Meeting 3 Thesis Statement

PROGRAM STUDI SASTRA INGGRIS
FAKULTAS SASTRA
UNIVERSITAS PAMULANG
Chapter 3: Thesis Statement
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What is Thesis Statement?

The thesis statement is the statement that
tells the main idea of the whole essay.
It can be compared to a topic sentence which gives

the main idea of a paragraph.
It usually comes at or near the end of introductory

paragraph.
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Functions of Thesis Statement

tells the reader how you will interpret the significance of the
subject matter under discussion.
a road map for the paper; in other words, it tells the reader
what to expect from the rest of the paper.
makes a claim that others might dispute
a single sentence near the beginning of your paper

(most often, at the end of the first paragraph) that
presents your argument to the reader
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Thesis Statement:
There are some negative effects of facebook for teenagers.
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Do I answer the
Does my thesis question?
pass the “how and
why?” test? Have I taken a position
that others might
When reviewing your challenge or oppose?
first draft and its
working thesis, ask
Does my essay yourself:
support my thesis Is my thesis statement
specifically and specific enough?
without wandering? Does my thesis pass
the “So what?” test?
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Example of Thesis Statement

Fact Very few kindergarten in the united states a full day of
Instruction.
Title The Advantages of All- Day Kindergarten
Thesis There are some advantages of a full day of instruction

Statement kindergarten in US.
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Identify each of the following as a title (T), a thesis

(TH), or a fact (F).
_______1. The personal interview is the most important step in the employment
process.
_______2. Looking for a job
_______3. Sixty percent of all jobs are obtained through newspaper
advertisements.
_______4. The importance of learning a foreign language
_______5. In the 1970s, the number of students studying foreign languages
________6. Working a part-time job while going to school puts an enormous
strain on a person.
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Choosing the controlling idea
 The controlling idea is what you want to show or prove about your topic.
 It is your point of view.
 A controlling idea must be something you can defend.
 Often this controlling idea is expressed by an adjective such as beneficial,
difficult, or unfair.
 The writer who narrowed the scope of the topic swimming to either
floating or swimming two hours a week may have chosen the following
italicized words as the controlling ideas for an essay.
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Example
Topic Swimming
Narrowed Topic Floating
Possible Thesis
Learning to float at the age of twenty was a terrifying experience.
Statement
Qualified Topic Swimming two hours a week
Possible Thesis
Swimming two hours a week can dramatically change a person’s health
Statement
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Each of the following topics has been limited or qualified. In

Exercise each case, provide a possible controlling idea.
1. Dancing
limited topic: __________________________________________________________
controlling idea: ________________________________________________________
2. School
qualified topic: __________________________________________________________
controlling idea: _________________________________________________________
3. Transportation
limited topic: __________________________________________________________
controlling idea:________________________________________________________
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Before you develop an argument on any topic you have to:
How to
develop a collect and organize evidence
thesis
statement ? look for possible relationships between known facts
(such as surprising contrasts or similarities)
think about the significance of these relationships
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Begin, I think that........and complete the

One way to develop sentence with your opinion.
a thesis statement
for an essay is to
write opinions you
have about the Then remove I think that...... and the remaining
topics. words make a possible thesis statement.
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Topic: After you have

written several
diet/ food opinion statements,
choose the one that
make best thesis.
Remember to
Example I think that a vegetarian diet is one decide if the
of the best ways to live a healthy sentence gives a
life. clear opinion, states
of facts or presents
I think that government should two sides without a
restrict the use of chemicals in clear argument.
agriculture and food production.
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o The thesis statement is the most important

sentence in the introduction.
o It states the specific topic and often lists the
major subtopics that will be discussed in the
body of the essay.
o Furthermore, it may indicate the method of
the organization such as chronological order
or order of importance.
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 Being the oldest son has more

disadvantages than advantages.
Examples of thesis  Young people in my culture have

statements with no less freedom than young people in
subtopics the United States.
mentioned:  The large movement of people from
rural to urban area has major
effects on cities.
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 The large movement of people from rural to urban

areas has major effects on a city’s ability to provide
housing employment and adequate sanitation
Examples of services.
thesis  Prejudice arises from three basic cuses: childhood
statements conditioning, ignorance and fear.
with subtopics
mentioned:  Young people in my culture have less freedom than
young people in the United States not only in their
choice of life-style but also in their choice of
careers.
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Comprehension
Questions
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Exercise 1
Recognizing a Thesis Statement. Identify each of the following as a title (T), a thesis
(TH), or a fact (F).
______1. It is estimated that two hundred grizzly bears live in Yellowstone

National Park.
______2. The survival of grizzly bears in our country should be a top priority.
______3. When bears are young cubs, there are twice as many males as females.
______4. Only about 60 percent of bear cubs survive the first few years of life.
______5. Bears, a precious natural resource
______6. The average life span of a bear today is only five or six years.
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Exercise 2
For each of the three general topics given, compose a thesis sentence by (a)
limiting or qualifying the general topic, (b) choosing a controlling idea that could
be supported.
1. General Topic: Community

a. limiting or qualifying the general topic:________________________
b. controlling idea : ___________________________________________
2. . General topic: Female vocalist
a. Limited or qualified topic: ____________________________________
b. Controlling idea: ____________________________________________
3. . General topic: Credit cards
a. Limited or qualified topic_____________________________________
b. Controlling idea: _________________________________________
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Exercise 3 a. Exercise
I think that
For each of these topics, write two or
………...............................................................................
three opinions you have, starting with .....................................
I think that. After you have written b. The internet
several opinions statements, choose I think
the one that would make the best that ................................................................................
thesis. Remember that the good ........................................
thesis statement gives clear opinion c. Music
instead of states a fact or presents I think that..........................................
two sides without a clear argument. .......................................................................................
.........................................
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PROGRAM STUDI SASTRA INGGRIS

Chapter 3: Thesis Statement

What is Thesis Statement?

It can be compared to a topic sentence which gives

It usually comes at or near the end of introductory

Functions of Thesis Statement

makes a claim that others might dispute

a single sentence near the beginning of your paper

There are some negative effects of facebook for teenagers.

Example of Thesis Statement

Title The Advantages of All- Day Kindergarten

Thesis There are some advantages of a full day of instruction

Identify each of the following as a title (T), a thesis

Choosing the controlling idea

Narrowed Topic Floating

Each of the following topics has been limited or qualified. In

Before you develop an argument on any topic you have to:

think about the significance of these relationships

Begin, I think that........and complete the

Topic: After you have

o The thesis statement is the most important

 Being the oldest son has more

Examples of thesis  Young people in my culture have

 The large movement of people from rural to urban

______1. It is estimated that two hundred grizzly bears live in Yellowstone

1. General Topic: Community

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