Thesis Statement Writing Workshop

What is a thesis statement? 4 It is an arguable statement. 4 It is a complete sentence that expresses your position/opinion on a given topic. 4 It narrows down your topic to a specific, single focus of investigation. 4 It establishes a direction for the entire paper. 4 It is usually stated in your introduction.

What is not a thesis statement? 4 A thesis is never a question; it could be the answer to a question. 4 A thesis is not an announcement of purpose. 4 A thesis is not simply a topic. 4 A thesis is not a fact.

Writing a Thesis A thesis has two parts A thesis has two parts Topic: the main subject to be discussed in the essay Topic: the main subject to be discussed in the essay Opinion: what the writer thinks about the main subject to be discussed (the topic) Opinion: what the writer thinks about the main subject to be discussed (the topic) Topic: Community College Students Opinion: Work diligently to pass class, to transfer to universities, and to earn four-year degrees. Thesis: Community college students work diligently to pass class, to transfer to universities, and to earn four-year degrees.

Determine whether the following is a good or poor thesis statement What causes violence in children? Poor A thesis statement is not a question!

Determine whether the following is a good or poor thesis statement The purpose of my paper is to identify the causes of violence. Poor A thesis is not an announcement of purpose!

Determine whether the following is a good or poor thesis statement The education system in the United States. Poor A thesis statement is not just a topic!

Determine whether the following is a good or poor thesis statement Teen pregnancy can be reduced with good education, parental support, and birth control. Yes, a thesis statement reflects a position!

Determine whether the following is a good or poor thesis statement I would like to discuss how teachers and students can develop better relationships. Poor A thesis is not an announcement of purpose!

Determine whether the following is a good or poor thesis statement I had squash, tomatoes, and corn in my garden last year. Poor A thesis statement is not too narrow!

Determine whether the following is a good or poor thesis statement Vegetable gardening can be a frustrating hobby. Yes, a thesis statement reflects a position!

Determine whether the following is a good or poor thesis statement Honesty and trust in the classroom. Poor A thesis statement is not just a topic!

Determine whether the following is a good or poor thesis statement Honesty and trust play an important role in successful teacher-student relationships. Yes, a thesis statement reflects a position!

Determine whether the following is a good or poor thesis statement Advertising has bad effects on all of society. Poor A thesis statement is not too broad!

Determine whether the following is a good or poor thesis statement What can be done to reduce violence in schools? Who is to blame-- the parents, the schools, or society in general? Poor A thesis statement is not a question!

Determine whether the following is a good or poor thesis statement Toy ads on television teach children to be greedy, competitive, and snobbish. Yes, a thesis statement reflects a position!

Strategy #1-Which Thesis is Best? Question: Who is the most valuable player in the NBA? Thesis 1: Does Lebron James’s ability to score makes him the league’s most valuable player? Thesis 2: Lebron James’s ability to score, pass, and rebound make him the league’s most valuable player. Thesis 3: Lebron James’s ability to score, pass, and rebound just might make him the league’s most valuable player.

Question: Who is the most valuable player in the NBA? Thesis 2: Lebron James’s ability to score, pass, and rebound make him the league’s most valuable player. Does the thesis: 1) Answer the question? Yes, gives a MVP Yes, gives a MVP 2) Take a position. Yes, James is the MVP Yes, James is the MVP 3) Mention the topics for your supporting paragraphs. Yes, score, pass and rebound Yes, score, pass and rebound Strategy #1

BAD Direct democracy is the best for my country because of the people power and the country is small. Why is it bad? How can it be improved? Our Project Example Question: Which government is the best for your country?

Good Direct democracy is the best form of government for Montclair because the size of the country is relative to the system requirements, the ruling power of Montclair is distributed equally, and the economic functions of Montclair are a benefit for the citizens. Why is it good? How was it improved? Our Project Example Question: Which government is the best for your country?

What does a good thesis do? Answers the question Takes a position Gives topics for paragraphs The road to a great essay starts with an excellent thesis!

The 3 Rules of a Good Thesis 1) Answers the question. Be specific. Be specific. 2) Takes a position. The reader should be able to agree or disagree with your position. The reader should be able to agree or disagree with your position. 3) Mentions the topics for your supporting paragraphs. Tell how your paper is going to be organized. Tell how your paper is going to be organized.

More Ideas for a Good Thesis Don’t ask a question Don’t ask a question Don’t use first or second person – I, you, we Don’t use first or second person – I, you, we Don’t use qualifiers that make you sound uncertain such as might, maybe, perhaps, etc. Don’t use qualifiers that make you sound uncertain such as might, maybe, perhaps, etc. Don’t use absolute qualifiers that mean everything, all, none, always, never. These are too hard to prove! Don’t use absolute qualifiers that mean everything, all, none, always, never. These are too hard to prove! Don’t use “to be” verbs – am, are, is, was, were, be, being, been. They aren’t descriptive enough. Don’t use “to be” verbs – am, are, is, was, were, be, being, been. They aren’t descriptive enough. Do use relative qualifiers which show real-world variation such as often, primarily, frequently, too often, regularly, some, many, most. These are much easier to prove! Do use relative qualifiers which show real-world variation such as often, primarily, frequently, too often, regularly, some, many, most. These are much easier to prove!

In other words… Words to Avoid: I, you, we I, you, we might might maybe maybe perhaps perhaps all all none none always always never never am, are, is, was, am, are, is, was, were, be, being, been were, be, being, been Words to Use: often primarily frequently too often regularly some many most

- Write your thesis statement for your 5 paragraph essay - remember to make sure your opinion and discussion points are as specific as can be! GOOD Now its your turn!