English for Academic

Purposes CLASS
With Sir Jonathan
At the end of this lesson, you should be able tO:
Ø define thesis statement;
Ø identify the various techniques in
locating a thesis statement; and
Ø formulate strong thesis statements.
 directions:
Read each paragraph carefully and
identify the topic sentence.
Ø The "topic sentence" is the
sentence in which the main idea
or the central focus of the
paragraph is stated.
 Soccer players learn many skills when playing
soccer. Soccer players learn how to dribble and
pass the ball. They also learn how to control the
ball so they can eventually score. Most
importantly, soccer players learn how to work
together with their teammates.
 Soccer players learn many skills when playing
soccer. Soccer players learn how to dribble and
pass the ball. They also learn how to control the
ball so they can eventually score. Most
importantly, soccer players learn how to work
together with their teammates.
 To be successful at university, students need to learn
good time-management skills. Doing what needs to be done
seems obvious, but is a very difficult skill. You may find
that cleaning out your wardrobe becomes vital when you
are avoiding study. Procrastination is a time manager's
enemy. By learning time management skills your university
study will be successful and most importantly enjoyable.
 To be successful at university, students need to learn
good time-management skills. Doing what needs to be done
seems obvious, but is a very difficult skill. You may find
that cleaning out your wardrobe becomes vital when you
are avoiding study. Procrastination is a time manager's
enemy. By learning time management skills your university
study will be successful and most importantly enjoyable.
 Consumers concerned about the hazards of noise can
reduce noise pollution in many ways. They can purchase
noisy products such as garbage disposals and lawn mowers
with reduced noise levels. They can also use sound
absorbing materials in their home. Carpeting can be
installed instead of hard flooring, and cork and fabric can
be used in rooms that tend to be noisy. Also, people can
become less noisy themselves. They can learn to avoid
shouting, to close doors without slamming them, and to play
radios, TV, and stereos at moderate levels.
 Consumers concerned about the hazards of noise can
reduce noise pollution in many ways. They can purchase
noisy products such as garbage disposals and lawn mowers
with reduced noise levels. They can also use sound
absorbing materials in their home. Carpeting can be
installed instead of hard flooring, and cork and fabric can
be used in rooms that tend to be noisy. Also, people can
become less noisy themselves. They can learn to avoid
shouting, to close doors without slamming them, and to play
radios, TV, and stereos at moderate levels.
 A study at one prison showed that owning a pet can
change a hardened prison inmate into a more caring
person. Another study discovered that senior citizens,
both those living alone and those in nursing homes,
became more interested in life when they were given
pets to care for. Even emotionally disturbed children
have been observed to smile and react with interest if
there is a cuddly kitten or puppy to hold. Animals, then,
can be a means of therapy for many kinds of
individuals.
 A study at one prison showed that owning a pet can
change a hardened prison inmate into a more caring
person. Another study discovered that senior citizens,
both those living alone and those in nursing homes,
became more interested in life when they were given
pets to care for. Even emotionally disturbed children
have been observed to smile and react with interest if
there is a cuddly kitten or puppy to hold. Animals, then,
can be a means of therapy for many kinds of
individuals.
 Americans express high agreement that pornography
should be restricted. An overwhelming 91% of all
Americans think that the law should limit or forbid its
distribution-48% favoring laws that forbid the
distribution of pornography to persons under eighteen,
and another 43% favoring laws that would keep
pornography from people no matter what their age.
Females feel even more strongly about this matter than
do males, with a full 50% wanting to entirely forbid its
distribution.
 Americans express high agreement that pornography
should be restricted. An overwhelming 91% of all
Americans think that the law should limit or forbid its
distribution-48% favoring laws that forbid the
distribution of pornography to persons under eighteen,
and another 43% favoring laws that would keep
pornography from people no matter what their age.
Females feel even more strongly about this matter than
do males, with a full 50% wanting to entirely forbid its
distribution.
 Carpeting may initially be less expensive than installing
hardwood floors. While carpeting may look fantastic when
it is first laid, in a relatively short period of time, it can
become badly soiled. If the carpet is not cleaned regularly,
these stains can permanently mar its beauty. Once this
happens, the only recourse is to replace the stained carpet
with a new one. In the end, then, hardwood flooring is a
better buy than carpeting.
 Carpeting may initially be less expensive than installing
hardwood floors. While carpeting may look fantastic when
it is first laid, in a relatively short period of time, it can
become badly soiled. If the carpet is not cleaned regularly,
these stains can permanently mar its beauty. Once this
happens, the only recourse is to replace the stained carpet
with a new one. In the end, then, hardwood flooring is a
better buy than carpeting.
 There are many fun things to do at the
beach. Swimming is one thing that can be done at the
beach. Snorkeling is another thing that can be
enjoyed. Playing beach volleyball can be a lot of
fun. It is also fun to look for shells. Some people
simply like to sunbathe.
 There are many fun things to do at the
beach. Swimming is one thing that can be done at the
beach. Snorkeling is another thing that can be
enjoyed. Playing beach volleyball can be a lot of
fun. It is also fun to look for shells. Some people
simply like to sunbathe.
 Thesis
Statement
 What is a Thesis Statement?
• A thesis statement is the main idea of
an essay.
• It is often a point you want to argue or
support in an essay.
 Thesis Statement
• A thesis statement is usually one sentence.
• It is often placed in the introductory paragraph of
an essay.
• A thesis statement is a claim that could be argued.
What is the difference between
a topic sentence and a thesis
statement?
A topic sentence is the main
sentence that outlines what each
paragraph in an essay is about, but
the thesis statement is the MASTER
topic sentence for the entire essay.
 Thesis Statement?
“There are several ways for college
students to improve their study habits.”

