1. How To Write a Thesis Statement

2. Thesis Statement A Thesis Statement is: A Thesis Statement is NOT:
ONE complete sentence
Title
Phrase
A statement of topic and a comment on that topic with reasons to support the comment.
Statements of fact

3. Useful Definitions
Topic: the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
Comment: a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief about the topic
Three-Prong Thesis Statement: ONE sentence stating the topic, comment of opinion/belief, and three reasons (three-prongs) supporting your opinion/belief to be discussed in detail in your research paper.

4. Building A Thesis Statement
From your topic, you need to ask a question about it, research the topic based on the question, discover your opinion/belief about it, and think of 3 ways/3 whys to prove your opinion/belief.

5. 3 Ways/Whys of the Three-Prong Thesis
As you research, read, and process the logic of different viewpoints, you should begin to discover your opinion/belief on the topic question (Spoiler – it may change from what you first thought!).

6. My Example: TOPIC: Teacher salaries
QUESTION: Should teacher salaries be increased?
RESEARCH: (Okay, I kinda already have an opinion on this topic and question…)
OPINION: Teacher salaries should be increased.
3 WAYS/3 WHYS: 1) hours they work
2) responsibilities
3) contributions to the community

7. STREAMLINED TOPIC: Teacher salaries
OPINION/BELIEF: should be increased
3 WHYS (note order):
hours they work
responsibilities
contributions to the community

8. An example of a three-prong thesis statement
In a good thesis statement you can place a back-slash (/) between where the topic ends and the comment on the topic begins.
Indicates an opinion is about to be shared
Topic of the paper
Teacher salaries/should be increased because of the hours they work, their responsibilities, and their contributions to the community. #2 #3
3 WHYS to support my opinion of the topic #1

9.
(3:43)

10. Worth the $ or too expensive Professional Athlete Salaries
Your Turn To Try
School uniforms
Yes or No
Cost of college
Worth the $ or too expensive
Professional Athlete Salaries
Too high, too low, or just right?

12. With a partner, think of at least one reason for each topics possible opinions/beliefs.
Be ready to share your reasons.

14. EXAMPLE TOPIC: QUESTION: OPINION/BELIEF: WHY reasons (THREE-PRONGS):
THREE-PRONG THESIS STATEMENT:
School uniforms
Should schools require uniforms for students?
should be required for students
Parents will spend less money on school clothes
Students will have an easier time deciding what to wear to school
Students will endure less bullying over fashion labels
School uniforms should be required for students because parents will spend less money on school clothes, students will have an easier time deciding what to wear to school, and students will endure less bullying over fashion labels.

15. Topic + opinion + (transition) + 3 whys/3 ways =
FORMULA FOR A THESIS STATEMENT
Topic + opinion + (transition) + 3 whys/3 ways =
THESIS STATEMENT
School uniforms should be required for students because parents will spend less money on school clothes, students will have an easier time deciding what to wear to school, and students will endure less bullying over fashion labels.

16. Your Turn To Try The Other Two
Step 1: What is the topic? (college cost, then professional athlete salaries)
Step 2: What question are you asking?
Step 3: (Pretend research) What is your opinion of your topic question?
Step 4: What are 3 whys/3 ways you can support your opinion?
Step 5: Piece together your thesis statement

17. YOUR TURN TO TRY THE OTHER TWO
TOPIC:
QUESTION:
OPINION/COMMENT:
3 WHY reasons (THREE-PRONGS):
Reason
THESIS STATEMENT:
Topic+opinion+(transition)+reason,reason,and reason.

18. Your Turn To Try The Other Two
For ONE of your thesis statements:
circle the topic
place a back slash (/) between the topic and the comment,
underline your opinion, and
number the three reasons to support your opinion.
With a partner, SWITCH PAPERS and follow the above for their remaining thesis statement.

19. School uniforms / should be required for students because parents will spend less money on school clothes, students will have an easier time deciding what to wear to school, and students will endure less bullying over fashion labels. 1 2 3
circle the topic
place a back slash (/) between the topic and the comment,
underline your opinion, and
number the three reasons to support your opinion.