1. How to Write a Thesis! Research Edition

2. Thesis Writing Remember: Remember: Your thesis is the MOST important part of your paper! Your thesis is the MOST important part of your paper! It tells the reader exactly what you are going to talk about/ argue in your essay. It tells the reader exactly what you are going to talk about/ argue in your essay. It is ALWAYS the last sentence of your intro paragraph. It is ALWAYS the last sentence of your intro paragraph.

3. Thesis for Research Your thesis must state your opinion on the issue without using 1 st person (I, me, my, we…etc). Your thesis must state your opinion on the issue without using 1 st person (I, me, my, we…etc). BAD: I believe the death penalty provides the best form of justice in our judicial system. BAD: I believe the death penalty provides the best form of justice in our judicial system. GOOD: The death penalty provides the best form of justice in our judicial system. GOOD: The death penalty provides the best form of justice in our judicial system.

4. What Your Thesis Should Say Your thesis should state the three points you are going to discuss in your paper. 3 paragraphs = 3 points Ex: Capital punishment is unnecessary in our society because it continues the idea of killing, it doesn’t allow for rehabilitation, and it is mean.

5. Use strong, active verbs! Each point in your thesis should include a strong verb. Avoid “be” verbs (is, are, was, were, being…). Ex: Capital punishment is unnecessary in our society because it continues the idea of killing, it doesn’t allow for rehabilitation, and it promotes cruelty.

6. Use parallel structure! All three points should use the same phrasal format. Compare this BAD example to the good one on the previous slide: Capital punishment is unnecessary in our society because it continues the idea of killing, rehabilitation is not possible, and promotion of cruelty.

7. Practice evaluating these thesis statements. Write good or bad for each statement. If it’s bad, explain why. 1. 1. Church and state should remain separate because our country was founded on freedom of religion, many different religions exist in our nation, and only human logic should determine public policy.

8. 2. 2. I believe organs should not be bought and sold because all patients should have equal access to organs, no one should gain wealth from the sale of human tissue, and organ transfer should occur as quickly as possible. 3. 3. Government regulations do not help reduce water pollution because our agencies lack the manpower to enforce regulations, powerful industries use loopholes to avoid regulations, and governments do not cooperate to solve this global problem.

9. 4. Increased security has helped to curb school violence because officers catch criminals in the act, who do not want criminal records, and students will stay away if they know security is present. 5. Materialism does not help the economy because only rich people are materialistic and benefit, and it does not reflect valid economic principles.

10. Use this form to write your thesis! _____________ is ____________ because it ______________, ______________, and ______________. This thesis statement is subject to revising and editing and needs to be approved by Ms. Spradley approved by Ms. Spradley (your topic)(your opinion) (reason #1) (reason #2) (reason #3)