Writing a Thesis Statement

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Writing a Thesis Statement
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What is it?

• For most student work, it's a one- or two-
  sentence statement that explicitly outlines the
  purpose or point of your paper.
• It is generally a complex, compound sentence

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What does it do?

• It should point toward the development or course
  of argument the reader can expect your argument
  to take

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Where does it go?

• Because the rest of the paper will support or
  back up your thesis, a thesis is normally placed
  at or near the end of the introductory paragraph.

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What does it contain?

• The thesis sentence must contain an arguable
  point.
• A thesis sentence must not simply make an
  observation -- for example, France was an ally
  of America during the Revolutionary War."
• Rather, it must assert a point that is arguable
• Without French ships, money and troops, America
  would not have won the Revolutionary War."

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What it determines

• The thesis sentence must control the entire
  argument.
• Your thesis sentence determines what you are
  required to say in a paper.
• It also determines what you cannot say.
• Every paragraph in your paper exists in order to
  support your thesis.
• Accordingly, if one of your paragraphs seems
  irrelevant to your thesis you have two choices
  get rid of the paragraph, or rewrite your thesis.

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Other Attributes

• It takes a side on a topic rather than simply
  announcing that the paper is about a topic (the
  title should have already told your reader your
  topic). Don't tell readers about something tell
  them what about something. Answer the questions
  "how?" or "why?

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Summary

• The four shoulds of a thesis statement

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A good thesis statement should take a stand -
don't be afraid to have an opinion if after your
research, your opinion changes, all the better
it means you have been thinking you can write a
new thesis statement!
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• 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?"

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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."
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Example

• Poor The Civil War had a really high death rate.
• Good The death rate during the Civil War was so
  high because of destructive weapons, poor hygiene
  and inadequate medical care.

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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
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Where to begin? 1. Find topics that interest
you 2. Once you decide on a specific topic, ask
yourself a specific question about that topic
(ex, why is it important? what was the effect of
it? what caused it?)3. The answer to that
question is your thesis statement
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Parts of a Thesis Statement

• Limited Subject- tells the reader exactly on
  what, or whom the article focuses.
• Precise opinion- gives your answer to a question
  about the subject. A good precise opinion is
  vital to the reader's comprehension of the goal
  of the essay.
• Blueprint of reasons- A blueprint is a plan. It
  lets the builder know that the kitchen will be
  here, the living room will be to the east, the
  dining room to the west, and the family room will
  be north.

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Example of a 3 part thesis statement

• Snowboarding is the best winter sport available
  to young people because of its ease, relative
  inexpensiveness, and the many opportunities for
  socialization that it provides.
• Snowboarding (limited subject)
• Is the best winter sport available to young
  people (precise opinion)
• because of its ease, relative inexpensiveness,
  and the many opportunities for socialization that
  it provides (blue print of reasons)

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Can you identify the 3 parts of the thesis
statement below?

• The Snickers bar is the best choice for an
  on-the-go snack for active teenagers because of
  its high level of energy-inducing proteins,
  satisfying sweetness, and all-around portability.
• limited subject?
• precise opinion?
• blueprint of reasons?