Writing Thesis Statements

1. Writing Thesis Statements 10th Grade English

2. Use Language From the Prompt • Determine the question that the prompt is asking. Use key words from the question to begin your thesis statement. • Example:Q: “What are the potential benefits of using computers in a fourth-grade class?” • A: “The potential benefits of using computers in a fourth-grade class are . . .” • OR • A: “Using computers in a fourth-grade class promises to improve . . .”

3. Include a Definite Statement • Select a position in your thesis statements that you can argue wholeheartedly. Avoid vague or wishy-washy language that will leave your readers guessing about your position. Express one main idea.Example:Topic: Reducing sugar consumption by elementary school children.Thesis: More attention should be paid to the food and beverage choices available to elementary school children.

4. Create an Arguable Claim • You should be sure that it is a claim that can be argued. Your thesis statement should not include facts because they cannot argue with facts. Instead, it should reflect an opinion that you plan to argue with specific reasons and examples in the body of your essay.

5. Create Parameters and Outline the Essay • Preview your arguments for the reader. Do not explain them or provide evidence until you go into more depth in each body paragraph. Simply provide a roadmap for your reader. Example:Because half of all American elementary school children consume nine times the recommended daily allowance of sugar, schools should be required to replace the beverages in soda machines with healthy alternatives.

6. Strong Thesis Statement Traits • Takes some sort of stand on an issue. • Requires discussion. • Expresses one main idea. • Is specific. • Uses academic language. • Makes an assertion based on clearly stated support.

7. Strong Vs. Weak Thesis Statements • Directions: Evaluate each of the following statements as strong or weak, and then explain your reasoning. • There are some negative and positive aspects to the Banana Herb Tea Supplement. • Because Banana Herb Tea Supplement promotes rapid weight loss that results in the loss of muscle and lean body mass, it poses a potential danger to customers. • My family is an extended family. • While most American families would view consanguineal marriage as a threat to the nuclear family structure, many Iranian families, like my own, believe that these marriages help reinforce kinship ties in an extended family. • Companies need to exploit the marketing potential of the Internet, and Web pages can provide both advertising and customer support. • Because the Internet is filled with tremendous marketing potential, companies should exploit this potential by using Web pages that offer both advertising and customer support. • World hunger has many causes and effects. • Hunger persists in Glandelinia because jobs are scarce and farming in the infertile soil is rarely profitable.

8. Choose a Thesis Statements • A bully is a person who is mean or hurtful to others. Bullies often use a combination of threats and shame to annoy others. Bullies may hurt others physically by hitting, kicking or pushing. They may also be mean by calling names, teasing, leaving a kid out of the group on purpose, or scaring others. Some bullies many even threaten people or try to make people do things they don't want to do. • Which sentence is the best thesis statement for this paragraph?a) There are many characteristics of Bullies.b) A bully is a person who harasses a weaker peer physically, mentally, or socially.c) Bullying is generally a repeated, aggressive, and negative behavior that is done by a person to have power over another.d) One form of bullying is spreading gossip.

9. Choose a Thesis Statement • Bullying is a problem that affects many kids. Bullies may cause a person to feel scared, worried, or embarrassed. The stress of being bullied may even make a person feel physically ill. Having a bully around may make a person afraid to go to the restroom, lunchroom, or be in other social areas. Worrying about a bully may affect a person's ability to concentrate on schoolwork. • Which sentence is the thesis statement for this paragraph?a) Persistent bullying may have a number of negatives effects on an individual including social anxiety, physical symptoms, and negative effects on motivations in schoolwork.b) On March 21, 1993 Curtis Taylor committed suicide after being bullied for three years.c) In the 1990s, the United States witnessed many school shootings which were connected to bullying.d) Bullying is a bad behavior that must end.

10. Choose a Thesis Statement • People become bullies for a number of reasons. Some are looking for attention. They think that bullying is a way to be more popular. By being a bully a person is trying to make himself feel more powerful. Some bullies come from families in which name calling and pushing others around is a normal way to act. These bullies are just copying what they have learned from home. • Which sentence is the thesis statement for this paragraph?a) People have different opinions about the reasons others bully.b) People become bullies for all the all the wrong reasons.c) Eighty-five percent of the time another kid witnesses a bully acting out.d) People become bullies to gain attention, to become more popular, to feel power over others, and because they are copying behaviors of others.

11. Choose a Thesis Statement • Dealing with a bully may be difficult, but there are some things you can do. Sometimes you may turn a bully off just by acting brave. If you walk away, a bully will be less likely to give you trouble. You may also tell a bully to stop teasing or scaring someone else. Telling an adult is important. Teachers and parents can help. Go to lunch and other social areas with a buddy. Often bullies try to get a person alone before bullying. Finally don't bully back. Fighting back gives the bully what he/she is looking for. •    In most incidences bullies get into trouble. If they continue to bully others, eventually they have few friends. The power they wish slips away. Bullies who wish popularity soon realize that they are labeled as troublemakers. • Which sentence is the thesis statement for this paragraph?a) Several victims have been suing bullies directly.b) Many schools have programs designed to teach students cooperation.c) People who are victims of bullying can turn the situation around by trying speaking out and protecting themselves.d) Dealing with bullies is a difficult choice to make, but it is important.