1. Thesis Statement
A what???

2. What is it A thesis statement:
A clearly defined opinion focusing on your topic
This helps the reader get an idea of what to expect
Can be open or closed
Open: The skills learned in English are useful tools that will be carried throughout your academic career and beyond.
Closed: English class provides skills that will help in school, extra-curricular activities, and even in the job field of your choice.

3. Where does it go? A thesis statement:
Must be mentioned in your introductory paragraph
Is typically the last sentence of the paragraph
May be second to last if you have a transitional sentence
Must be restated in your concluding paragraph
Do not write it the exact same (word for word)

4. Do I have to use one?
YES!

5. What does it look like? No: Yes: I am going to tell you about goiters.
If left untreated, goiters can be a serious problem that severely affect one’s everyday life.
My topic is Make-A-Wish.
Make-A-Wish is an organization that specifically works with children healing, health, hope, and happiness.

6. Which would be the better thesis statement?
The purpose of this paper is to give you a better understanding of 4-H, what it does, and how people can get involved.
4-H is an organization that focuses on learning by doing while providing a wide array of topics to appeal to all people and interests.

7. Thesis Statement Creation
Thesis Statement Video
Thesis Statement Quiz

8. Stuck yet? What is your topic? What are your subtopics?
What is one sentence that can summarize that information?
Write one sentence to summarize what you think your paper will be about.

9. What to avoid?
Do NOT:
Use the word or any form of I
Use the word or any from of you
Directly address the reader (usually is avoided by staying in 3rd person)
If you are stuck on what to use, replace I or you with one.
So instead of saying, “You can see the harmful effects it has on the main character.”
Say, “One can see the harmful effects it has on the main character.”