1. Thesis
the 3D Experience
Direction
Delivery and
Diction

2. State Standards Vocabulary
Thesis Defined
A statement of your point of view on a topic.
The thesis statement is usually 1 sentence in length and it serves as a summary of the argument you'll make in the rest of your paper.
The Thesis of your paper should serve as a mirror for the rest of paper

3. Thesis Statement Why is a Thesis Statement Important?
It tells the reader how you will interpret the significance of the subject matter under discussion.
It acts as a road map for the paper; in other words, it tells the reader what to expect from the rest of the paper.
In movies, like Avatar, the thesis is often not expressly given to the viewer until near the end of the movie (and often closely linked to the theme)

4. The THESIS Checklist
It introduces the focus and purpose of the ENTIRE paper without announcing it.
It hooks the reader.
It plants questions in the readers' mind.
The Thesis Checklist
Like a human linked with his avatar, a thesis sentence must be linked with the rest of your essay.

5. The THESIS Checklist It uses thought-provoking words.
It is usually the LAST sentence of the FIRST paragraph
It provides a transition that fits all other paragraphs in the paper.
The Thesis Checklist, CONT

6. Thesis, Subject and Topic
The thesis directly answers the TOPIC asked of you. A thesis is an interpretation of a question or subject, not the subject itself.
The subject of an essay might be World War II or Moby Dick; a thesis must then offer a way to understand the war or the novel.
The rest of the paper, the body of the essay, gathers and organizes evidence that will persuade the reader of the logic of your thesis
The Thesis acts as the centerpiece of your paper. It is the Mother Tree through which all other things are linked.

7. The Thesis Exchange:
The Journey from
Topic to Thesis

8. The Thesis Exchange
Using your notes as a guideline, create powerful thesis statements for a variety of topics.
Copy each topic down.
Based on the criteria of the topic, create your own powerful thesis statement.

9. The Thesis Exchange
Topic: Write an analysis of some aspect of high school.
WEAK THESIS: Centennial is a great high school.
STRONG THESIS: There are many different aspects of a high school that go into its success or failure, but the blood that pumps the heart of a school is the spirit of the students and staff.
YOUR THESIS:

10. The Thesis Exchange
Topic 2: Compare and contrast the reasons why high school is superior to junior high.
WEAK Thesis: Junior high school and high school are both fun for many reasons, some of which are the same and some different.
STRONG THESIS: High school is superior to junior high school because the freedom given to the students allows them to grow into productive citizens in the future.
YOUR THESIS:

11. The Thesis Exchange
Topic 3: Critically evaluate whether our school should have an off campus lunch policy.
Weak Thesis: Centennial High School’s decision not to have an off campus lunch policy is idiotic and asinine.
YOUR THESIS:

12. The Thesis Exchange
Topic 4: Select a heroic figure from film or from books that fits the ideal of courage and bravery and highlight the qualities that make this figure a worthy selection.
Weak Thesis: Batman’s fights with the Joker and Two-Face are violent and keep the viewer on the edge of their seats.
YOUR THESIS:

13. Topic 5
Topic 5: Reflect on a success in your own life that felt gratifying. Examine closely why this success meant so much to you.
Poor Thesis: Winning the County Championship was a great experience.
Strong Thesis:

14. Topic 6
Topic 6: Identify a major reason or reasons why security in America is valued with such high importance.
Weak Thesis: 9/11 changed the world forever.
Strong Thesis: