THESIS STATEMENT SYNTHESIS Creating a thesis that concretely outlines your argumentative essay.

What is a Thesis Statement?  A thesis statement is an outline for your essay. It allows the reader to understand what your position is on the topic, and what to expect from your essay.  Essentially, a thesis statement is a blueprint for your essay. It is the building map that you will follow in your writing.

What does a thesis statement look like?  Although a thesis statement can be more than one sentence, for the purpose of this class, we are going to keep things as simple as we can. Your thesis statement should be ONE, very clear organized statement sentence.  For example:  Holy Cross Collegiate School is the best school in the world because it consistently posts higher achievement averages than the province of Alberta, the teachers are very caring, and the students are very kind. Legend Black = Argument Red = 1 st Supporting Topic Blue = 2 nd Supporting Topic Green = 3 rd Supporting Topic

Gather Sources  Before we actually write or thesis, we need to find credible sources that provide evidence for your argument. The more sources you have, the more persuasive your essay will be.  These sources can be:  News Articles  Pictures  Statistics  Graphs or Charts  Statements by professionals

Pick a side  You MUST choose a position on the topic. If you do not, then your argument will be unclear and unpersuasive.  You may not always completely agree with what you choose to argue. This is irrelevant, if you choose a side, and provide clear evidence, then your essay has the potential to be great.

Three Key Supporting Arguments  Your arguments will be weaker or stronger based on the amount of convincing evidence you have for each topic. Remember, the sources must be credible and legitimate.  1 st supporting topic should be your second strongest.  2 nd supporting topic is your weakest.  3 rd supporting topic is your strongest.  The order that you place your topics in, in your thesis, is the same way they will appear in your essay.

Practice Time

To what extent has Tim Horton’s in Strathmore boosted local consumerism?  Tim Horton’s has/has not increased local consumerism due to 1._____________, 2.______________ and 3.___________________.

To what extent has Grade 9 helped to further the learning of those students at Holy Cross Collegiate?  Grade 9 has/has not helped further student learning at Holy Cross Collegiate by 1.______________, 2.________________ and 3.____________________.

To what extend does daily physical activity increase overall health?  Daily physical activity does increase overall health by 1._____________, 2.________________ and 3.___________________  Daily physical activity does increase overall health, however 1.______________, 2._______________ and 3.___________________

To what extent has Apple contributed to the advancement of personal technology?  Apple has/has not contributed to the advancement of personal technology because of 1._____________, 2.________________ and 3.___________________

To what extent has the current global economic state affected the citizens of the world? Topic Question for your Thesis Statement:

To what extent is the Youth Criminal Justice Act, fair and equitable for youth in Canada? Topic Question 2