3. The super-focused, super- awesome, ROCKSTAR sentence.

4. 1.) The statement of purpose for the essay
What is a thesis statement?
1.) The statement of purpose for the essay
2. ) A road map for your essay
How do I write a thesis?
1.) Use key words from the prompt
2.) topic + position + reason/method

5. Let’s explore the formula a bit more.
Topic: What is the prompt focusing on?
Example: Write an essay explaining why it is important to learn.
Example: Write an essay explaining how health care saves lives.
Example: Write an essay explaining whether technology is necessary to survive.

6. Position: How do YOU feel about the topic? What is your stance or side?
Note: Expository writing doesn’t give you a whole lot of room to have an opinion. As a result, more often than not, the position is already given to you.
Example: Write an essay explaining why learning is important.
In this example, the prompt tells you learning is important. You don’t get to decide; therefore, your position on the topic is that learning is important.

7. Reason: your answer to the question posed in the prompt
Example: Write an essay explaining why it is important to learn.
Reason: to be successful in the future.
Example: Write an essay explaining how health care saves lives.
Reason: by providing necessary treatments
Example: Write an essay explaining whether technology is necessary to survive.
Reason: because we as a society do not know life without it and therefore do not possess survival skills.

8. topic + position + reason/method
SAMPLE PROMPT: Write an essay explaining why it is sometimes necessary to forgive.
topic + position + reason/method
WEAK THESIS: You should forgive because they feel bad.
BETTER THESIS: It is sometimes necessary to forgive because it isn’t good to hold a grudge.
STRONG THESIS: It is sometimes imperative to forgive others because holding onto anger only causes more pain.

9. In order to prevent this…
We must practice…

10. topic + position + reason/method
SAMPLE PROMPT #1: Write an essay explaining how eating fast food can be dangerous.
WEAK THESIS: Eating fast food is bad and should be avoided.
BETTER THESIS: Eating fast food is bad for a person’s health.
STRONG THESIS: Regularly consuming fast food is extremely dangerous because it can lead to serious health issues.
topic + position + reason/method

11. SAMPLE PROMPT #2: Write an essay explaining the importance of helping those in need.
Which thesis is weak? Better? Strong? How do you know?
1.) Helping others is the best thing to do because we don’t do enough to help.
2.) It is imperative to help those in need because it improves the community as a whole.
3.) There are high numbers of homeless people living on the streets and highways of cities big and large.

12. SAMPLE PROMPT #3: Write an essay explaining why homework shouldn’t be assigned.
WEAK THESIS: Homework is a lot of work.
BETTER THESIS: Homework shouldn’t be assigned because students are too busy with extracurricular activities.
STRONG THESIS (you try):

13. Thesis Statement
Why is a Thesis Statement Important?
Like a human linked with his avatar, a thesis statement must be linked with the rest of your essay.

14. Take out the following handout!