

Although dangerous martial arts beneficial because they teach discipline, patience, and character.

The Five Paragraph Essay

In defense of the 5 paragraph essay

Ill Effects of the Five Paragraph theme

The length of your essay—the number of paragraphs, the sentences in each paragraph, etc—depends on the audience.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking that essays should only be five paragraphs long. Even if you list three points in your thesis, you may need 20 paragraphs to explain those three points.

Strategies for Introductions

Controversial statement

Rhetorical Question

Story or anecdote

Startling statistic

Statement of popular opinion that is contradicted or shown to be untrue

Comparison or analogy

Rhetorical Devices: poetic, repetition, anticipation, emphasis

Introductions

Scan some website, news sites, blogs, etc., and look for an article with an engaging introduction.

What makes it engaging? Why do you want to read it?

Individual Work

Exercise:

Try it!

Group Work

Exercise:

Write the first few sentences of an introduction using rhetorical device(s).

Topic: What would you change about Valley College?

Where Does the THESIS STATEMENT Go?

Strategies for Conclusion

Aristotle, in The Rhetoric, tells us a good writer should do this in the conclusion: "make the audience well-disposed towards ourselves and ill-disposed to our opponent."

Go beyond restating and/or summarizing. One way to achieve this is to explain the benefits if the audience accepts our view. It's a good opportunity to make inferences or predictions. Ask the audience to consider what would happen if they don’t accept our point of view. Make a connection to society in general, the bigger picture, the human condition.