THESIS STATEMENTS H. Fleming English IV

WHAT IS A THESIS STATEMENT?  The “hardest working” sentence in essays.  Identifies the focus of your essay. Function or Purpose: prepares your audience to think about what you plan to fully discuss or prove OVERALL.

Where is the thesis statement located? Your thesis statement should almost always be the last sentence of your introductory (first) paragraph.

CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD THESIS A good thesis:  is a complete sentence  is a statement rather than an announcement  specific  takes a position  is written in third person

A COMPLETE SENTENCE NO Fragment  Beowulf, who was a warrior of great reknown. Question  Is Beowulf a true hero? YES Complete Sentence Because of his willingness to aid others in the time of need, Beowulf defines what it means to be a true hero. Beowulf is a poor example of true heroism because he did not use good judgment.

A STATEMENT RATHER THAN AN ANNOUNCEMENT NOYES In my essay, I will discuss whether Beowulf is a true hero. The subject of my paper is Beowulf’s heroism. In Seamus Heaney’s translation of the epic poem Beowulf, the main character defines what it means to be a true hero through his willingness to aid others in their time of need.

SPECIFIC STATEMENTS Not Too BroadNot Too Narrow Beowulf is a book about being heroic. In the epic poem Beowulf, the main character defeats Grendel through his strength.

TAKES A POSITION X There are many reasons why Beowulf is a hero. Because of his willingness to aid others in the time of need, Beowulf defines what it means to be a true hero.

FORMING YOUR THESIS STATEMENT: TWO FORMULAS

EXAMPLES: Formula 1: Writing to inform Formula 2: Writing an argument