1. Thesis Statements and Topic Sentences Effectively beginning an essay

2. Thesis Statements

3. Step 1: Breaking Down the Prompt Compose an essay describing your favorite cartoon.

4. Step 2: Choose your topic What is your favorite cartoon? SpongeBob Squarepants

5. Step 3: Formulate reasons Why is SpongeBob your favorite cartoon? Usually you will have 3 reasons Example: SpongeBob always gets in trouble Squidward hates everyone Bikini bottom is exciting

6. Step 4: Construct Thesis Use reasons to construct thesis Answer the question of the assignment Be specific Give content and ORDER of essay Usually one sentence

7. Step 4: Cont. Contains Essay’s subject Main idea Evidence or support Use the key words from the prompt to construct your thesis

8. Step 4: Cont. Sample Thesis Statements: SpongeBob is my favorite cartoon. SpongeBob is my favorite cartoon for many reasons. Spongebob is my favorite cartoon, because he is always getting into trouble, Squidward hates everyone, and Bikini bottom is an exciting place.

9. Your turn In your teams, pick one TV show and write a thesis statement to answer the following prompt (everyone write): Compose an essay describing your favorite television show.

10. Remember your steps!! Step 1: Break down the prompt Step 2: Choose your topic Step 3: Formulate reasons Step 4: Construct Thesis When your group finishes, student ____ write your team’s thesis on the board

11. Topic Sentences Each of your reasons will be a paragraph Every paragraph must have a topic sentence Follow same order as thesis statement Only one topic per paragraph

12. Topic Sentences Example I enjoy watching SpongeBob, because he is always getting into trouble. Additionally, the fact that Squidward hates everyone makes the cartoon humorous. Finally, Bikini bottom is an exciting place to live and is always full of excitement.

13. Homework Prompt: Compose an essay describing your favorite movie of all time. Complete the graphic organizer (thesis, topic sentences, and reasons/examples)