WRITING THESIS

STATEMENT
Week 4 Lesson in RWS
1. Give the definition and
components of a thesis
statement.

2. Distinguish the better

of three thesis statements
by correctly identifying it
Describe a time when you had to travel to an
unknown place without any guide or
instructions. Write your thoughts on the blank
below. Use the following questions to guide your
insights.
1. How did you feel?
2. How did you figure out where to go?
3. How is traveling related to writing an essay?
 Where am I
going?

An essay without a
thesis statement
ESSAY
is like a car
without a driver
When you read a passage, how much do you
have to read to understand the topic or
purpose?
What is the purpose of writing an essay?

- Thesis Statement shows the purpose of a

text and the “direction” the text is “going”
 What is a thesis statement?
• A thesis statement is a sentence used One complete sentence that
in an essay that serves as the guide expresses your position.
for the essay and directly answers A thesis statement clearly
the question or task asked of you. identifies the topic being
discussed, includes the points
discussed in the paper, and is
written for a specific audience.
The thesis statement is
the sentence that states
the main idea of a
writing assignment and
helps control the ideas
Tips for Writing Your Thesis Statement
1. Determine what kind of paper you are
writing:
2. Your thesis statement should be specific
3. The thesis statement usually appears at the
end of the first paragraph of a paper.
4. Your topic may change as you write, so you
may need to revise your thesis
statement to reflect exactly what you
have discussed in the paper.
 Characteristics of Thesis
Statement
• Addresses the prompt
clearly
• Makes a claim, or
• Presents an argument
• Is arguable (an opinion)
• In first paragraph of
essay
Characteristic of an effective thesis
statement
1. Respond to the assignment by following instruction
2. Expresses the main idea in one to two sentences
3. Focuses on specific issue
4. States a stand in the topic
5. Say something meaningful by answering questions:
“So what?” , ‘How?’, and “Why?’
6. Previews the rest of the essay by being placed in the
introduction.
7. Reflects a tone or point-of-view.
Guidelines on Writing Thesis Statement
1. Avoid making overly-opinionated stands
2. Avoid making an announcement
3. Avoid stating only facts.
LET’S TRY TO SPOT A
THESIS!
1. Early on in life, people develop an admiration for heroes. In a well-developed
essay, discuss a person you admire and why you chose this person
Option
A

One person I admire is Babe Ruth, who played

baseball from 1914 until 1935.

Option B

One person I admire is Babe Ruth, the greatest

baseball player of all time.
2.Discuss the social, political and
economic effects of World War II
on the United States.
World War II was a costly war that had
a major impact on the economy of
the United States

World War II not only affected the

economy of the United States, but also
altered the role of the American
government and the American people
forever.
3. Describe three physical features of Latin America and their
importance to the region.

Option
A
The Andes Mountains, the Amazon River and
Yucatan Peninsula are the three most significant
physical features in Latin America.
Option
B
Three physical features found in
Latin America are
the Andes Mountains, the
Amazon River and the
Yucatan Peninsula.
 THANK YOU!
ANY QUESTIONS?