Creative Nonfiction

Module 3: THESIS STATEMENTS

Name: Grade: Section:

Teacher: ___________________________ Date:

Learning Competency (Essential Competency)

Write a draft of a short piece (Fiction, Poetry, Drama etc.) using any of the
literary conventions of genre following these pointers:
1. Choosing a topic.
2. Formulating a thesis statement.
3. Organizing and developing ideas.
4. Using any literary conventions of a genre.

Objectives:

Identify the thesis statement.

Formulate thesis statement and evidences for a topic presented.
Write an argumentative essay.

Brief Introduction
A thesis statement is the most important part of an
essay. It’s the roadmap, telling the reader what they can expect to read in the rest of
paper, setting the tone for the writing, and generally providing a sense of the main
idea.
Because it is so important, writing a good thesis statement can be tricky.
A good thesis statement delivers a clear message about the scope of the topic and the
writer’s approach to the subject. In contrast, poor thesis statements fail to take a
position, are based solely on personal opinion, or state an obvious truth.

RECALL (REVIEW)

Thesis is a fancy word for “the subject of an essay” or “a position in a debate.” And
a statement, simply, is a sentence (or a couple of sentences).
Taken together, a thesis statement explains your subject or position in a
sentence (or a couple of sentences). Depending on the kind of essay you’re writing,
you’ll need to make sure that your thesis statement states your subject or position
clearly.

The basic rules for writing a thesis statement are:

1.State the topic or present your argument.
2. Summarize the main idea of each of your details and/or body paragraphs.
3. Keep your statement to one to two sentences.
What are the different types of thesis statements

1. Explanatory thesis statement

An explanatory thesis statement is based solely on factual information. It doesn’t
contain personal opinions or make claims that are unsupported by evidence. Instead,
it tells the reader precisely what the topic will be and touches on the major points that
will be explored in the essay. An explanatory thesis statement is sometimes also called
an expository thesis statement.
For example: The core components of a healthy lifestyle include a nutritious diet,
regular exercise, and adequate sleep.

2. Argumentative thesis statement

The basic building blocks of an informational essay also apply when it comes to
an argumentative essay. However, an argumentative essay requires that you take a
position on an issue or prompt.
You then have to attempt to persuade your reader that your argument is the best.
That means that your argumentative thesis statement needs to do two things:
1. State your position on the issue.
2. Summarize the evidence you will be using to defend your position.

Some examples of argumentative essay prompts are:

 Should high school students be required to do volunteer work? Why or why

not?
 Some argue that video games are bad for society. Do you agree? Why or why
not?
In order to create a good thesis statement for an argumentative essay, you have to be
as specific as possible about your position and your evidence.
For example: The school’s policy to start its school day an hour later revealed three
related benefits: students were more alert and attentive in class, had a more positive
about school, and performed better in their coursework.

3. Informational essay thesis statements

The objective of an informational essay is to inform your audience about a specific
topic. Sometimes, your essay will be in response to a specific question. Other times,
you will be given a subject to write about more generally.
In an informational essay, you are not arguing for one side of an argument, you are
just providing information.
Remember, the goal of a thesis statement in an informational essay is to state your
topic.

Let’s Understand (Study the Concept)

How to write a thesis statement

Writing a thesis statement requires time and careful thought. The thesis statement
should flow naturally from research and set out the writer’s discoveries. When
composing a thesis statement, make sure it focuses on one main idea that can be
reasonably covered within your desired page length. Try not to write about the entire
history of the Philippines, for example, in a three-page paper.

How Do I Write A Good Thesis Statement?

The body of the argumentative essay (see diagram above) uses examples and other
evidence/reasons to support the writer’s opinion.

Let’s take a look at a prompt as an example:

Prompt: Some argue that video games are bad for society. Do you agree? Why or why
not?
Bad thesis statement: Video games aren’t bad for society, because they’re super fun.
Good thesis statement: Video games aren’t bad for society because they encourage
cooperation, teach problem-solving skills, and provide hours of cheap entertainment.