1. Study in a quiet environment.

2. Pay attention in class.
3. Manage their time well.
What to do before
writing a thesis
statement?
What to do before writing a thesis statement?
Writing thesis statements can be fun and easy to do.
Before writing a thesis statement, the writer must be
aware of his or her audience and purpose. Unclear
thesis statements emanate from the minds of writers
with an unclear purpose.
What to do before writing a thesis statement?
1. You must begin with a topic question.

Has the the internet had a positive or negative

impact on education?
What to do before writing a thesis statement?
2. You must form an opinion and state it clearly.

The internet has had more of a positive than a

negative effect on education.
What to do before writing a thesis statement?
3. Be sure you have approached your evidence fairly,
without bias.
What to do before writing a thesis statement?
4. Consider both sides of a controversial issue.
What to do before writing a thesis statement?
5. Once you have established
the topic question, a clear
position, and objectivity,
you’re ready to write a thesis
statement.
 Thesis statements should avoid the following:
• the first person
(I believe, In my opinion, etc.)
• unclear language
(It seems, etc.)
• attempting two topics at once (even if they seem
related).
Pick one and stick with it.
• just stating a fact - A thesis is
something you plan to make an
argument about.
 A thesis statement should :
• contain a topic (main idea of what you are writing
about)
• contain an opinion about the topic (your attitude
towards the topic)
 The current television rating system
does little to help parents make wise
programming choices for their children.

Topic: the current television rating system

Writer's opinion: It does little to
help parents decide what children
should watch.
Characteristics
of a Thesis
Statement
A thesis statement should not be too broad.
Too broad
Drug use is detrimental to society.

Better
Illegal drug use is detrimental because it
encourages gang violence.
Which sentence is too broad to be a
good thesis statement?
A. One reason to live in Mountain City is
access to many wonderful places to fish.
B. Mountain City is a great place to live.
A thesis statement should not be too wordy.
Wordy
Some problems with Mountain City Elementary School is
that it needs a larger playground, an air-conditioned gym, an
auditorium, restrooms connected to each classroom, running
water in the classrooms, and a number of other physical
changes to the building.
A thesis statement should not be too wordy.
Better
Mountain City Elementary needs several
changes to its facility to make it a better school.
Which sentence is too wordy to be
a good thesis statement?
A. Abe Lincoln was one of the best presidents the
United States has ever known.
B. Abe Lincoln was an excellent speaker, the 16th
President of the United States, a liberator of slaves,
and united the North and South at the
end of the American Civil War.
 A thesis statement should not be too
general.
Too general
Mountain City Elementary is a good school.

Better
Daily writing practice has led to improved writing
skills for the students at Mountain City Elementary.
Which sentence is too general to
be a good thesis statement?
A. Music makes people happy.
B. Music therapy is useful in relieving stress
and other conditions.
 A thesis statement should not be a title.
A Title
Cost of Living

Better
The cost of living in Mountain City is lower than in
most other cities in the United States.
Which sentence would not be a good
thesis statement because it is a title?
A. Good teaching has led to an increase in
TCAP scores at Mountain City Elementary.
B. Rising TCAP Scores at Mountain City
Elementary
A thesis statement should not be a fact.
A Fact
The average temperature for Mountain City
in winter is 34 and in summer is 75 degrees.
Better
The climate in Mountain City is ideal for outdoor
sports.
Which sentence would not be a good
thesis statement because it is a fact?
A. The recycling of one aluminum can save
enough energy to run a TV for three hours.
B. Recycling is one of the most important jobs a
person can do to protect our environment.
 That’s all for this lesson!

Do you have any questions?