Warm-up 9/6

Because of my ______________ to the gym, I was able to keep a steady workout regiment.After the lesson was done, several students ______________ their ideas about religion into the essay causing their work to be inaccurate.The ___________ cost of the victory of king Pyrrhus over the Romans is known today as “Pyrric Victory.”Bryan couldn’t help but to ____________ his suggestions after hearing two girls in the hallway talking about how they were going to cheat on a test.When reading Shakespeare, one may have to use the “No Fear Shakespeare” series because all his plays are ___________.I can’t believe my mother’s ___________ nature, she always seems to overtake the conversations.I must ___________ to your demands or I will fail.

obtrusive

acquiesce

propinquity

internecine

abstruse

interpose

interpolated

1. obtruse 2. internecine 3. propinquity 4. acquiesce 5. interpose 6. interpolate 7. abstruse

The Thesis StatementThe Thesis Statement

© 2001 by Ruth Luman

A Road Map for Your EssayA Road Map for Your Essay

References

ESSAYIntroductionThesis StatementBody Paragraph #1Body Paragraph #2Body Paragraph #3

DefinitionDefinition

Thesis Statement

A thesis statement is a complete sentencethat contains one main idea. This idea

controlsthe content of the entire essay. A thesisstatement that contains subpoints also helps areader know how the essay will be organized.

Thesis StatementThesis Statement

The thesis statement contains the main idea that controls the content of the essay.

Subpoints in the thesis or nearby help the reader know how the essay will be organized

Psychologists have argued for decades about how a person’s character is formed. Numerous psychologists believe that one’s birth order (i.e. place in the family as the youngest, oldest, or middle child) has the greatest influence. Birth order can have a significant impact in the formation of a child’s character which strongly affect one’s relationship with parents, relationships with others, and how one views responsibility as an adult.

Key FeaturesKey FeaturesThesis Statement

states the main idea of the essay in a complete sentence, not in a question.

states an opinion or attitude on a topic. It doesn’t just state the topic, itself.

is usually at the end of an introduction.

often lists subtopics.

Key FeaturesKey FeaturesMain Idea in a Complete Sentence

Since the thesis statement is the mainstatement for the entire essay, it should expressa complete thought and be a complete sentence.The thesis statement is asserting an opinion oridea, so it should not be a question. It should be

an arguable point.

Creating and ArgumentCreating and Argument(Statement v. Thesis)(Statement v. Thesis)

The problem of pollution in big cities.

Why should marijuana be legalized?

This is not a complete sentence.

The problem of pollution in major cities can bealleviated by limiting the number of cars allowed todrive on city streets and creating more efficient publictransportation systems.

Marijuana should be legalized because it is not anymore addictive than tobacco and it can providenumerous medicinal benefits for those suffering fromterminal illnesses.

This is a question, not a statement.

Thesis Statement

Thesis Statement

Thesis statement for Literary Analysis

“Meg Meeker seems in her novel Rainbow Party to be obsessed with lipstick."

“Meg Meeker uses lipstick to point to her novel's larger theme: the masking and unmasking of the self."

LocationLocationAt the end of the introduction

Maya Angelou is an accomplished African-American author in the United States. While growing up, she suffered tremendous hardship. Some of her most difficult life events are portrayed in novels and poems such as, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, and, Still I Rise. Her written works often include strong themes such as perseverance through trials, love for family, and passionate optimism.

The thesis statement comes at the end of the introductory paragraph. This sentence tells the reader that he/she can expect to read more about how Maya Angelou expresses these themes in her writing.

Thesis

state

ment

in a

lite

rary

analysi

s.

You can make your thesis statement morespecific by including subtopics or supportingideas. By doing this, you give your reader aclear idea of what will follow in the bodyparagraphs of your essay.

Key FeaturesKey FeaturesSubtopics

Key FeaturesKey FeaturesSubtopics

The large influx of people to California has had major effects on the state.

No subtopics are named in this thesis statement.

The large influx of people to California has had major effects on the ability of the state to provide housing, electricity, and jobs for all residents.

This statement names three subtopics. Can you find all of the subtopics?

subtopic #1

subtopic #2

subtopic #3

SubtopicsSubtopicsAnother Example

Inner-city public schools grapple with some serious problems.

No subtopics are named in this thesis statement.

The government needs to provide additional funds towards inner-city public schools rather than decrease public education funding because of the issues with overcrowded classrooms, the low percentage of trained teachers, and the lack of resources such as textbooks for students.

This statement names three subtopics. Can you find all of the subtopics?

subtopic #1 subtopic #2

subtopic #3

In thesis statements, you should avoid usingstatements like, “This essay will discuss…” or“I’m going to write about…”. Try to write athesis statement that captures your reader’sattention without announcing your main topicand stating the obvious.

Don’t use…. I or You in your thesis or paperA question A statement of fact

Key FeaturesKey FeaturesDon’t State the Obvious

Key FeaturesKey FeaturesDon’t State the Obvious

In this essay, I am going to discuss the effects of long-term drug abuse.

Long-term drug use can have disastrous effects on one’s marriage, career, and health.

Review (Narrowing topic and thesis)

Sugar consumption

Reducing sugar consumption by elementary school children.

More attention should be paid to the food and beverage choices available to elementary school children.

Experts estimate that half of elementary school children consume nine times the recommended daily allowance of sugar.

Because half of all American elementary school children consume nine times the recommended daily allowance of sugar, schools should be required to replace the beverages in soda machines with healthy alternatives

• a good thesis statement should justify discussion - don't leave your readers saying to themselves "So what" or "duh?" or "like what's your point?“

• a good thesis statement should express one main idea or a clear relationship between two specific ideas linked by words like "because," "since," "so," "although," "unless," or "however.“

• A good thesis statement should be restricted to a specific and manageable topic - readers are more likely to reward a paper that does a small task well than a paper that takes on an unrealistic task and fails

REMEMBER…

Let’s Test Out Our Knowledge Quiz

Key FeaturesKey FeaturesReview

states the main idea of the essay in a complete sentence, not in a question.

states an opinion or attitude on a topic. It doesn’t just state the topic, itself.

is usually at the end of an introduction.

often lists subtopics.

does not directly announce your main topic.

Practice ExercisesPractice Exercises

Now, you are ready to practice what you’ve learned. Click onthe button below to go back to Unit B. Complete theInteractive Review and Exercise 1.