Let’s Apply:

A thesis sentence is the main topic sentence of an essay or other written piece.
It states the main opinion and often forecasts the principle sections of the piece. It is
usually placed at the end of the introduction.

Example:
Topic: “Should students be allowed to eat during class?”

Possible thesis sentence:

a. Students should not eat during class as students would not be paying attention.
OR
b. While they eat, they may leave trash in the classroom, and other students might
be distracted while their neighbor eats.
Activity I
Directions: Provide a thesis sentence, supporting evidences or reasons for each topic
below.

Topic 1: Education is important to have.

Supporting details:
1. It could enable one to get a better paying job.
2. It makes a person a more interesting individual.
3. It makes a person a more informed citizen.
Thesis Statement: _________________________________________________________________

Topic 2: Young children require a lot of care.

Supporting details:
1. You must provide for their physical needs.
2. You must provide for their emotional needs.
3. You must help them grow mentally.
Thesis Statement: ____________________________________________________________

Topic 3: Some young people view celebrities — including professional athletes, actors,
and musicians — as role models. Do you think that celebrities are good role models?
Explain why or why not.
Supporting details:
1._______________________________________________________________________________
2._______________________________________________________________________________
3. ______________________________________________________________________________
Thesis Statement: _______________________________________________________________

Topic 4: Driving a car is an important responsibility.

Supporting details:
1.___________________________________________________________________________
2. __________________________________________________________________________
3.___________________________________________________________________________
Thesis Statement: __________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Topic 5: Your school has some extra money to spend. It could be spent on a computer
lab, new sports equipment, a cafeteria, or something of your choice. Write about what
you would choose and why.
Supporting details:
1._____________________________________________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________________________________________
3._____________________________________________________________________________
Thesis Statement: ___________________________________________________________
 Let’s Analyze:

Activity II
Directions: Read the following and do what is asked for.
1. Which of the following makes the best thesis statement? Pick out the letter of the
correct answer and write it in your answer sheet.
a. Even though marriage is a strong and respected institution in Russia,
more and more people are choosing to live together before marriage,
despite the cultural pressures.
b. I am going to explain why many couples in Russia are choosing to live
together rather than get married.
c. Marriage in Russia.
2. A thesis statement is a complete sentence or sentences. A thesis statement is not a
question.
Which of these is a thesis statement?
a. Knowing a foreign language.
b. Why should people know a foreign language?
c. Knowing a foreign language is a very useful skill that can help one advance in
a career, relate better to others, and open one’s mind to the ideas of another culture.
3. A thesis statement states an attitude or opinion on a topic. It doesn't just state the
topic, itself. A thesis should not be a fact.
Which of these is a thesis statement?
a. Michelangelo’s artwork is powerful because of its strong spiritual
undertones.
b. Michelangelo’s artwork is famous and is admired by many.
c. Michelangelo was a great artist in Rome during the 1500’s.

Let’s Try (Evaluation)

Read the following paragraphs. Write one thesis statement that would be appropriate
for such an essay.

1. People with good attitudes tend to be more effective problem solvers, and team-
players which are the types of people most employers are looking for. Being able to see
the positive side of a negative situation is a valuable character trait in the workplace.
Positive thinking contributes to more productivity and workplace harmony, whereas
someone who is negative and complains a lot could affect others with their negativity
and result in less productivity in the workplace, which is why most employers steer
clear of pessimists.
Thesis Statement: ____________________________________________

2. Passion and willingness to work hard can only offer a prospective employer so
much. Unless you can show how your experiences have helped prepare you for the
position you are interviewing for, the employers may decide to go with a candidate who
has completed the appropriate training already. It is costly and time-consuming to
train a new employee, which may make many employers hesitate before hiring less-
qualified applicants.
Thesis Statement: _________________________________________________________

Create:

Directions:
Write an argumentative essay about any topic given below. Provide a strong
thesis statement. Also include 3 supporting reasons or evidences in your essay to
back up your stance.

Topics to choose from:

1. One debatable issue nowadays is about gay marriages. What is your stand about it?
Are you for it or not?
2. You are given the chance to be an Ambassador of the Youth. Name projects that you
would initiate that will surely benefit the youth.