RS rg 182 Developing Composition Skills ‘The Thesis Statement “The thesis statement isthe main-idea sentence forthe entire essay. It gives the attitude, opitfon, or idea that the writer is going to develop in the essay. Like a topic sentence, the thesis statement tells the topic and controlling idea. Unlike a topic sentence, it controls the whole essay, not just one paragraph. ‘An essay has an overall thesis statement to focus its main idea. At the same time, the supporting paragraphs of the essay have topic sentences. These topic sen- tences relate to and develop some aspect of the controlling idea of the essay. ‘The following guidelines will help you recognize and write a thesis statement. 1. A thesis statement must be a complete sentence. ‘The benefits of the computer. (Not a thesis statement) ‘The-computer can help students do research. (Thesis statement) 2. A thesis statement gives an opinion, attitude, or ideas it should not just an- rounce the topic of the essay. ‘am going to discuss the effects of VCRs. (Not a thesis statement) ‘VCRs have increased the choices for viewers. (Thesis statement) jn Ah tle » filters ark 3. A thesis statement is more interesting when it expresses an opinion, not a < fact, because facts cannot be argued. ‘Most aluminum cans have flip tops. (Not a thesis statement) Flip tops make aluminum cans hard to open. (Thesis statement) 4. A thesis statement is not a question (but will often be the answer to a ques- tion). ‘What are the advantages of credit cards? (Not a thesis statement) Credit cards are convenient. (Thesis statement) ACTIVITY 8-6 Using the guidelines above, decide if the following phrases and sentences are thesis statements. Rewrite those that are incorrect, making them the- sis statements. 1. The disadvantages of power windows in cars. ) H, @008), ee Pramemner (ort a). Beaton : 2. What are the effects of kidney transplants? 3. would like to tell you about my experience with video games. 4, Without basic computer skills, it is difficult to use the library. 5. Frozen foods are not nearly as tasty as fresh foods.184 Developing Composition stills 2. The introduction gives the following: the topic—what the essay is about the thesis statement—the writer's attitude or idea about the topic 3. The thesis statement can appear any place in the introduction. Often, how- ever, the thesis statement is the last sentence of the introduction. ‘Traditionally, the introductory paragraph of an essay is represented as an in- verted triangle. The paragraph begins by introducing the general idea of the topic and narrows to the specific idea of the thesis statement. This is why the thesis state- ‘ment is often the last sentence of the introduction. Look at this diagram: General Idea of Topic ney Look at the introductory paragraph of the essay about microwave ovens. Find the thesis statement. Engineers and inventors continually develop new products that affect our everyday lives. One product that was developed and has become popular in the last twenty years is the microwave oven. Mi- crowave ovens now appear in new homes, old homes, businesses, restaurants, even on boats and in campers. Indeed, they are every- where. Most people would agree that this invention, with its many advantages, has had a positive effect on our lives. It has made our busy lives easier. ‘The last sentence of the paragraph presents the thesis, or main idea, the writer is going to develop. This statement tells us what to expect inthe essay. We expect the essay to answer this question, “How has the microwave made our busy lives easier?”