Thesis Statements A thesis is a statement that tells the reader the topic of your entire paper. Basic Five Paragraph Essay: Introduction Lead Background Information Preview of Main Points Thesis Statement Body Paragraph #1 Body Paragraph #2 Body Paragraph #3 Conclusion

Thesis Tips An effective thesis has a subject and a position. One of the easiest ways to create a strong thesis is to take the prompt question and turn it into a statement! You must have the author and title of the literary work in your thesis statement or in your introduction preceding the thesis statement! Take out “filler words”—I think, etc. Use strong word choice! Be general enough that you can fit support underneath your thesis.

Example Thesis Statement Prompt: Identify and explain how the theme “loss of innocence” works within the novel To Kill a Mockingbird. Thesis Statement: Scout and Jem Finch, the main characters in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, experience a loss of innocence when they encounter prejudice and realize the world is not always a just place.