Thesis Statements. What is a thesis statement? A thesis statement is the main idea of an essay. It is often a point you want to argue or support in an.

Thesis StatementsThesis Statements

What is a thesis statement?What is a thesis statement?

A thesis statement is the A thesis statement is the main ideamain idea of an of an essay. essay.

It is often a point you want to argue or It is often a point you want to argue or support in an essay.support in an essay.

SOSOThe thesis statement explains to a reader The thesis statement explains to a reader the the main idea main idea of the essay, and the of the essay, and the writer’s writer’s opinionopinion on that idea. on that idea.

A thesis statement shouldA thesis statement should

contain a contain a topictopic (main idea of (main idea of what you are writing about)what you are writing about)

contain an contain an opinionopinion about the about the topic (what your attitude is topic (what your attitude is toward the topic)toward the topic)

Thesis statements Thesis statements avoidavoid the the following:following:

the first person (I believe, In my opinion, the first person (I believe, In my opinion, etc.)etc.)

Ambiguous/unclear language (It seems, Ambiguous/unclear language (It seems, good, rather, etc.)good, rather, etc.)

A thesis statement should not be A thesis statement should not be too broad.too broad.

Too BroadToo Broad

The world is a magnificent place to live.The world is a magnificent place to live.

BetterBetter

Good teachers make Red Mountain High Good teachers make Red Mountain High School fantastic school. School fantastic school.

Which sentence is too broad to be Which sentence is too broad to be a good thesis statement?a good thesis statement?

A.A. One reason to live in Mesa is One reason to live in Mesa is convenient access to many convenient access to many outdoor activities. outdoor activities.

B.B. Mesa is a great place to live.Mesa is a great place to live.

Too BroadToo Broad

Mesa is a great place to live.Mesa is a great place to live.

A thesis statement should not be A thesis statement should not be too wordy.too wordy.

WordyWordySome problems with Salk Elementary School is Some problems with Salk Elementary School is

that it needs a larger playground, an air that it needs a larger playground, an air conditioned gym, an auditorium, restrooms conditioned gym, an auditorium, restrooms connected to each classroom, running water in connected to each classroom, running water in the classrooms, and a number of other physical the classrooms, and a number of other physical changes to the building.changes to the building.

BetterBetterSalk Elementary needs several changes to its Salk Elementary needs several changes to its

facility to make it a better school. facility to make it a better school.

Which sentence is too wordy to be Which sentence is too wordy to be a good thesis statement?a good thesis statement?

A.A. Abe Lincoln was one of the best Abe Lincoln was one of the best presidents the United States has ever presidents the United States has ever known.known.

B.B. Abe Lincoln was an excellent speaker, Abe Lincoln was an excellent speaker, the 16the 16thth President of the United States, a President of the United States, a liberator of slaves, and united the North liberator of slaves, and united the North and South at the end of the American Civil and South at the end of the American Civil War. War.

Too WordyToo Wordy

Abe Lincoln was an excellent speaker, the Abe Lincoln was an excellent speaker, the 1616thth President of the United States, a President of the United States, a liberator of slaves, and united the North liberator of slaves, and united the North and South at the end of the American Civil and South at the end of the American Civil War. War.

A thesis statement should not be A thesis statement should not be too general.too general.

Too generalToo general

Freemont Junior High is a good school. Freemont Junior High is a good school.

BetterBetter

Daily writing practice has led to improved Daily writing practice has led to improved writing skills for the students at Freemont writing skills for the students at Freemont Junior High. Junior High.

Which sentence is too general to Which sentence is too general to be a good thesis statement?be a good thesis statement?

A.A. Music makes people happy. Music makes people happy.

B.B. Music therapy is useful in Music therapy is useful in relieving stress and other relieving stress and other conditions.conditions.

Too generalToo general

Music makes people happy.Music makes people happy.

A thesis statement should not be a A thesis statement should not be a title.title.

A titleA title

Cost of Living Cost of Living

BetterBetter

The cost of living in Mesa is lower than in The cost of living in Mesa is lower than in most other cities in the United States. most other cities in the United States.

Which sentence would not be a Which sentence would not be a good thesis statement because it is good thesis statement because it is

a title?a title?

A.A. Good teaching has led to an Good teaching has led to an increase in AIMS scores at Red increase in AIMS scores at Red Mountain High School. Mountain High School.

B.B. Rising AIMS Scores at Red Rising AIMS Scores at Red Mountain High School.Mountain High School.

A TitleA Title

Rising AIMS Scores at Red Rising AIMS Scores at Red Mountain High SchoolMountain High School

A thesis statement should not be a A thesis statement should not be a a fact.a fact.

A factA fact

The average temperature for Mesa in winter The average temperature for Mesa in winter is72 and in summer is 108 degrees. is72 and in summer is 108 degrees.

BetterBetter

The winter climate in Mesa is ideal for The winter climate in Mesa is ideal for outdoor sports. outdoor sports.

Which sentence would not be a Which sentence would not be a good thesis statement because it is good thesis statement because it is

a fact?a fact?

A.A. The recycling of one aluminum The recycling of one aluminum can saves enough energy to run a can saves enough energy to run a TV for three hours. TV for three hours.

B.B. Recycling is one of the most Recycling is one of the most important jobs a person can do to important jobs a person can do to protect our environment.protect our environment.

A FactA Fact

The recycling of one aluminum can The recycling of one aluminum can saves enough energy to run a TV saves enough energy to run a TV for three hours. for three hours.

More PracticeMore Practice Explain the strength or weakness Explain the strength or weakness

of each Thesis.of each Thesis.

1. Although most people believe 1. Although most people believe otherwise, bats are harmless and otherwise, bats are harmless and highly beneficial.highly beneficial.

2.In this essay I will discuss the 2.In this essay I will discuss the crime rate in Phoenix, Arizona.crime rate in Phoenix, Arizona.

3.Energetic exercise is a good way 3.Energetic exercise is a good way to help relieve stress.to help relieve stress.

4.Arizona and California differ in 4.Arizona and California differ in many ways.many ways.

5.This paper will consider the 5.This paper will consider the advantages and disadvantages of advantages and disadvantages of students having nightly students having nightly homework.homework.

6.Hate speech should be 6.Hate speech should be eliminated for many reasons.eliminated for many reasons.

Homework ENDS HereHomework ENDS Here

In each of the following slides In each of the following slides Identify the BETTER Thesis and be Identify the BETTER Thesis and be

ready to explain WHYready to explain WHY

Good or BadGood or Bad

1.1. The problem with horror movies. The problem with horror movies.

2.2. Today’s movies do not have the Today’s movies do not have the emotional impact of the classic emotional impact of the classic horror movies of the 1940’s. horror movies of the 1940’s.

Good or BadGood or Bad

3.3. Rap music is the best music Rap music is the best music ever. ever.

4.4. Although many people find Although many people find rap music offensive, it has rap music offensive, it has had a positive impact on had a positive impact on today’s youth.today’s youth.

Good or BadGood or Bad

5.5. I enjoy whitewater rafting.I enjoy whitewater rafting.

6.6. The first whitewater rafting The first whitewater rafting trip can challenge a person trip can challenge a person both in body and spirit.both in body and spirit.

Good or BadGood or Bad

7.7. High school students are busy; High school students are busy; they have a lot to do in a day.they have a lot to do in a day.

8.8. The life of a typical high school The life of a typical high school student is challenging due to student is challenging due to the need to succeed in the need to succeed in extracurricular activities.extracurricular activities.

Good or BadGood or Bad

9.9. Community service projects include Community service projects include building shelter for the homeless, building shelter for the homeless, servicing meals to the hungry, servicing meals to the hungry, providing transportation for the sick, providing transportation for the sick, distributing clothes, and a large distributing clothes, and a large number of other helpful activities.number of other helpful activities.

10.10.Community service should be a Community service should be a requirement for high school requirement for high school graduation. graduation.