1. Instruction and THROW DOWN!
Thesis Statement
Instruction and THROW DOWN!

2. Your THESIS statement is the…
Most important sentence in your research paper
Assertion or claim you spend your entire essay proving and supporting
Glue that holds the parts of your essay together and creates unity

3. What’s in a THESIS? When writing about a text, include:
Title of the text
Author’s full name
Main assertion or claim
If you are writing a structured academic essay, include your three main points in your thesis.

4. Examples: Label the Parts of a Thesis
In Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus, Scout, and Mrs. Dubose demonstrate courage in the face of adversity.
In Maya Angelou’s early autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, her identity is shaped by the constant movement between homes, sexual abuse, and teenage pregnancy.

5. Examples: Label the Parts of a Thesis
People should support the charity Farm Africa because of the organization’s beliefs, commitment to education, and improvements in agricultural practices.
Gamer’s Life, a charity designed to make video games accessible to hospitalized children, makes the world better because video games relieve stress, improve eye-hand coordination, and teach empathy.

6. Length and Placement Your thesis statement should be… One sentence
The last line of your introduction paragraph
Approximately 25 words or less
Clear, concise, and powerful
A guide for understanding the structure of your essay
Order the three points in thesis statement to match the order of your body paragraphs in your essay.

7. Thesis Statement Throw Down!
You will have 3 minutes to write the best thesis statement for the following prompt:

8. Should teachers stop assigning homework?
Thesis Prompt #1
Should teachers stop assigning homework?

9. Should energy drinks be regulated?
Thesis Prompt #2
Should energy drinks be regulated?

10. Should South Dakota require a higher age limit to drive?
Thesis Prompt #3
Should South Dakota require a higher age limit to drive?

11. Should schools limit cell phone use?
Thesis Prompt #4
Should schools limit cell phone use?