The Thesis The Thesis StatementStatement

For For OpinionOpinionEssaysEssays

First… what is First… what is notnot a thesis statement?a thesis statement?

• A thesis is A thesis is notnot a question. a question.

• A thesis is A thesis is notnot an announcement of purpose. an announcement of purpose.

• A thesis is A thesis is notnot simply a topic. simply a topic.

• A thesis is A thesis is notnot a fact. a fact.

#1. Violence in video games.#1. Violence in video games.

#2. Do video games cause aggression in #2. Do video games cause aggression in youth?youth?

#3. The purpose of my paper is to #3. The purpose of my paper is to identify the causes of violence.identify the causes of violence.

#4. A new study published by the #4. A new study published by the Psychological BulletinPsychological Bulletin proves a link proves a link between video games and aggression.between video games and aggression.

#5. Video games are becoming #5. Video games are becoming increasingly popular.increasingly popular.

What about the following?What about the following?

What Exactly is a Thesis?What Exactly is a Thesis?

A thesis has two parts:A thesis has two parts:

1. Topic: the main subject to be discussed in the 1. Topic: the main subject to be discussed in the essayessay

2. Opinion: what the writer thinks about the main 2. Opinion: what the writer thinks about the main subjectsubject

Can you spot the thesis?Can you spot the thesis?

The following slides are some The following slides are some different variations of theses different variations of theses for the topic of violent video for the topic of violent video

games…games…

Short and sweet:Short and sweet:

Violent video games should be banned.Violent video games should be banned.

This looks weak, but if well situated in your This looks weak, but if well situated in your introduction paragraph, it may be effective. Your introduction paragraph, it may be effective. Your thesis statement also may (but does not have to) thesis statement also may (but does not have to) incorporate your three major arguments:incorporate your three major arguments:

Violent video games should be banned Violent video games should be banned because they glue young adults to the television, because they glue young adults to the television, instill them with poor moral values, and instill them with poor moral values, and desensitizes them to graphic images. desensitizes them to graphic images.

Surprise attack thesis:Surprise attack thesis:

Although there is no evidence proving Although there is no evidence proving that they cause anti-social behaviour, that they cause anti-social behaviour, the widespread use of violent the widespread use of violent videogames must be banned to prevent videogames must be banned to prevent their negative influence on teenagers.their negative influence on teenagers.

Then I would go on to outline the three Then I would go on to outline the three main negative influences.main negative influences.

Embellished by word choice and tone:Embellished by word choice and tone:

Youth across the country are being Youth across the country are being harmed by daily exposure to pervasive harmed by daily exposure to pervasive violence in popular videogames. Not violence in popular videogames. Not only should the industry be regulated only should the industry be regulated to a higher standard, but in order to to a higher standard, but in order to protect society, the sale and protect society, the sale and distribution of violent video games distribution of violent video games should be outright banned. should be outright banned.

Thesis Statement ChecklistThesis Statement Checklist

It is a complete sentence that expresses your It is a complete sentence that expresses your

position/opinion on a given topic.position/opinion on a given topic. It is an arguable statement. It is an arguable statement.

It narrows down your topic to a specific, It narrows down your topic to a specific, single focus of investigation.single focus of investigation.

It establishes a direction for the entire paper.It establishes a direction for the entire paper.

Try this site to help you build your Try this site to help you build your thesis (though do not thesis (though do not rely rely on it on it solely):solely):

http://www.ozline.com/electraguide/http://www.ozline.com/electraguide/thesis.phpthesis.php