The Thesis Statement You can do it!!!!!!!

What is a Thesis Statement? A Thesis Statement explains to the reader the MAIN IDEA of the essay, and the writer’s opinion on that idea.

A good thesis statement… Is short and simple: It should be not longer than one sentence, regardless of the essay length.

A good thesis statement is… Limited to one main idea: It has ONE subject.

A good thesis statement… Is NOT a question!

A good thesis statement… Is a declarative sentence with no qualifiers: (Might, Maybe, Perhaps, etc…)

A good thesis statement… Does not have any personal opinion statements: “In my opinion…” “I think…” “I believe…” I don’t care about your opinion, OR what you think, OR what you believe…stop telling me! I DON’T CARE!!!!!

A good thesis statement… Contains an action verb. For example: Lebron James’ ability to score, pass, and rebound makes him the leagues MVP. School uniforms decrease bad behaviors in school. Legalizing marijuana will increase employment and income for the United States.

A good thesis statement is… Is not Wishy-Washy: A thesis statement can only support one side. Do not list both positive and negative sides of the main idea.

Now Let’s Practice

Is this a correct thesis statement? Topic: Violence No! What are the causes of violence? This is incorrect because a thesis statement CANNOT be a question.

Is this a correct thesis statement? Topic: Violence No!! The purpose of my paper is to identify the causes of violence. A thesis statement is not a statement of purpose. There is no need to tell the reader WHAT you will be talking about. Just say what you have to say in the essay!

Is this a correct thesis statement? Topic: Education No! The education system in the United States. This is incorrect for more than one reason: 1.) It in an incomplete sentence. 2.) There is no infinitive verb. 3.) Although there is a subject (the topic), all the writer is doing is stating it. A thesis statement is NOT just a topic

Is this a correct thesis statement? Topic: Teen Pregnancy Yes! Teen pregnancy can be reduced with good education, parental support, and birth control. This is a great thesis statement. 1.) It has a intransitive verb with a list of supporting reasons. 2.) It contains the topic and is ONE complete sentence.

Is this a correct thesis statement? Topic: Grades Yes! Grades cause anxiety and put unnecessary pressure on students. This thesis statement is correct. 1.) Contains a topic, and intransitive verb with supporting reasons.