How to write a THESIS STATEMENT A thesis statement answers the question asked of you. (Is Ms. Harper amazing?) A thesis statement is a claim (has to have evidence), NOT a fact or question. – BAD EXAMPLE: Ms. Harper is pretty amazing. – GOOD EXAMPLE: Ms. Harper is a very hard worker and cares about her students a lot, therefore she is really amazing. A thesis is a road map: It tells your reader where your paper is going

1 st paragraph INTRODUCTION (your thesis statement will be in here ) 2 nd paragraph Talk about how Ms. Harper is a hard worker and give examples 3 rd paragraph Talk about how Ms. Harper cares about her students and give examples 4 th paragraph CONCLUSION

Paragraph 1: Introductory (Background information) Thesis Statement (last sentence of paragraph 1): Drilling for oil in Alaska is bad/good idea because 1.) ________________________________________________ 2.) ________________________________________________ 3.) ________________________________________________

Paragraph 2: 1 st body paragraph: Reason 1 sentence: Direct quote from document: Argument: Paragraph 3: 2 nd body paragraph Reason 2 sentence: Direct quote from document: Argument: Paragraph 4: 3 rd body paragraph Reason 3 sentence: Direct quote from document: Argument:

Paragraph 5: Closing Argument: Restate thesis, summarize essay in a sentence or two: