Thesis Statement

Directions: Write true if the statement supports the principle of thesis statement;
write false if otherwise.
1. Thesis Statement is the first sentence at the beginning of each paragraph. False
2. It makes a claim that other people may dispute, challenge, or oppose. True
3. It is a question in response to the writing assignment. False
4. It is a road map for a paper; it tells the reader what the paper will focus on. True
5. It is a simple statement of fact. False
6. The first thing you should do after receiving your writing prompt is write
your thesis statement. False
7. A good thesis statement is a broad generalization about your topic. False
8. "Blue printed" thesis statement is a statement that includes the main areas of
support in the order you will introduce them in your essay and thus acts as a
blue print for the essay. True
9. The Yankee Doodle Restaurant is a great place to eat, because the staff is
friendly, the food is delicious, and the atmosphere is relaxing is an example
of blue printed thesis statement. True
10. A thesis statement should reflect the main idea of an essay. True

What is thesis statement?

 It is a statement that summarizes your topic and declares your position on it.
 tells the reader how you will interpret the significance of the subject matter
under discussion.
 is a road map for the paper; in other words, it tells the reader what to expect
from the rest of the paper.
 It is the central idea of a multiple-paragraph composition. It is one sentence
summary that guides, controls and unifies ideas when writing a paper. In
simple terms, all the other ideas present in an easy revolve around the
thesis statement.
 It focuses your ideas into one or two sentences. It should present the topic
of your paper and also make a comment about your position in relation to
the topic. Your thesis statement should tell your reader what the paper is
about and also help guide your writing and keep your argument focused.

Locating Explicit and Implicit Thesis Statements

• In academic writing, the thesis is often explicit: it is included as a

sentence as part of the text. It might be near the beginning of the work,
but not always–some types of academic writing leave the thesis until
the conclusion.
• Journalism and reporting also rely on explicit thesis statements that
appear very early in the piece–the first paragraph or even the first
sentence.
Works of literature, on the other hand, usually do not contain a specific sentence that sums up the core concept of the
writing. However, reader

should finish the piece with a good understanding of what the work was trying to convey. This is what’s called an implicit
thesis statement: the primary point of the reading is conveyed indirectly, in multiple locations throughout the work. (In
literature, this is also referred to as the theme of the work.)
should finish the piece with a good understanding of what the work was trying to convey. This
is what’s called an implicit thesis statement: the primary point of the reading is conveyed
indirectly, in multiple locations throughout the work. (In literature, this is also referred to as the
theme of the work.)

 However, academic writing sometimes relies on implicit thesis

statements, as well.

Four Questions to Ask When Formulating Thesis Statement

1. Where is your thesis statement?

You should provide a thesis early in your essay -- in the introduction, or in longer
essays in the second paragraph -- in order to establish your position and give your
reader a sense of direction.

Tips on how to write a successful thesis statement

 Avoid burying a great thesis statement in the middle of a
paragraph or late in the paper.
 Be as clear and as specific as possible; avoid vague words.
 Indicate the point of your paper but avoid sentence structures
like, “The point of my paper is…”

2. Is your thesis statement specific?

Your thesis statement should be as clear and specific as possible. Normally

you will continue to refine your thesis as you revise your argument(s), so your
thesis will evolve and gain definition as you obtain a better sense of where your
argument is taking you.

Tips on how to formulate specific thesis statement

 Are there two large statements connected loosely
by a coordinating conjunction (i.e. "and," "but," "or,"
"for," "nor," "so," "yet")?
 Would a subordinating conjunction help (i.e. "through,"
"although," "because," "since") to signal a relationship
between the two sentences?
 Or do the two statements imply a fuzzy unfocused thesis?
 If so, settle on one single focus and then proceed with further development.
3. Is your thesis statement too general?

Your thesis should be limited to what can be accomplished in the specified

number of pages. Shape your topic so that you can get straight to the "meat" of it.
Being specific in your paper will be much more successful than writing about
general things that do not say much. Don't settle for three pages of just skimming
the surface.

The opposite of a focused, narrow, crisp thesis is a broad, sprawling,

superficial thesis. Compare this original thesis (too general) with three possible
revisions (more focused, each presenting a different approach to the same topic):

 Original thesis:
There are serious objections to today's horror movies.

Revised theses:

Because modern cinematic techniques have allowed

filmmakers to get more graphic, horror flicks have
desensitized young American viewers to violence.

The pornographic violence in "bloodbath" slasher movies

degrades both men and women.

Today's slasher movies fail to deliver the emotional

catharsis that 1930s horror films did.

4. Is your thesis statement clear?

Your thesis statement is no exception to your writing: it needs to be as clear

as possible. By being as clear as possible in your thesis statement, you will make
sure that your reader understands exactly what you mean.

Tips on how to write clear thesis statement

Unless you're writing a technical report, avoid technical

language. Always avoid jargon, unless you are confident your
audience will be familiar with it.
 Avoid vague words such as "interesting,” "negative,"
"exciting,” "unusual," and "difficult."
 Avoid abstract words such as "society," “values,” or “culture.”

These words tell the reader next to nothing if you do not carefully explain what
you mean by them. Never assume that the meaning of a sentence is
 obvious. Check to see if you need to define your terms (” socialism,"
"conventional," "commercialism," "society"), and then decide on the most
appropriate place to do so. Do not assume, for example, that you have the
same understanding of what “society” means as your reader. To avoid
misunderstandings, be as specific as possible.

Compare the original thesis (not specific and clear enough) with the revised
version (much more specific and clear):

Original thesis:
Although the timber wolf is a timid and gentle animal, it is being systematically
exterminated. [if it's so timid and gentle -- why is it being exterminated?]

Revised thesis:
Although the timber wolf is actually a timid and gentle animal, it is being
systematically exterminated because people wrongfully believe it to be a fierce
and cold-blooded killer.

Original: "is, are, was, to be" or "to do, to make"

Revised: any great action verb you can concoct: "to generate," "to demolish," "to
batter," "to revolt," "to discover," "to flip," "to signify," "to endure..."

Use your own words in thesis statements; avoid quoting. Crafting an

original, insightful, and memorable thesis makes a distinct impression on a reader.
You will lose credibility as a writer if you become only a mouthpiece or a copyist;
you will gain credibility by grabbing the reader with your own ideas and words.

A well-crafted thesis statement reflects well-crafted ideas. It signals a

writer who has intelligence, commitment, and enthusiasm.

Directions: Read the following statements very carefully. Select only one more
effective thesis in the introductory paragraph of a short essay. Keep in mind that
an effective thesis statement should be sharply focused and specific, not just a
general statement of fact. Write the letter of your answer in your notebook.

1. A. The Hunger Games is a science fiction adventure film based on the novel of
the same name by Suzanne Collins.
B. The Hunger Games is a morality tale about the dangers of a political system
that is dominated by the wealthy.

2. A. There is no question that cell phones have changed our lives in a very big
way.
B. While cell phones provide freedom and mobility, they can also become a
leash, compelling users to answer them anywhere and at any time.
3. A. Finding a job is never easy, but it can be especially hard when the economy
is still feeling the effects of a recession and employers are reluctant to hire new
workers.
B. College students looking for part-time work should begin their search by taking
advantage of job-finding resources on campus.

4. A. For the past three decades, coconut oil has been unjustly criticized as an
artery-clogging saturated fat.
B. Cooking oil is plant, animal, or synthetic fat that is used in
frying, baking, and other types of cooking.

5. A. There have been over 200 movies about Count Dracula, most of them only
very loosely based on the novel published by Bram Stoker in 1897.
B. Despite its title, Bram Stoker's Dracula, a film directed by Francis Ford
Coppola, takes considerable liberties with Stoker's novel.

6. A. There are several steps that teachers can take to encourage academic
integrity and curtail cheating in their classes.
B. There is an epidemic of cheating in America's schools and colleges, and there
are no easy solutions to this problem.

7. A. J. Robert Oppenheimer, the American physicist who directed the building of

the first atomic bombs during World War II, had technical, moral, and political
reasons for opposing the development of the hydrogen bomb.
B. J. Robert Oppenheimer often referred to as "the father of the atomic bomb,"
was born in New York City in 1904.

8. A. The iPad has revolutionized the mobile-computing landscape and created a

huge profit stream for Apple.
B. The iPad, with its relatively large high-definition screen, has helped to
revitalize the comic book industry.

9. A. Like other addictive behaviors, Internet addiction may have serious

negative consequences, including academic failure, job loss, and a breakdown in
personal relationships.
B. Drug and alcohol addiction is a major problem in the world today, and many
people suffer from it.

`10. A. When I was a child, I used to visit my grandmother in Moline every

Sunday.
B. Every Sunday we visited my grandmother, who lived in a tiny house that was
undeniably haunted.