The Thesis Statement
9th Grade English/Social Studies
What is a thesis statement?
• It’s complete thought that explains in some detail what you
expect to write about. You may use one or more sentences
to preview the ideas of the supporting paragraphs.
• It takes a stand rather than announces a subject
(It’s not – ―In this paper I am writing about George
Washington…‖)
• A thesis statement is narrow/specific, rather than broad. If
the thesis statement is sufficiently narrow, it can be fully
supported (Brunsvold).
For example – Hannah Montana is the greatest singer this
century! – What’s wrong with this?
Exactly!
• It’s too broad! Do
you know all
the singers of this century
and do you really want to
research all of them? You want
to narrow your thesis statement so that you
will be able to fully support your assertion.
What is a thesis statement?
• It has one main point rather than several
main points. More than one point may be too
difficult for the reader to understand and the
writer to support (Brunsvold).
• The thesis statement is typically located at
the end of your opening paragraph. (The
opening paragraph serves to set the tone for
your paper and why you are writing about the
topic)
How do you make a good thesis
statement?
• A good preliminary/tentative thesis will help you focus
your search for information about your topic. But
don't rush! You must do a lot of background
reading before you know enough about a subject
to identify key or essential questions that you
want to write about. You may not know how you
stand on an issue until you have examined and
thought about your topic. You will likely begin your
research with a working (preliminary or starter) thesis
which you will continue to refine until you are certain
of where the evidence leads.
How do you make a good thesis
statement?
• You can think of your thesis as a map or a
guide both for yourself and your audience, so
it might be helpful to draw a chart or picture of
your ideas and how they’re connected before
you get started.
How do you make a good thesis
statement?
• Again, as you write and revise your paper, it is
okay to change your thesis statement—sometimes
you don’t discover what you really want to say
about a topic until you have started (or finished)
writing! Just make sure that your ―final‖ thesis
statement accurately communicates what will
happen in your paper.
How do you make a good thesis
statement?
• Simple equations for a thesis might look
something like this:
• Take a specific topic (like _________)
+ (then add)
• Attitude/Angle/Argument [for example, I feel
(attitude) as a supporter of _the topic_ (angle),
because____(argument – your reasons)]
= Thesis Statement
Or to put it another way…
What you plan to argue +
How you plan to argue it
= Thesis
Thesis Statement, cont.
How do you know if you've got a solid
starting thesis? Try these five tests:
1. Does the thesis inspire a reader to ask, "How?" or Why?" or “I
want to learn more?”
2. Would a reasonable reader NOT respond with "Duh!" or "So
what?" or "Gee, no kidding!" or "Who cares?"
3. Does the thesis avoid general phrasing and/or sweeping
words such as "all" or "none" or "every"?
4. Does the thesis lead the reader toward the topic sentences (the
subtopics needed to prove your thesis located in your other
paragraphs)?
5. Can the thesis be explained in the required length of the paper
or project? (2-3 pages academic, 4-5 pages AP)
If you cannot answer "YES" to these questions, what changes must
you make in order for your thesis to pass these tests?
AGAIN, REMEMBER!!!!!!
You can revise your thesis statement
whenever you want to while you are writing
your essay. Writers often discover what
their real purpose and point is in the process
of putting their thoughts into words and
then reading what they’ve written!
Sample Thesis Statements
• Sample Thesis Statements –
Remember You Have to Prove What
You Say in Your Final Paper!
– Best – There is no excuse for e-coli contamination considering
the modern technology available to us now.
– Good - E-coli contamination should not happen with the
modern technology available to us now.
– Bad – E –coli contamination will never happen again.
• Why is the 3rd one a bad thesis statement?
Sample Thesis Statements, cont.
Good - The causes of the Civil War were
economic, social, and political.
Bad – The Civil War was a war between
the north and the south.
• Why is the 2nd one a bad thesis
statement?
Sample Thesis Statement, cont.
• Good - The Simpsons represents one of the
greatest animated shows in television history
because of the length of time the show has
been on, the number of awards it’s won, and
the millions of dollars of merchandising spent
on it each year.
• Bad – Every Family Guy episode is the best
television show ever.
• Why is the 2nd one a bad thesis statement?
Sample Thesis Statement, cont.
• Good - Hair styles often symbolize reaction or
compliance to cultural, religious or social
values.
• Bad – The Mohawk look began in the late
1970s, early 1980s.
• Why is the 2nd one a bad thesis statement?
Thesis Statement
• http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handout
s/general/gl_thesis.html
Your Assignment:
DUE : “A/Blue” Day – November 30th
“B/Black” Day – December 1st
•Write a 3 sentence thesis paragraph with the following:
•1st sentence – introduction of the topic by telling us why you chose
it (2 points)
•2nd sentence – short one sentence history of the topic (since this is
a history class!) (2 points)
•3rd sentence – your thesis sentence (4 points)
•After you finish your paragraph for the remaining two points put
down which category your project will go under – what are the
categories again look at your ―Social Science Fair Handout‖ or
click here!
For Example:
I have liked the New York Yankees every
since I went to my first game on Father’s Day
weekend, 1981. The Yankees hold the record
for the most number of World Series
Championships. I think the Yankees are the best
major league baseball team due to the variety of
records they have broken throughout their long
history.
(Category – Recreation, Arts, and Entertainment)
Works Cited
Brunsvold, Libby. ―Thesis Statement.‖ Literacy Education Online 14 Oct. 2003 02
Nov. 06 <http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/acadwrite/thesistatement. Html>.
―What is a Thesis?‖ 2 Nov 06
<http://mciunix.mciu.k12.pa.us/~spjvweb/thesis.html>.
The End