1. The Thesis Statement A Road Map for Your EssayIntESSro dAY The uctnio sisS tat B odem yP ent ara graB od ph#1 yParagra B od ph#2yParagraph #3 2001 by Ruth LumanReferences

2. IntroductionThesis StatementsAfter you have brainstormed and you have some mainideas of what you would like to write in your essay, you canbegin thinking about writing a thesis statement. Whats a thesis statement???? 3. DefinitionThesis StatementA thesis statement is a complete sentencethat contains one main idea. This idea controlsthe content of the entire essay. A thesisstatement that contains subpoints also helps areader know how the essay will be organized.Look at the introductory paragraph below. Seeif you can identify the thesis statement andsubpoints. 4. DefinitionThesis Statement When I was young, I always knew that I wanted tobecome a teacher someday. When I played, I would oftengather my dolls together and pretend to teach them howto do math problems or how to read a book. As I grewolder, my desire to become an ESL teacher becameclearer as I did some volunteer teaching overseas and inthe United States. As I look back on my reasons forbecoming a teacher, there are three reasons that standout. They are: my love for the English language, myinnate interest in how people learn, and my desire to helpother people .The thesis statementSubpoints in the thesiscontains the main ideaor nearby help thethat controls the content reader know how theof the essay. essay will be organized 5. Thesis StatementAnother Example Psychologists have argued for decades about how apersons character is formed. Numerous psychologistsbelieve that ones birth order (i.e. place in the familyas the youngest, oldest, or middle child) has thegreatest influence. I believe birth order can have asignificant impact in the formation of a childscharacter based on my own experience growing up in afamily of four children. Birth order can strongly affectones relationship with parents, relationships withothers, and how one views responsibility as an adult. The thesis statementSubpoints in the thesis contains the main ideaor nearby help the that controls the content reader know how the of the essay. essay will be organized 6. Key FeaturesThesis Statement states the main idea of the essay in a completesentence, not in a question. is usually at the end of an introduction. states an opinion or attitude on a topic. It doesntjust state the topic, itself. often lists subtopics. does not directly announce your main topic. 7. Key FeaturesMain Idea in a Complete SentenceSince the thesis statement is the mainstatement for the entire essay, it should expressa complete thought and be a complete sentence.The thesis statement is asserting an opinion oridea, so it should not be a question. Look at theexamples below to see how they can be madeinto thesis statements. 8. Key FeaturesMain Idea in a Complete SentenceThe sport of cross-country running. This is not a complete sentence.The sport of cross-country running has allowed meThesisto get in better shape and meet some interesting Statement people. Why do I want to be a teacher?This is a question, not astatement. Being a teacher is a great profession, because it Thesisallows me to work with students and be Statementcreative. 9. A Complete SentenceAnother ExampleThe problem of pollution in big cities.This is not a completesentence. The problem of pollution in major cities can beThesisalleviated by limiting the number of cars allowed toStatementdrive on city streets and creating more efficient publictransportation systems.Why should marijuana be legalized? This is a question, not astatement.Marijuana should be legalized because it is not anymore addictive than tobacco and it can provideThesisStatementnumerous medicinal benefits for those suffering fromterminal illnesses. 10. Key FeaturesLocationEnglish readers like to know what an essaywill be about near the beginning of the essayrather than at the end. This is why the thesisstatement is often found at the end of theintroductory paragraph. 11. Key FeaturesLocation For most of my life I have lived with bad health,smelly clothes, and a chronic cough. My children andhusband begged me to stop the habit that causedthese conditions, but I couldnt. The habit of smokinghad wrapped its addicting arms around me and wasslowly strangling me until one day I realized I had tostop. This realization came after three terrifyingevents occurred in my family. The thesis statement comes at the end of the introductory paragraph. This sentence tells the reader that he/she can expect to read about the events that caused the author to stop smoking in the rest of the essay. 