THESIS STATEMENT BASICSWhat is a thesis statement? What is it not?

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF A THESIS STATEMENT? Informs the reader of the content, argument, and direction

of the paper. You almost always need one in some form:

Stated Door mice, watered-down wine, bread, olive oil, and figs were all

staples of an ancient Roman’s diet. A senator might dine on a honeyed door mouse, while a butcher might eat porridge every night. Depending on whether a Roman was a member of the “patrician” class or part of the common citizenry called the “plebs,” what he ate was connected, in large part, to his status in society. [Stated thesis]

Implied The door mouse silently creeps behind the leg of the chair, searching

for crumbs, his tiny gray paws scampering across the stone floor of the atrium. Little does he know that behind the potted palm, a trap awaits. Once caught, he will be boiled, dipped in honey, and served as a delicacy to a noble woman. This is 49 BC, Julius Caesar’s Rome, and here a person’s status determines his diet. [Implied thesis]

Usually the last sentence of the introduction

WHAT IS A THESIS STATEMENT?

A declarative sentence Not a command (this is different from a call to action)

Change your mind.

Not a title or a fragment Second-hand smoking (title or fragment) Because second-hand smoke can be harmful to

people, smoking bans in Ohio should be upheld.

Not a question Should we uphold the Ohio smoking bans?

A THESIS STATEMENT IS AN ARGUABLE IDEA

They are not facts that cannot be disputed or opinions about personal taste: Cortez conquered Mexico in 1509. Sushi is better than pizza. The color blue is much nicer than green. Dogs are better pets than cats. Chocolate is a good treat. William the Conqueror unified England in 1066. Kent State University is a much better college

than the University of Akron. Steve Jobs was one of the founders of Apple

Computers.

THESIS STATEMENTS ARE NOT OBVIOUS

People should not drink and drive. Smoking is bad for a person’s health. Litter creates pollution of the environment. We should help to protect the environment. Fire is bad and should not be played with. Children should not date at the age of eight. Sun exposure can cause cancer. People shouldn’t do drugs because they’re

bad for them. Eating too much red meat can raise a

person’s cholesterol.

THESIS STATEMENTS ARE NOT ANNOUNCEMENTS OF THE AUTHOR’S PURPOSE

In this paper, I will explain ... The following paragraphs will describe ... This essay will explain ...

Also NEVER end an essay with ... In conclusion ... This essay explained ... The previous sentences described ...

THESIS STATEMENTS ARE NOT BROAD GENERALIZATIONS

• Immigrants should be sent back to where they came from because they’re lazy.

• Men are sexist and should have to undergo sensitivity training in the work force.

• Kids are responsible so the drinking age should be lowered to the age of eighteen.

THESIS STATEMENTS DON’T COVER TOO MUCH.

Marijuana and television pornography should not be legalized because they negatively influence children. (Too much.)

Medicinal marijuana use should not be legalized because it creates problems for the police, physicians, and parents. (Focused on a single topic.)

We need better gun control. A ninety-day waiting period before buying a

gun would prevent crime.

THESIS STATEMENTS FOCUS THE ESSAY

Martin Luther King Jr. is a role model for everyone to follow. (Not focused)

Because of his determination, his courage to follow his beliefs, and his unwavering sense of justice, Martin Luther King Jr. is a symbol of American freedom. (Focused)

HOW DO I WRITE A THESIS STATEMENT?

Decide on your topic. What side of the argument are you on? Narrow your topic to something manageable. Put your topic into a sentence. Add reasons why you think that way. (Don’t

use first person.) Check for errors.

EXAMPLE OF INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH

Should Smoking Be Banned in Public Restaurants?

In the perfect situation, smoking policy would be set by bar or restaurant owners, and customers would patronize the establishments with the policy they prefer. Customers would decide—without the government’s help—if they want to avoid smoke-filled rooms or enter them. They might even choose to sit in an area sectioned off for smokers or non-smokers, but the ultimate issue is choice (Ruwart 1). When the government starts telling restaurant owners what their customers can and cannot do, the government is overstepping its boundaries.