Stating Thesis

Statement
Lesson 4
 At the end of the session learners must
have:

• given his/her own definition of the thesis

statement;
• developed a thesis statement using
questioning;
• generated the thesis statement of the given
academic text.
 Guide/
Abstract/
unifies Point of
summary
ideas the essay

THESIS

Central
opinion
idea
Thesis Statements
• Presents or describes the point of
the essay. It is also the abstract or
the executive summary.

- Barrot & Sipacio, 2016

 Thesis Statements
• Central idea of a multiple-paragraph
composition. One sentence summary
that guides, controls, and unifies
ideas when writing a paper. In simple
terms, all other ideas present in an
essay revolve around the thesis.
- (Barrot, 2016)
Thesis Statements
✓ 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 explains to a

reader the main idea of the essay,
and the writer’s opinion on that
idea.
✓ 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.

✓ The essay will contain evidence and

opinions that support the argument.
 Questioning Strategy
• Topic – Jogging

• Question – Why is jogging beneficial?

• Thesis Statement
Jogging is beneficial because it
affects physical wellbeing and mental
fitness.
 Questioning Strategy
• Topic – Tagaytay City

• Question – Is Tagaytay City an enthralling city

of the South?
- Why is Tagaytay City considered
enthralling city of the South?

• Thesis Statement – Tagaytay City an enthralling

City of the South.
- Tagaytay City is an enthralling city
of the South because of its beautiful landscape,
amazing people, and sumptuous food.
How to Write an Effective
Thesis Statement?
 1. Thesis statements 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.
2. A thesis statement should:
• Contain a topic (main idea of
what you are writing about.

• Contain an opinion about the

topic (what your attitude is toward
the topic.
3. A thesis statement should not be
too broad.
• Too Broad
The world is a magnificent place to
live.

• Better
Good teachers make Mountain City
Elementary a fantastic school.
Which sentence is too broad to be a
good thesis statement?

• One reason to live in Mountain City

is access to many wonderful
places to fish.

• Mountain City is a great place to

live.
 4. 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.

•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?

• Abe Lincoln was one of the best presidents

the United States has ever known.

• 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.
5. 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?

• Music makes people happy.

• Music therapy is useful in relieving stress

and other conditions.
6. 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?

• Good teaching has led to an

increase in TCAP scores at Mountain
City Elementary.

• Rising TCAP Scores at Mountain City

Elementary.
7. 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?

• The recycling of one aluminum can save

enough energy to run a TV for three hours.

• Recycling is one of the most important

jobs a person can do to protect our
environment.
8. Avoid stating the obvious. “I will tell
you..” “I will talk about…”
• Don’t
Many events in the history of the
Philippines contributed to the country’s
changes.

• Do
In the history of the Philippines, People
Power I was one of the major events which
changed our country especially the culture,
structure, and politics of the Philippines.
 9. Enumerated details should have equal
importance. Delete redundant details.

• Don’t
Although Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) help
raise the country’s economy, add more revenues, and
promote hospitality of Filipinos, the government has to
create more jobs so that OFWs do not have to leave
their families.

• Do
Although Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) help
raise the country’s economy, and promote the
hospitality of Filipinos, the government has to create
more jobs so that OFWs do noy have to leave their
families.
10. Should not state an absolute fact.

• Don’t
Rizal Park is located in Manila.

• Do
Rizal Park which is located in
Manila, is a reminder of our
nationalism and revoluton.