12. Location Another Example Maya Angelou is an accomplished African-American authorin the United States. While growing up, she sufferedtremendous hardship. Some of her most difficult life eventsare portrayed in novels and poems such as, I Know Why theCaged Bird Sings, and, Still I Rise. Her written works ofteninclude strong themes such as perseverance through trials,love for family, and passionate optimism. The thesis statement comes at the end of the introductory paragraph. This sentence tells the reader that he/she can expect to read more about how Maya Angelou expresses these themes in her writing. 13. Key Features States an Opinion or Attitude Good thesis statements often express awriters opinion or attitude on a particular topic.This makes the thesis statement more specificand requires the writer to explain or provehis/her opinion in the essay. Look at theexamples below. 14. Key FeaturesStates an Opinion or AttitudeLearning to play many musicalI learned to play many musical instruments when I was young instruments when I was young. helped me to become a more intelligent and well-rounded person.This thesis statement isThis would not bemuch better because itconsidered a good thesis expresses how the writerstatement because it is only feels about the experienceexpressing a fact. It doesntof learning to play musicalgive the writers opinion or instruments. This thesisattitude on playing musicalstatement requires theinstruments. This thesis writer to explain how andstatement doesnt give the why playing a musicalwriter very much to explaininstrument made him/heror prove in his/her essay. a better person. 15. An Opinion or Attitude Another Example This would not be considered a Cancun is a popular vacation good thesis statement, because itspot in Mexico. is only expressing a fact. Itdoesnt reflect the writers opinionor attitude on Cancun. This thesisstatement doesnt give the writervery much to explain or prove inhis/her essay.Cancun is one of the bestvacation spots in MexicoThis thesis statement is muchbecause of its comfortablebetter because it expresses howclimate and proximity to some the writer feels about Cancun.well-known archeologicalThis thesis statement requires thesites.writer to explain how and whygoing to Cancun is a good choicefor visitors. 16. Key Features Subtopics You can make your thesis statement morespecific by including subtopics or supportingideas. By doing this, you give your reader aclear idea of what will follow in the bodyparagraphs of your essay. 17. Key FeaturesSubtopics The large influx of people to California has had major effects on the state.No subtopics are named in this thesis statement.subtopic #2 The large influx of people to California has had major effects on the ability ofthe state to provide housing, electricity, and jobs for all residents.subtopic #1subtopic #3This statement names three subtopics.Can you find all of the subtopics? 18. SubtopicsAnother ExampleInner-city public schools grapple with some serious problems. No subtopics are named in this thesis statement.subtopic #1subtopic #2 Some of the most serious problems in todays inner-city public schools arethe overcrowded classrooms, the low percentage of trained teachers, and thelack of resources such as textbooks for students.This statement names three subtopics. subtopic #3Can you find all of the subtopics? 19. Key Features Dont State the ObviousIn thesis statements, you should avoid usingstatements like, This essay will discuss orIm going to write about. Try to write athesis statement that captures your readersattention without announcing your main topicand stating the obvious. Look at the examplesbelow. 20. Key Features Dont State the ObviousIn this essay, I am going to discussthe effects of long-term drug abuse.Long-term drug use can havedisastrous effects on ones marriage,career, and health. 21. Dont State the ObviousAnother ExampleThis essay will discuss some waysteachers can fight teenage drug abuse.Teachers can fight teenage drugabuse by educating young people on itsdangers and by being good role models. 22. Key FeaturesReview states the main idea of the essay in a completesentence, not in a question. is usually at the end of an introduction. states an opinion or attitude on a topic. It doesntjust state the topic, itself. often lists subtopics. does not directly announce your main topic. 23. Practice ExercisesNow, you are ready to practice what youve learned. Click onthe button below to go back to Unit B. Complete theInteractive Review and Exercise 1. 24. References PowerPoint Presentation by Ruth Luman:Modesto Junior College. This project incorporates portions of copyrighted works.These items are included under the fair use exemption ofthe U.S. Copyright Law and have been prepared accordingto the educational fair use guidelines. They are restrictedfrom further use.