First Thing First 2 facts you learned about your topic 1 thing you still want to know OR 1 thing you are confused about

Today Go over thesis statements Library Goals: Finish your research

Creating a Thesis Statement

What is a Thesis Statement? Your thesis statement is the “So What?” of your paper. Why does this matter? Why should the reader continue reading? It informs the reader of what the essay will be about

What is a Thesis Statement? It is the unifying aspect of your paper. Everything that you write should be connected to your thesis A good thesis statement keeps the writer on task. It keeps the writer focused on a specific idea. Located at the end of your introduction paragraph

Qualities of a Good Thesis Should be clear, strong, and easy to find Specific and focused Expresses one main idea

What You Must Include Your topic The 1930s What you intend to talk about in your essay AKA: what did you learn?

Example: Weak thesis: The Jim Crow laws segregated African Americans. Average thesis: The Jim Crow laws were created in the 1930s to keep African Americans and whites segregated.

Example: Average thesis: The Jim Crow laws were created in the 1930s to keep African Americans and whites segregated. Strong thesis: The Jim Crow laws segregated African Americans and whites which shows how racist the South was in the 1930s.

Thesis Statements Take a minute to create a thesis statement Must have: The 1930s Your topic What you learned/are going to write about