1. Thesis Statements
The summary sentence that supports your opinions and ideas
The LAST sentence in the introduction

2. Why should your essay contain a Thesis Statement?
To put your main ideas into one summary sentence
To better organize and develop the opinion/argument of your essay
To provide your reader with a “map” to your essay

3. How to Generate a Thesis Statement
The thesis should answer a single question that will give the main idea of your essay.

4. Example
Question: “What are the potential benefits of using computers in a seventh grade class?”
Answer/THESIS: “The potential benefits of using computers in a seventh grade class are …” (2 reasons/ideas)

5. Turn the Question into a THESIS
Question: Should middle schools serve soda at lunch?
Answer: Middle schools should not serve soda at lunch because of soda’s high sugar content which contributes to poor nutrition and bad behavior in class.

6. Thesis for your paper
What question are you supposed to answer for your essay?
Question 1: What’s the theme of __________________ by ________________ ?
Question 2: When does this theme develop?

8. Write your thesis statement
Example
Should cell phones be allowed in school?
On your paper brainstorm 2 reasons why cell phones should or should not be allowed at school.
Write your thesis statement

9. Cell phones should be allowed in school because REASON 1, and REASON 2.

10. Homework Why is a good education crucial for being successful in life?
Should schools keep detentions or eliminate them?
Should middle schools serve soda to students at lunch?
Should teachers on Team 802 give homework?
Should schools change to year round school?