1. Thesis Statements

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

3. The Thesis Statement A Road Map for Your Essay ESSAY Introduction Thesis Statement Body Paragraph #1 Body Paragraph #2 Body Paragraph #3

4. A thesis statement is usually one sentence. It is often placed in the introductory paragraph of an essay. A thesis statement is a claim that could be argued. The essay will contain evidence and opinions that support the argument.

5. Thesis statements avoid the following: the first person (I believe, In my opinion, in this essay I will tell you… etc.) unclear language (It seems, etc.) attempting two topics at once (even if they seem related). Pick one and stick with it. just stating a fact - A thesis is something you plan to make an argument about.

6. A thesis statement should contain a topic (main idea of what you are writing about) contain an opinion about the topic (what your attitude is toward the topic)

7. THESIS STATEMENT = Subject + attitude!

8. Key Features Location Readers like to know what an essay will be about near the beginning of the essay rather than at the end. This is why the thesis statement is often found at the end of the introductory paragraph.

9. Key Features Location 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.

10. A thesis statement should not be too broad or general. Too Broad The world is a magnificent place to live. Better Good teachers make Issaquah Middle a fantastic school.

11. Which sentence is too broad to be a good thesis statement? 1. One reason to live in Issaquah is access to many wonderful places to hike. 2. Issaquah is a great place to live.

12. Too Broad (or general) Issaquah is a great place to live. Issaquah is a great place to live.

13. A thesis statement should not be too wordy. Wordy Some problems with Issaquah Middle School is that it needs a playground, an air conditioned gym, an auditorium, restrooms connected to each classroom, and a number of other physical changes to the building. Better Issaquah Middle School needs several changes to its facility to make it a better school.

14. Which sentence is too wordy to be a good thesis statement? 1. Abe Lincoln was one of the best presidents the United States has ever known. 2. Abe Lincoln was an excellent speaker, the 16 th President of the United States, a liberator of slaves, and united the North and South at the end of the American Civil War.

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

16. A thesis statement should not be too general. Too general Issaquah Middle School is a good school. Better Daily writing practice has led to improved writing skills for the students at Issaquah Middle School.

17. Which sentence is too general to be a good thesis statement? 1. Music makes people happy. 2. Music therapy is useful in relieving stress and other conditions.

18. Too general Music makes people happy.

19. A thesis statement should not be a title. A title Cost of Living Better The cost of living in Issaquah is higher than in most other cities in the United States.

20. Which sentence would not be a good thesis statement because it is a title? 1. Good teaching has led to an increase in MSP scores at Issaquah Middle School. 2. Rising MSP Scores at Issaquah Middle School.

21. A Title Rising MSP Scores at Issaquah Middle School

22. A thesis statement should not be a fact. A fact The average temperature for Issaquah in winter is 45 and in summer is 71 degrees. Better The climate in Issaquah is ideal for outdoor sports.

23. Which sentence would not be a good thesis statement because it is a fact? 1. The recycling of one aluminum can saves enough energy to run a TV for three hours. 2. Recycling is one of the most important jobs a person can do to protect our environment.

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

25. More Practice

26. Directions: 1) Find the opinion words in the statement. If there are no opinion words, it is not a thesis statement. 2) Tell if the statement is a good thesis statement. Although most people believe otherwise, bats are harmless and highly beneficial.

27. Directions: 1) Find the opinion words in the statement. If there are no opinion words, it is not a thesis statement. 2) Tell if the statement is a good thesis statement. In this essay I will discuss the crime rate in Issaquah.

28. Directions: 1) Find the opinion words in the statement. If there are no opinion words, it is not a thesis statement. 2) Tell if the statement is a good thesis statement. Energetic exercise is a good way to help relieve stress.

29. Directions: 1) Find the opinion words in the statement. If there are no opinion words, it is not a thesis statement. 2) Tell if the statement is a good thesis statement. Issaquah and Seattle differ in many ways.

30. Directions: 1) Find the opinion words in the statement. If there are no opinion words, it is not a thesis statement. 2) Tell if the statement is a good thesis statement. This paper will consider the advantages and disadvantages of students having nightly homework.

31. Directions: 1) Find the opinion words in the statement. If there are no opinion words, it is not a thesis statement. 2) Tell if the statement is a good thesis statement. Hate speech should be eliminated for many reasons.

32. In each of the following slides tell whether the sentence is a good or bad thesis statement. Show me with Thumbs up/Thumbs down what you think of each.

33. Good or Bad 1. Many people do not like to watch violent horror movies. 2. Today’s movies do not have the emotional impact of the classic horror movies of the 1940’s.

34. Good or Bad 3. Rap music is the best music ever. 4. Although many people find rap music offensive, it has had a positive impact on today’s youth.

35. Good or Bad 5. I enjoy white water rafting. 6. The first white water rafting trip can challenge a person both in body and spirit.

36. Good or Bad 7. Sixth grade students are busy. 8. The life of a typical sixth grade student is challenging due to the need to succeed in extracurricular activities.

37. Good or Bad 9. Community service projects include building shelter for the homeless, servicing meals to the hungry, providing transportation for the sick, distributing clothes, and a large number of other helpful activities. 10. Students should help others who are less fortunate.

38. Now you try with a partner…. LAWS Why do we need them? Focus your thesis statement on Hammurabi’s ancient laws and why they were/are important to us Come up with TWO practice thesis statements