Writing a Thesis Writing a Thesis StatementStatementBy By

Robyn AllabyRobyn Allaby

Writing a ThesisWriting a Thesis

““Have you something to do tomorrow, do it Have you something to do tomorrow, do it today” today”

Ben Ben FranklinFranklin

Start with your thesis statement. It can be

hard to write, but once it is complete,

the rest of the essay is quite easy to write.

Thesis Statement Thesis Statement

The thesis statement is like a road sign. It tells The thesis statement is like a road sign. It tells the reader what the essay is about and where the reader what the essay is about and where you are going with your topic.you are going with your topic.

It is a map of your essay.It is a map of your essay.

Thesis Facts Thesis Facts

It must be the last sentence in the first It must be the last sentence in the first paragraph.paragraph.

It is the It is the most importantmost important sentence in your sentence in your entire essay.entire essay.

In one sentence, you must include your In one sentence, you must include your position and reasons.position and reasons.

(but most importantly, it is the first thing (but most importantly, it is the first thing that your reader will look for in your that your reader will look for in your essay. If you have a good thesis, you will essay. If you have a good thesis, you will no doubt, make a favorable impression on no doubt, make a favorable impression on your reader.your reader.

Let’s look at a thesis Let’s look at a thesis statement:statement:

I strongly believe that I strongly believe that

smoking should be smoking should be

banned in public placesbanned in public places

because smoke pollutes because smoke pollutes

the environment, the environment,

contaminates our lungs,contaminates our lungs,

and smells terrible.and smells terrible.

Note: The thesis is one sentence composed of Note: The thesis is one sentence composed of two parts.two parts.

Let’s look at a poor thesis Let’s look at a poor thesis statement:statement:

I believe teenagers should get paid I believe teenagers should get paid minimum wage because they do the same minimum wage because they do the same amount of work, equal labor rights, and amount of work, equal labor rights, and they need the money.they need the money.

In this thesis statement the reasons are In this thesis statement the reasons are not parallel, which means they are not not parallel, which means they are not in the same grammatical form. Do your in the same grammatical form. Do your best to improve this sentence, then take best to improve this sentence, then take a look at the next slide.a look at the next slide.

Improved version:Improved version:

I believe teenagers should get I believe teenagers should get paid minimum wage because paid minimum wage because teenage workers do the same teenage workers do the same amount of work, enjoy equal labor amount of work, enjoy equal labor rights, and need the money.rights, and need the money.

There is parallel structure with There is parallel structure with the verbs the verbs dodo, , enjoyenjoy and and needneed..

Another example:Another example: Maya Angelou is an accomplished African-Maya Angelou is an accomplished African-

American author. While growing up, she American author. While growing up, she suffered tremendous hardship. Some of her suffered tremendous hardship. Some of her most difficult life experiences are portrayed in most difficult life experiences are portrayed in novels and poems such as novels and poems such as I Know Why theI Know Why the CagedCaged Bird SingsBird Sings and and Still I Rise. Still I Rise. Her written Her written works often include strong themes such as works often include strong themes such as perseverance through trials, love for family, and perseverance through trials, love for family, and passionate optimism.passionate optimism.

The thesis statement comes at the end of the introductory The thesis statement comes at the end of the introductory paragraph. The sentence tells the reader that he/she can paragraph. The sentence tells the reader that he/she can expect to read more about how Maya Angelou expresses expect to read more about how Maya Angelou expresses these themes in her writing.these themes in her writing.

Don’t State the ObviousDon’t State the Obvious

In this essay, I am going to In this essay, I am going to discuss the effects of long term discuss the effects of long term drug use.drug use.

Long term drug use can have Long term drug use can have disastrous effects on one’s disastrous effects on one’s marriage, career, and health.marriage, career, and health.

Don’t State the Obvious Don’t State the Obvious Another exampleAnother example

This essay will discuss some ways teachers can fight teenage drug abuse.This essay will discuss some ways teachers can fight teenage drug abuse.

Teachers can fight teenage drug abuse by educating young people on its dangers and by Teachers can fight teenage drug abuse by educating young people on its dangers and by being good role models. being good role models.

Good example:Good example:

The problem of pollution in major The problem of pollution in major cities can be alleviated by limiting cities can be alleviated by limiting the number of cars allowed to drive the number of cars allowed to drive on city streets and creating more on city streets and creating more efficient public transportation efficient public transportation systems.systems.

3 possible thesis 3 possible thesis statements for statements for GattacaGattaca

I judge the world of Gattaca as I judge the world of Gattaca as __________ because of ________, __________ because of ________, ________, and ________.________, and ________.

The world of Gattaca is ____________ The world of Gattaca is ____________ because of ________, ________ and because of ________, ________ and ________.________.

________, ________, and ________ ________, ________, and ________ contribute to the __________ of Gattaca.contribute to the __________ of Gattaca.