1. Writing a Thesis StatementOR
Making a Roadmap of Your Essay

2. What is a Thesis Statement?
A thesis statement is something you write AFTER you have done some preliminary research on your topic.
You cannot develop a good thesis statement without doing some research, because the thesis develops OUT OF the research

3. Definition that contains one main idea. This idea controls
A thesis statement is a complete sentence
that contains one main idea. This idea controls
the content of the entire essay. A thesis
statement that contains subpoints also helps a
reader know how the essay will be organized.
Look at the introductory paragraph below. See
if you can identify the thesis statement and
subpoints.

4. Where is the Thesis Statement?
Psychologists have argued for decades about how a person’s character is formed. Numerous psychologists believe that one’s birth order (i.e. place in the family as the youngest, oldest, or middle child) has the greatest influence. Birth order can have a significant impact in the formation of a child’s character regardless of the number of children in the family. Birth order can strongly affect one’s relationship with parents, relationships with others, and how one views responsibility as an adult.
Subpoints in the thesis or nearby help the reader know how the essay will be organized
The thesis statement contains the main idea that controls the content of the essay.

5. Key Features of the Thesis Statement
Answers a FOCUS QUESTION
Takes a stand on an issue
Can be backed up with evidence
Expresses ONE main idea
Is narrow and specific
Is written as a 1-2 sentence STATEMENT, not a question
Is usually at the end of the introduction

6. Your Thesis Statement for the ISU
Must make a specific claim about the topic you are researching (i.e. Environmental activism has had a significant positive impact on the world.)
Must include a Statement of Evidence to identify, on average, three cases/points etc. to prove this claim

7. Starting from Scratch…..
Let’s say that you are interested in writing about sugar and how much children consume. Your thesis development might look like this:
Sugar Consumption
Experts think half of elementary school children consume 9 x’s the daily recommended sugar.
How Should Schools Reduce Student
Sugar Consumption
Because half of elementary school children consume nine times the daily recommended allowance of sugar, schools should have to replace beverages in soda machines with healthy alternatives.
More attention should be paid to food and beverage choice of elementary students.