Thesis Statement Requirements

1
English 101 Thesis Statement Requirements
I evaluate your essay based on the
effectiveness of your central idea.
2
Carcinogens in work place
Water pollution
Home energy waste
Solid waste
Car emissions
Acid rain
Industrial
Individual
Pollution
Overcutting forests
Overpopulation
Environmental Problems
Saving Rain Forests
Global warming
Developing alternative energy sources
3
You know you have a thesis if it can generate an
antithesis.

• We can save the Amazon rain forest by limiting
  tourist presence, boycotting goods made by
  companies that deplete the forest's resources,
  and generally educating people about the need to
  preserve the rain forest in order to preserve the
  earth's ecological systems.
• We cannot save the Amazon rain forest because
  limiting tourism diminishes necessary capital,
  the companies that deplete its resources in their
  manufacturing are so widely-spread throughout the
  world, so politically powerful in their
  respective countries, and wealthy enough to fight
  the opposition fully, including its education
  initiatives.

4
Antithesis Practice
SCC offers more user-friendly internet enhanced
classes than does South Mountain Community
College.
SMCC offers more user-friendly internet enhanced
classes than does Scottsdale Community College.
To finally end the managerial incompetence in the
current administration, the President must call
for the resignation of those who have shirked
their reponsibilities and appoint more assiduous
government officials.
Though there have been managerial lapses in the
current administration, the President should not
call for the resignation of those who have
shirked their reponsibilities.
5
Thesis It is imperative that a majority of the
senate vote down the confirmation of Samuel Alito
to the Supreme Curt.
Antithesis It is imperative that a majority of
the senate vote to assure Samuel Alitos
confirmation to the Supreme Court.
Discussion Points
Originalist philosophy
Views on surveillance
Executive authority
Affirmative action
Roe vs Wade
6
Regarding the United States involvement in what
the administration has labeled genocide

• To save the over two million people in regions of
  Sudan who are at risk of of dying wouldn't
  require troops--just a bit of tenacity to
  declare a no-fly zone, to press our Western
  allies and nearby Arab and African states for
  help, to impose an arms embargo and other
  targeted sanctions, to push a meaningful U.N.
  resolution even at the risk of a Chinese veto,
  and to insist upon the deployment of a larger
  African force.

7
Alternative Structuring
An effective thesis for an argumentative essay
may consist of two parts an independent clause
stating the pro side of the argument--the side
you support--and a dependent element (clause or
phrase) stating the con side in which you
acknowledge the opposition. Common openers of
the dependent element are although, despite, and
despite the fact that. In addition, especially
for longer essays, an argumentative thesis is
often divisional it contains specific parts that
give the reader a clearer focus on the direction
and scope of the essay. Example Although the
U.S. government has made many efforts to advance
minorities, their upward movement through social
class is still hindered by obstacles in
employment, housing, lending, and education.
8
Formulating a Thesis Statement
Broad Area Public Education Narrowed to
Alternatives to Public Education in Arizona
Narrowed to Home Schooling in Arizona Thesis
Specific Subject Predicate which asserts an
opinion about
the subject Example Although some parents in
Arizona think that teaching their own
child might undermine the youngsters education,
home schooling is a viable alternative to public
education because it enables the youth to seek
more academic and artistic freedom, permits him
or her to participate in the discussion of family
values and morals, and strengthens familial
relationships.
9
Is this statement a thesis?
Approximately twenty percent of Arizona parents
think the states public education system has
significant problems and that alternative methods
of educating their children, like home schooling,
may offer better solutions.
NO
10
Web sites to help you write a better thesis

• Purdues OWL
• Indiana University
• University of North Carolina
• Rensselaer Polytechnic
• Capital Community College

11
English 102 Thesis Statement Requirements
I evaluate your essay based on the
effectiveness of your central idea.