Here – Have A Thesis! A Practical Guide to Thesis Statements ptwww.teacherweb.com/AZ/AJHS/LynneCoulter/Haveathesis.p pt, modified by Rebecca Oberg pt

What is a THESIS STATEMENT? ► A THESIS STATEMENT is your written OPINION on the essay topic. ► Often, your THESIS STATEMENT includes 3 REASONS (or points).

An Example of a THESIS STATEMENT ► Texting while driving should be against the law in this and every state due to the personal dangers, social dangers, and parental dangers posed by the practice. ► What is the yellow text? ► OPINION ► What is the white text? ► The 3 REASONS

A THESIS STATEMENT is an assertion, not a statement of fact or an observation. ► Fact or observation: People use lawn chemicals. ► Thesis: Use of lawn chemicals is poisoning the environment, endangering animals, and toying with nature.

A THESIS STATEMENT takes a stand rather than announcing a subject. ► Announcement: The thesis of this paper is the difficulty of solving our environmental problems. ► Thesis: Solving our environmental problems will require us all to reduce, reuse, and recycle.

A THESIS STATEMENT is narrow, rather than broad, so that it can be fully supported. ► Broad: The Apache Junction School District has many problems. ► Thesis: The primary problems of the Apache Junction School District are the lack of funds, the outdated materials, and the lack of community support.

A THESIS STATEMENT answers a question in the prompt. ► The Question: Do you think having a Myspace page is beneficial for teens? ► The Answer: Having a Myspace page is beneficial for several reasons… ► Note: The answer above is the OPINION portion of the THESIS STATEMENT. ► Often when writing THESIS STATEMENTS, all you need to do for the opinion portion is turn the question into a statement.

Now You Try ► Write the OPINION portion of a THESIS STATEMENT that answers the following prompt:  Should cell phones be completely banned from schools?  Turn the question into a statement of your opinion.

This is what that statement should look like! ► ► Cell phones should be completely banned from schools. ► ► Do you see how the question was turned into a statement?   Should cell phones be completely banned from schools? ► ► becomes   Cell phones should be completely banned from schools.

3 REASONS ► Now, add 3 REASONS to the OPINION portion of your THESIS STATEMENT about cell phones. Use the reasons listed below: 1.Cell phones promote cheating. 2.Cell phones disrupt classes. 3.Cell phones distract students from learning.

The Finished Product ► Cell phones should be banned completely from schools because they promote cheating, disrupt classes, and distract students from learning.

A THESIS STATEMENT contains 3 reasons stated in parallel structure. ► What is parallel structure? ► Parallel structure is when the 3 REASONS (or points) have a very similar structure.

Parallel Structure Continued ► Cell phones should be banned completely from schools because they promote cheating, disrupt classes, and distract students from learning. ► What are the verbs? ► promote, disrupt, distract ► What are the nouns? ► cheating, classes, students

Another Example ► Drivers Ed. should be kept in schools because it develops necessary skills, helping parents, and it teaches healthy habits. ► What is wrong with this THESIS STATEMENT? ► Yes, it does not demonstrate parallel structure.  “ it develops necessary skills”  “helping parents”  “it teaches healthy habits”

How Can We Fix It? ► Drivers Ed. should be kept in schools because it develops necessary skills, it helps parents, and it teaches healthy habits. ► “it develops necessary skills” ► “it helps parents” ► “it teaches healthy habits”

Now You Try ► Write 2 reasons why the underlined parts are parallel. ► “it develops necessary skills” ► “it helps parents” ► “it teaches healthy habits”

Now You Try ► Write 2 reasons why the italicized parts are parallel. ► “it develops necessary skills” ► “it helps parents” ► “it teaches healthy habits”

Now You Fix ► ► Fix the THESIS STATEMENT below so that it demonstrates parallel structure.   My community has several high-quality features like great schools, it has friendly neighbors, and the scenery is beautiful.

Parallel Structure ► My community has several high- quality features: great schools, friendly neighbors, and beautiful scenery. ► So why does this THESIS STATEMENT now demonstrate perfect parallel structure? ► It has three adjective-noun structures. [no verbs on this one]

Fix One More ► ► Fix the THESIS STATEMENT below so that it demonstrates parallel structure.   Students are successful in school when they are hardworking and responsible, also when they are respectful to their teachers and when they use lots of resources.

Parallel Structure ► ► Students are successful in school when they are responsible, respectful, and resourceful. ► ► The 3 REASONS now demonstrate parallel structure. ► ► The 3 REASONS are all adjectives that describe students.

Putting the Pieces Together Introductory Paragraph 1. Attention Grabber 2. Background Information 3. Thesis

The Writing Prompt ► In recent years, concerns have been raised about the safety of reading and writing text messages while operating a vehicle. Do you think it should be against the law to text and drive? In a five-paragraph essay, persuade an educated audience of your opinion on the topic.

Where do we begin our introduction paragraph? ► With an attention grabber:  There are 40 million active “text messagers” in America today. This is an interesting fact that introduces the topic and gets the reader’s attention.

And the second thing needed in an introduction paragraph? ► Background Information  Text messaging has been a form of contacting friends and family for nearly a decade, but it has grown dramatically in popularity in the last few years. Texting a friend has truly replaced calling or ing a friend, and it is not uncommon for an individual to send 40- plus messages a day. Used for personal and business reasons alike, texting is a regular part of many people’s day, even something done while driving a car. But there is a danger to this practice.

And the final piece… ► …the THESIS:  Texting while driving should be against the law in this and every state due to the personal dangers, social dangers, and parental dangers posed by the practice. Notice how the writer has stated an OPINION on the topic, has 3 REASONS to support the opinion, AND has parallel structure.

Putting it all together There are more than 40 million active “text messagers” in America today. Text messaging has been a form of contacting friends and family for nearly a decade, but it has grown dramatically in popularity in the last few years. Texting a friend has truly replaced calling or ing a friend, and it is not uncommon for an individual to send 40-plus messages a day. Used for personal and business reasons alike, texting is a regular part of many people’s day, even something done while driving a car. But there is a danger to this practice. Texting while driving should be against the law in this and every state due to the personal dangers, social dangers, and parental dangers posed by the practice. There are more than 40 million active “text messagers” in America today. Text messaging has been a form of contacting friends and family for nearly a decade, but it has grown dramatically in popularity in the last few years. Texting a friend has truly replaced calling or ing a friend, and it is not uncommon for an individual to send 40-plus messages a day. Used for personal and business reasons alike, texting is a regular part of many people’s day, even something done while driving a car. But there is a danger to this practice. Texting while driving should be against the law in this and every state due to the personal dangers, social dangers, and parental dangers posed by the practice. Attention Grabber Background Info Opinion 3 Reasons