The Thesis Statement

9th Grade English/Social Studies

What is a thesis statement? • It’s complete thought that explains in some detail what you expect to write about. You may use one or more sentences to preview the ideas of the supporting paragraphs. • It takes a stand rather than announces a subject (It’s not – ―In this paper I am writing about George Washington…‖) • A thesis statement is narrow/specific, rather than broad. If the thesis statement is sufficiently narrow, it can be fully supported (Brunsvold). For example – Hannah Montana is the greatest singer this century! – What’s wrong with this?

Exactly! • It’s too broad! Do

you know all the singers of this century and do you really want to research all of them? You want to narrow your thesis statement so that you will be able to fully support your assertion.

What is a thesis statement? • It has one main point rather than several main points. More than one point may be too difficult for the reader to understand and the writer to support (Brunsvold). • The thesis statement is typically located at the end of your opening paragraph. (The opening paragraph serves to set the tone for your paper and why you are writing about the topic)

How do you make a good thesis statement? • A good preliminary/tentative thesis will help you focus your search for information about your topic. But don't rush! You must do a lot of background reading before you know enough about a subject to identify key or essential questions that you want to write about. You may not know how you stand on an issue until you have examined and thought about your topic. You will likely begin your research with a working (preliminary or starter) thesis which you will continue to refine until you are certain of where the evidence leads.

How do you make a good thesis statement?

• You can think of your thesis as a map or a guide both for yourself and your audience, so it might be helpful to draw a chart or picture of your ideas and how they’re connected before you get started.

How do you make a good thesis statement?

• Again, as you write and revise your paper, it is okay to change your thesis statement—sometimes you don’t discover what you really want to say about a topic until you have started (or finished) writing! Just make sure that your ―final‖ thesis statement accurately communicates what will happen in your paper.

How do you make a good thesis statement?

• Simple equations for a thesis might look something like this: • Take a specific topic (like _________) + (then add) • Attitude/Angle/Argument [for example, I feel (attitude) as a supporter of _the topic_ (angle), because____(argument – your reasons)] = Thesis Statement Or to put it another way… What you plan to argue + How you plan to argue it = Thesis

Thesis Statement, cont. How do you know if you've got a solid starting thesis? Try these five tests: 1. Does the thesis inspire a reader to ask, "How?" or Why?" or “I want to learn more?” 2. Would a reasonable reader NOT respond with "Duh!" or "So what?" or "Gee, no kidding!" or "Who cares?" 3. Does the thesis avoid general phrasing and/or sweeping words such as "all" or "none" or "every"? 4. Does the thesis lead the reader toward the topic sentences (the subtopics needed to prove your thesis located in your other paragraphs)? 5. Can the thesis be explained in the required length of the paper or project? (2-3 pages academic, 4-5 pages AP) If you cannot answer "YES" to these questions, what changes must you make in order for your thesis to pass these tests?

AGAIN, REMEMBER!!!!!! You can revise your thesis statement whenever you want to while you are writing your essay. Writers often discover what their real purpose and point is in the process of putting their thoughts into words and then reading what they’ve written!

Sample Thesis Statements • Sample Thesis Statements – Remember You Have to Prove What You Say in Your Final Paper! – Best – There is no excuse for e-coli contamination considering the modern technology available to us now. – Good - E-coli contamination should not happen with the modern technology available to us now. – Bad – E –coli contamination will never happen again.

• Why is the 3rd one a bad thesis statement?

Sample Thesis Statements, cont. Good - The causes of the Civil War were economic, social, and political. Bad – The Civil War was a war between the north and the south. • Why is the 2nd one a bad thesis statement?

Sample Thesis Statement, cont.

• Good - The Simpsons represents one of the greatest animated shows in television history because of the length of time the show has been on, the number of awards it’s won, and the millions of dollars of merchandising spent on it each year.

• Bad – Every Family Guy episode is the best television show ever. • Why is the 2nd one a bad thesis statement?

Sample Thesis Statement, cont. • Good - Hair styles often symbolize reaction or compliance to cultural, religious or social values. • Bad – The Mohawk look began in the late 1970s, early 1980s.

• Why is the 2nd one a bad thesis statement?

Thesis Statement • http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handout s/general/gl_thesis.html

Your Assignment: DUE : “A/Blue” Day – November 30th “B/Black” Day – December 1st •Write a 3 sentence thesis paragraph with the following: •1st sentence – introduction of the topic by telling us why you chose it (2 points) •2nd sentence – short one sentence history of the topic (since this is a history class!) (2 points)

•3rd sentence – your thesis sentence (4 points) •After you finish your paragraph for the remaining two points put down which category your project will go under – what are the categories again look at your ―Social Science Fair Handout‖ or click here!

For Example: I have liked the New York Yankees every since I went to my first game on Father’s Day weekend, 1981. The Yankees hold the record for the most number of World Series Championships. I think the Yankees are the best major league baseball team due to the variety of records they have broken throughout their long history. (Category – Recreation, Arts, and Entertainment)

Works Cited Brunsvold, Libby. ―Thesis Statement.‖ Literacy Education Online 14 Oct. 2003 02 Nov. 06 . ―What is a Thesis?‖ 2 Nov 06 .

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