Thesis – main idea that includes the writer’s attitude toward the topic and purpose in writing. Thesis Statement serves

Thesis – main idea that includes the writer’s attitude toward the topic and purpose in writing. • Thesis Statement serves 2 purposes: • Narrows the topic to a single idea that you want your readers to gain from your essay • States something about the topic, conveying your purpose, your opinion, and your attitude.

Topic: The effects of strip mining Thesis: Strip-mining should be tightly controlled in this region to reduce its pollution of water resources, its permanent destruction of the land and its devastating effects on people’s lives. Purpose - Persuasion, sense of urgency Topic: Abraham Lincoln's delay in emancipating the slaves Thesis: Lincoln delayed emancipating any slaves until 1863 because his primary goal was to restore and preserve the Union with or without slavery. Purpose - Explanation, objectivity Examples

Weak Thesis: The North and South fought the Civil War for many reasons, some of which were the same and some different. Strong Thesis: While both Northerners and Southerners believed they fought against tyranny and oppression, Northerners focused on the oppression of slaves while Southerners defended their own rights to property and self-government. Examples – Weak and Strong

Weak: World hunger has many causes and effects. Strong: Hunger persists in Appalachia because jobs are scarce and farming in the infertile soil is rarely profitable. Examples – Weak and Strong

Helpful sites • http://www.ozline.com/electraguide/thesis.html • http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/acadwrite/thesistatement.html

Thesis – main idea that includes the writer’s attitude toward the topic and purpose in writing. Thesis Statement serves