After you have brainstormed and you have some main
Introduction
Thesis Statements
After you have brainstormed and you have some main
ideas of what you would like to write in your essay, you can
begin thinking about writing a thesis statement.
What’s a thesis statement????
A thesis statement is a complete sentence
Definition
Thesis Statement
A thesis statement is a complete sentence
that contains one main idea. This idea controls
the content of the entire essay. A thesis
statement that contains subpoints also helps a
reader know how the essay will be organized.
Look at the introductory paragraph below. See
if you can identify the thesis statement and
subpoints.
When I was young, I always knew that I wanted to become a teacher someday. When I played, I would often gather my dolls together and pretend to teach them how to do math problems or how to read a book. As I grew older, my desire to become an ESL teacher became clearer as I did some volunteer teaching overseas and in the United States. As I look back on my reasons for becoming a teacher, there are three reasons that stand out; which are my love for the English language, my innate interest in how people learn, and my desire to help other people .
Definition
Thesis Statement
The thesis statement contains the main idea that controls the content of the essay.
Subpoints in the thesis or nearby help the reader know how the essay will be organized
Psychologists have argued for decades about how a person’s character is formed. Numerous psychologists believe that one’s birth order (i.e. place in the family as the youngest, oldest, or middle child) has the greatest influence. Birth order can have a significant impact in the formation of a child’s character and can strongly affect one’s relationship with parents, relationships with others, and how one views responsibility as an adult.
Thesis Statement
Another Example
The thesis statement contains the main idea that controls the content of the essay.
Subpoints in the thesis or nearby help the reader know how the essay will be organized
For most of my life I have lived with bad health, smelly clothes, and a chronic cough. My children and husband begged me to stop the habit that caused these conditions, but I couldn’t. The habit of smoking had wrapped its addicting arms around me and was slowly strangling me until one day I realized I had to stop. This realization came after three terrifying events occurred in my family.
The thesis statement comes at the end of the introductory paragraph. This sentence tells the reader that he/she can expect to read about the events that caused the author to stop smoking in the rest of the essay.
Location
Another Example
Maya Angelou is an accomplished African-American author in the United States. While growing up, she suffered tremendous hardship. Some of her most difficult life events are portrayed in novels and poems such as, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, and, Still I Rise. Her written works often include strong themes such as perseverance through trials, love for family, and passionate optimism.
The thesis statement comes at the end of the introductory paragraph. This sentence tells the reader that he/she can expect to read more about how Maya Angelou expresses these themes in her writing.
Good thesis statements often express a
Good thesis statements often express a
writer’s opinion or attitude on a particular topic.
I learned to play many musical instruments when I was young.
This would not be considered a good thesis statement because it is only expressing a fact. It doesn’t give the writer’s opinion or attitude on playing musical instruments. This thesis statement doesn’t give the writer very much to explain or prove in his/her essay.
Learning to play many musical instruments when I was young helped me to become a more intelligent and well-rounded person.
This thesis statement is much better because it expresses how the writer feels about the experience of learning to play musical instruments. This thesis statement requires the writer to explain how and why playing a musical instrument made him/her a better person.
An Opinion or Attitude
Another Example
Cancun is a popular vacation spot in Mexico.
This would not be considered a good thesis statement, because it is only expressing a fact. It doesn’t reflect the writer’s opinion or attitude on Cancun. This thesis statement doesn’t give the writer very much to explain or prove in his/her essay.
Cancun is one of the best vacation spots in Mexico because of its comfortable climate and proximity to some well-known archeological sites.
This thesis statement is much better because it expresses how the writer feels about Cancun. This thesis statement requires the writer to explain how and why going to Cancun is a good choice for visitors.
You can make your thesis statement more
You can make your thesis statement more
specific by including subtopics or supporting
ideas. By doing this, you give your reader a
clear idea of what will follow in the body
paragraphs of your essay.
Key Features
Subtopics
Key Features
Subtopics
The large influx of people to California has had major effects on the state.
No subtopics are named in this thesis statement.
The large influx of people to California has had major effects on the ability of the state to provide housing, electricity, and jobs for all residents.
This statement names three subtopics. Can you find all of the subtopics?
subtopic #1
subtopic #2
subtopic #3
Subtopics
Another Example
Inner-city public schools struggle with some serious problems.
No subtopics are named in this thesis statement.
Some of the most serious problems in today’s inner-city public schools are the overcrowded classrooms, the low percentage of trained teachers, and the lack of resources such as textbooks for students.
This statement names three subtopics. Can you find all of the subtopics?
subtopic #1
subtopic #2
subtopic #3
In thesis statements, you should avoid using
In thesis statements, you should avoid using
statements like, “This essay will discuss…” or
“I’m going to write about…”. Try to write a
thesis statement that captures your reader’s
attention without announcing your main topic
and stating the obvious. Look at the examples
below.
Key Features
Don’t State the Obvious
Key Features
Don’t State the Obvious
In this essay, I am going to discuss the effects of long-term drug abuse.
Long-term drug use can have disastrous effects on one’s marriage, career, and health.
Don’t State the Obvious
Another Example
This essay will discuss some ways teachers can fight teenage drug abuse.
Teachers can fight teenage drug abuse by educating young people on its dangers and by being good role models.
Key Features
Review
states the main idea of the essay in a complete sentence, not in a question.
states an opinion or attitude on a topic. It doesn’t just state the topic, itself.
