Thesis Statement and Topic Sentence Revision Review

What is a Thesis Statement? A thesis statement is a declarative sentence that gives the main point of an essay. The thesis statement uses words from the question or prompt. It is very important to locate these key words and weave them into the thesis statement.

What is a Topic Sentence? A topic sentence is a declarative statement that gives the focus of only one paragraph. The topic sentence uses words from the question or prompt just as the thesis statement does. It is very important to locate these key words and weave them into the topic sentence. However, the topic sentence only includes the point of a particular paragraph.

How Do I Create a Thesis Statement? First, read the prompt or question several times. Then, underline the key words in the prompt. What is it really asking? Use the prompt to determine the point of view required. Think about what pronouns if any can be used. Now, create a declarative sentence using those key words. Check to make sure that it is a complete thought.

Test Yourself – Find the Key Words Read the prompt several times. Ask yourself, “What does this prompt want me to write about?” Then, identify the key words. Write them down on a scrap piece of paper. What three meals should be served weekly in the school cafeteria? Why?

Check Your Answers – Finding Key Words Three Meals Weekly Cafeteria

Writing the Thesis – Point of View Now that the keys words have been identified, they need developed into a declarative sentence. First, though, analyze the prompt to determine if the essay should be first person or third person. If it is to be first person, the prompt will ask for your personal opinion or input. If that is not asked of the writer, then the essay will be in third person.

Test Yourself – Point of View Read the prompt again. Does it ask for your personal viewpoint? What three meals should be served weekly in the school cafeteria? Why? Is this essay to be first person or third person?

Check Your Answer – Point of View Third person

To Write the Thesis Now that the key words have been decided and the point of view established, the thesis needs to be created. It must be one sentence that is declarative. Since it is the most important sentence in the essay, it should use good words. Try to include an action verb. Do not use the words “this,” “that,” “these,” “those,” “there,” or “here” if they are followed by a linking verb.

Test Yourself – Writing the Thesis Look at the key words- three, meals, weekly, cafeteria. Think about the point of view – third Think about an action verb that will build the sentence. Now, on separate paper, write the thesis statement.

Check Your Answer – Writing the Thesis Here are some possible answers. Three particular meals should be served weekly in the school cafeteria. The school cafeteria should serve three special meals weekly. The school cafeteria should serve pizza, lasagna, and steak hoagies every week.

Writing the Topic Sentence Writing a topic sentence is just like writing a thesis statement. The same steps need followed. However, the topic sentence is about just one paragraph. The topic sentence should be simple and declarative. The topic sentence must not contain any details. Save those for the sentences that will follow the topic sentence in the body of the paragraph.

Test Yourself – Writing a Topic Sentence Consider this prompt – What school supplies should every student have to begin the school year? Explain the three that are most valuable. The essay would be five paragraphs since the prompt asks for three supplies. Each body paragraph would focus on a different school supply. On your scrap paper, write down the key words from the prompt.

Check Your Answer – Key Words School supplies Every student Begin the school year Valuable

Avoid Announcing The thesis statement should not announce to the reader what the writing will do. Avoid phrases like “the following paragraphs will explain” or “I will tell….” Read this thesis restatement. On scrap paper, rewrite it to remove the announcing. I can give many reasons as to why people should watch the show NCIS.

Check Your Answer - Announcing People should watch NCIS for many reasons. Many reasons explain why people should watch NCIS.

Write the Topic Sentence The topic sentence must be a single declarative sentence. It must be limited to just using the key words. No extra details can be included. Try to use a strong action verb. Do not use the words “this,” “that,” “these,” “those,” “there,” or “here” if they are followed by a linking verb.

Test Yourself – Build the Sentence Build the sentence. First, think of the key words - School supplies, every student, begin the school year, valuable Consider the point of view. Remember, the topic sentence is about a single paragraph, so only one school supply must be named. On your scrap paper, write the topic sentence.

Check Your Answer – The Topic Sentence Here are some possible answers. A valuable school supply every student should have to begin the school year is a binder. To begin the school year, every student would find a pencil to be a valuable tool.

Practice ! On scrap paper, create a thesis statement for this prompt. What would be your ultimate birthday gift? Why do you want this particular item? Explain.

Check Your Sentence A new iPhone would be the ultimate birthday gift for me. The ultimate birthday gift for me would be a new computer.

Practice! On scrap paper, create a thesis statement for this prompt. A local school is considering taking a field trip. What three places should the school consider? Why would these places be ideal for students to experience?

Check Your Sentence Check Your Sentence Meadowcroft Village, Fort Ligonier, and The Carnegie Museum are three ideal places for students to experience in a field trip. Local students should experience three places for ideal field trips.

Correct the Thesis Statement On scrap paper rewrite the thesis statement to remove the words that should not be included. There are three vegetables that every child should eat.

Check Your Answer Every child should eat three particular vegetables. Broccoli, carrots, and asparagus are three vegetables every child should eat.

Correct This Thesis Statement Read this thesis statement. It is written in first person but should be in third person. On a scrap piece of paper, re-write the thesis statement. I know that I participate in cheer and every student should participate in this activity.

Check Your Answer Every student should participate in cheerleading. Now that you have completed this review, get a review quiz from your teacher. Take the quiz and return it to her. Then, access your essay on google docs. Look at the comments about thesis statements and topic sentences. Make any corrections on the document. Then, get your rubric from your folder. Take the rubric and computer to your teacher to add points back to your essay score.