1. Thesis Statements

2. What is a thesis statement? A thesis statement is the main idea of an essay. It is often a point you want to argue or support in an essay. SO The thesis statement explains to a reader the main idea of the essay, and the writers opinion on that idea.

3. A thesis statement should contain a topic (main idea of what you are writing about) contain an opinion about the topic (what your attitude is toward the topic)

4. Thesis statements avoid the following: the first person (I believe, In my opinion, etc.) Ambiguous/unclear language (It seems, good, rather, etc.)

5. A thesis statement should not be too broad. Too Broad The world is a magnificent place to live. Better Good teachers make Red Mountain High School fantastic school.

6. Which sentence is too broad to be a good thesis statement? A. One reason to live in Mesa is convenient access to many outdoor activities. B. Mesa is a great place to live.

7. Too Broad Mesa is a great place to live. Mesa is a great place to live.

8. A thesis statement should not be too wordy. Wordy Some problems with Salk Elementary School is that it needs a larger playground, an air conditioned gym, an auditorium, restrooms connected to each classroom, running water in the classrooms, and a number of other physical changes to the building. Better Salk Elementary needs several changes to its facility to make it a better school.

9. Which sentence is too wordy to be a good thesis statement? A. Abe Lincoln was one of the best presidents the United States has ever known. B. Abe Lincoln was an excellent speaker, the 16 th President of the United States, a liberator of slaves, and united the North and South at the end of the American Civil War.

10. Too Wordy Abe Lincoln was an excellent speaker, the 16 th President of the United States, a liberator of slaves, and united the North and South at the end of the American Civil War.

11. A thesis statement should not be too general. Too general Freemont Junior High is a good school. Better Daily writing practice has led to improved writing skills for the students at Freemont Junior High.

12. Which sentence is too general to be a good thesis statement? A. Music makes people happy. B. Music therapy is useful in relieving stress and other conditions.

13. Too general Music makes people happy.

14. A thesis statement should not be a title. A title Cost of Living Better The cost of living in Mesa is lower than in most other cities in the United States.

15. Which sentence would not be a good thesis statement because it is a title? A. Good teaching has led to an increase in AIMS scores at Red Mountain High School. B. Rising AIMS Scores at Red Mountain High School.

16. A Title Rising AIMS Scores at Red Mountain High School

17. A thesis statement should not be a a fact. A fact The average temperature for Mesa in winter is72 and in summer is 108 degrees. Better The winter climate in Mesa is ideal for outdoor sports.

18. Which sentence would not be a good thesis statement because it is a fact? A. The recycling of one aluminum can saves enough energy to run a TV for three hours. B. Recycling is one of the most important jobs a person can do to protect our environment.

19. A Fact The recycling of one aluminum can saves enough energy to run a TV for three hours.

20. More Practice Explain the strength or weakness of each Thesis.

21. 1. Although most people believe otherwise, bats are harmless and highly beneficial.

22. 2.In this essay I will discuss the crime rate in Phoenix, Arizona.

23. 3.Energetic exercise is a good way to help relieve stress.

24. 4.Arizona and California differ in many ways.

25. 5.This paper will consider the advantages and disadvantages of students having nightly homework.

26. 6.Hate speech should be eliminated for many reasons.

27. Homework ENDS Here

28. In each of the following slides Identify the BETTER Thesis and be ready to explain WHY

29. Good or Bad 1. The problem with horror movies. 2. Todays movies do not have the emotional impact of the classic horror movies of the 1940s.

30. Good or Bad 3. Rap music is the best music ever. 4. Although many people find rap music offensive, it has had a positive impact on todays youth.

31. Good or Bad 5. I enjoy whitewater rafting. 6. The first whitewater rafting trip can challenge a person both in body and spirit.

32. Good or Bad 7. High school students are busy; they have a lot to do in a day. 8. The life of a typical high school student is challenging due to the need to succeed in extracurricular activities.

33. Good or Bad 9. Community service projects include building shelter for the homeless, servicing meals to the hungry, providing transportation for the sick, distributing clothes, and a large number of other helpful activities. 10. Community service should be a requirement for high school graduation.