Learning to… WRITE A GREAT THESIS STATEMENT GHSGWT Sandra Hurtte Union Grove High School July 2013

What IS THESIS a STATEMENT?

The thesis is a contract between the writer and the reader. This one ruling idea that will be supported by the body paragraphs. The thesis serves as a plan for the writer. The purpose of the remainder of the essay is to prove the thesis to the reader.

The thesis statement prevents the writer from just rambling on and on without a controlling purpose. Like this…

BLAH

RULES FOR THESIS FOR THESISSTATEMENTS 4

MUST restate the topic MUST BE the last sentence of the first paragraph MUST pick a side —agree or disagree RULES 4 MUST be ONE sentence In length

MUST BE sentence of the THE LAST Fi rst Paragraph

The thesis statement is ALWAYS the LAST sentence in the introductory paragraph. This allows the writer to transition smoothly and easily from the introduction to the first body paragraph.

RESTATE TOPIC THE 2

FIND THE TOPIC Writing Topic: In some countries, young persons (male and female) are required to serve two years of military service. Your state legislature is considering a similar policy in the United States that would require all high school graduates to serve two years of military service following high school graduation. What is your opinion on this issue?.

YOU MUST RESTATE THE TOPIC IN YOUR THESIS STATEMENT “It is important to the safety of our country that state legislature immediately take steps to enact mandatory military service for high school seniors following graduation.”

PICK A SIDE 3

A SIDE PICK And STICK WITH IT! Don’t waffle!

Pick the side you believe you can BEST defend— for or against? Make sure you can come up with enough EVIDENCE to support the side you choose BEFORE you begin writing. YOU do not have to agree of disagree in REAL LIFE—you just have to convince the reader that you do.

The thesis statement in a persuasive essay is ONE well- written sentence that restates the topic and chooses a side. Cell phone are used in restaurants. The first example restates the topic but fails to choose a side AND is very weak. The use of cell phone in restaurants must be banned immediately. The second example restates the topic (cell phone use in restaurants), AND chooses a side (should be banned).

SAMPLE THESIS STATEMENTS Writing Topic: The local school system is considering requiring high school students to wear school uniforms. They believe it will improve student attention, academic success, morale, and reduce violence. Write a persuasive letter to the local school board arguing either for or against school uniforms.

Thesis (against school uniforms) BAD: Students should not have to wear them. GOOD: It is imperative that the local school system immediately dismiss current plans to force students to wear uniforms. Thesis (for school uniforms) BAD: I agree with the school system. GOOD: It is critical that the local school system take immediate steps to implement a much needed schoolwide uniforms policy for students.

SAMPLE THESIS STATEMENTS Writing Topic: Several local legislators believe that teen drivers should not receive a license before the age of eighteen. They believe that increasing the legal driving age to eighteen will reduce teen accidents and death rates. Write a persuasive newspaper article arguing either for or against increasing the legal driving age to eighteen.

Thesis (against license before the age of eighteen) BAD: This idea is just ridiculous. GOOD: The local legislators must take immediate steps to ensure that a law preventing teen drivers from receiving a license until the age of eighteen is never enacted. Thesis (for license at the age of eighteen) BAD: I disagree with this opinion because students need their license. GOOD: A law preventing teen drivers from obtaining a license until the age of eighteen should be enacted as soon as possible.

MUST BE ONE SENTENCE IN LENGTH 4

Do not exceed ONE sentence for your thesis statement. Begin your first body paragraph IMMEDIATELY after the thesis statement. A thesis STATEMENT is always a STATEMENT—never a question.

RULES LAST SENTENCE OF 1 ST PARAGRAPH PICK A SIDE—AND STICK WITH IT RESTATE THE TOPIC MUST BE ONE SENTENCE IN LENGTH RULES