Characteristics of an Effective Thesis

Statement
1. Responds to the assignment by the following
instructions.
2. Expresses the main idea in one to two sentences.
3. Focuses on a specific issue.
4. States a stand on the topic.
5. Says something meaningful by answering the
questions, ” so what? “ “how? “ “why? “.
6. Previews the rest of the essay by being placed in the
introduction.
7. Reflects a tone and point-of-view appropriate to the
identified purpose and audience.
 More guidelines on Writing Thesis
Statements

1.Avoid making overly opinionated

stands.
2.Avoid making announcements.
3.Avoid stating only fact.
 Exercises
A. In the table below, example of a general subject, specific topics, and
thesis statement are provided. Fill in the blanks by deriving either a
general subject, specific topic, or specific thesis statement depending on
the given details.
General Subject Specific Topic Thesis Statement
1. Sports Being part of a high school
basketball team is a good
training ground for an
athlete who wants to play
for a college basketball
team.

2. Facebook interaction Face to face conversations

are more meaningful than
facebook interactions
because they are more
personal.
3. Music original pilipino music
(opm)
4. Education The k to 12 program

5.Transportation The metro rail transit 3

(mrt-3) fare hike is a
reasonable measure
because the additional
huenue generated can
go to the much-needed
improvement of the
trains coaches.
B. Choose one characteristics of an effective thesis statement
and revise the given thesis statement to reflect. The first
characteristics has been done for you as an example.

Given thesis statement.” high school seniors who join the reserve officers
training corps program develop better leadership skills because of the
discipline instilled in them by the program.”

Sample answer: if the instructions were change to “ compare and contrast two
extracurricular programs that you consider beneficial to high school student.”
then the adjusted thesis statement would be,” both the reserve officers
training corps program and the student council,” develop leadership skills in
students, but are different because of the kind of activities students are
provided.
C. Read the thesis statement below. Place a check (/) on the blank
before the number of the thesis statement is effective. If not,
identify the flaw by writing (A) for announcement, (O) for
opinion, and (F) for fact on the blank. Rewrite the flawed
statements accordingly.

____1.In this essay, I am going to write about the advantages of wearing uniforms.
____2.The president should resign because he is useless/
____3.Schools should continue starting in june instead of august, because going
to school in the heat of the summer will be unhealthy for students.
____4.This paper will be the pros and cons of adapting books into movies.
____5.Education is the solution to poverty