So, what is a thesis statement?

1. So, what is a thesis statement? Easy steps in learning how to create top notch thesis statements!

2. A thesis statement is… • …the last sentence of your introductory paragraph that tells the reader what your essay is going to be about. • …a sentence that presents your argument to the reader. (What are you trying to prove?) • …one that addresses specific issues and not a broad/general idea. • …a sentence that takes a stand!!!

3. Why do I need a thesis statement? • A thesis statement gives your paper: • Direction • Focus • It grabs the reader’s attention • It limits/restricts what can be discussed (so the writer doesn’t babble on and on and on and on about irrelevant information) • It tells the reader what they can expect when reading your paper

5. What do I need to remember? • Great essays begin with great intro paragraphs and great thesis statements!! • Mr. Bever will judge you and your work ethic based on your thesis statement! • A thesis statement explains “why” • Don’t just say, “Abortion is wrong.” Tell me why it’s wrong… and be specific. • A thesis statement that isbarelyone line is too short.

7. What a thesis statement is not! • A thesis statement is not a title • “Prayer in public schools” (what about it?) • Try this instead: “Taking away prayer in public schools is unconstitutional because it violates our First Amendment righttofree speech.” • “The best football player ever” (who is it, what about him?) • Try this instead: “Brett Favre is arguably one of the greatest football players of all time because of his ability to make his teammates better every day.” • “Smoking in the home is child abuse” (why?) • YOU TRY IT!

8. What a thesis statement is not! • A thesis statement cannot be a fact! • You can’t argue a fact. You’ll spend your entire essay proving something that is already true. • BAD: “LeBron James left the Cleveland Cavaliers to play for the Miami Heat.” (What are you trying to say here?) • BETTER: “LeBron James will not go down as one of the greatest players in NBA history because he couldn’t win a championship on his own.”

10. Thesis statements? • Fact or observation (BAD): • People use many lawn chemicals. • Thesis (GOOD): • People are poisoning the environment with chemicals merely to keep their lawns clean. • Announcement (BAD): • The thesis of this paper is the difficulty of solving our environmental problems. • Thesis (GOOD): • Solving our environmental problems is more difficult than many environmentalists believe.

11. Thesis Statements? • Title (BAD): • Social Security and Old Age. • Thesis (GOOD): • Continuing changes in the Social Security System makes it almost impossible to plan intelligently for one’s retirement. • Broad (BAD): • The American steel industry has many problems. • Thesis (GOOD): • The primary problem in the American steel industry is the lack of funds to renovate outdated plants and equipment

13. Thesis statements? • People are too selfish. • Crime must be stopped. • The United States economy is a mess. • Dan Brown’s historical fiction novels are really good. • Drug addiction has caused a huge increase in violence and crimes. • George Orwell is the author of the amazing book Animal Farm.