Whatsa thesis and how do I write one?

Thesis Statement Introduction:

After you have found your sources, and created your organizational tool it is time to start writing your paper. One of the most important parts of a research paper is the thesis statement. A thesis statement tells your reader what your paper is going to be about.

What is a thesis statement?

Key Features of a Thesis Statement:

States the main idea of the essay in a complete sentence, NOT in a question

Is at the end of an introductionStates an opinion or attitude on a topic. It

does NOT just state the topic itself Often lists subtopicsDoes NOT directly announce the topic

Thesis Statement: Definition

A thesis statement is a complete sentence that contains one main idea. This idea controls the entire content of the essay. A thesis statement that contains sub-points helps a reader to know what will be discussed in an essay and how the essay will be organized.

Look at the introductory paragraph on the next slide and try to identify the thesis statement and the subpoints.

“And George raised the gun and steadied it, and he brought the muzzle of it close to the back of Lennie’s head. The hand shook violently, but his face set and his hand steadied. He pulled the trigger. The crash of the shot rolled up the hills and rolled down again. Lennie jarred , and then settled slowly forward to the sand, and he lay without quivering (p.107).” This quotation comes from the he novel, Of Mice and Men and explains the final act of a friendship between Lennie, who is mentally challenged and George, his caretaker. At the end of the novel, Lennie was facing punishment for accidentally killing a woman. Instead of allowing Lennie to be captured and mistreated, George decides to kill him. Lennie’s death is an example of euthanasia. Webster’s Dictionary defines euthanasia, as “the practice of killing a human being or animal for humane reasons, especially one suffering greatly or experiencing poor quality of life.” Euthanasia or mercy killing is used more often than one may think despite the moral concerns, consequences faced by those who participate in the act and the issues regarding legality.

“And George raised the gun and steadied it, and he brought the muzzle of it close to the back of Lennie’s head. The hand shook violently, but his face set and his hand steadied. He pulled the trigger. The crash of the shot rolled up the hills and rolled down again. Lennie jarred , and then settled slowly forward to the sand, and he lay without quivering (p.107).” This quotation comes from the he novel, Of Mice and Men and explains the final act of a friendship between Lennie, who is mentally challenged and George, his caretaker. At the end of the novel, Lennie was facing punishment for accidentally killing a woman. Instead of allowing Lennie to be captured and mistreated, George decides to kill him. Lennie’s death is an example of euthanasia. Webster’s Dictionary defines euthanasia, as “the practice of killing a human being or animal for humane reasons, especially one suffering greatly or experiencing poor quality of life.” Euthanasia or mercy killing is used more often than one may think despite the moral concerns, consequences faced by those who participate in the act and the issues regarding legality.

Did you find it?

Thesis Statement: Euthanasia or mercy killing is used more often than one may think despite the moral concerns, consequences faced by those who participate in the act and the issues regarding legality.

Subpoints:moral concerns, consequences, legality

Key Features: Main Idea in a complete sentence

Since the thesis statement is the main statement for the entire essay, it should express a complete thought and be a complete sentence. The thesis statement is asserting an idea or opinion, so it should not be a question. Look at the following examples and turn them into thesis statements.

Abracadabra! It’s a thesis statement!

Frank Sinatra.

This is not a complete sentence!

Thesis Statement: Frank Sinatra was an amazing artist who lived an incredible life, had an

amazing career, and had a large influence on music.

Wapow! It’s a thesis statement!

Why did the titanic sink?

This is a question NOT a statement!Thesis Statement: The titanic was an impressive ship that was not well made, in fact, its sinking lead to new regulations being put in place for

future ships.

Key Features: Location

English readers like to know what an essay is going to be about close to the beginning of the essay. That is why thesis statements are found near the end of introductory paragraphs. Thesis statements tell the reader what they can expect to read about in the rest of the paper.

Key Features: States a fact or an opinion

Good thesis statements often express a writer’s opinion or attitude on a particular topic. This makes the thesis statement more specific and requires the writer to explain the points they make in their thesis statement later in the paper.

Look at the following examples and decide if they are good thesis statements.

What is wrong?

Charles Manson killed many people throughout his lifetime.

This would NOT be a good thesis statement because there are no sub-

points.

How do I make it a thesis statement?

Charles Manson was a detestable individual who lived a horrible life, played a role in the

murder of many people, and left a mark on society that will not soon be forgotten.

This IS a good thesis statement because it has sub-points.

Key Features: DON’T State the Obvious

In thesis statements you should avoid using statements like, “This essay will discuss…” or “I am going to write about…”. Try to write a thesis statement that captures your reader’s attention without announcing your main topic and stating the obvious.

Look at the following example and see if it is correct or fix it.

What is wrong?

This writer is stating the obvious!

In this essay I am going to discuss how dangerous it is to talk on a cell phone while

driving.

How do we fix it?

In this essay I am going to discuss how dangerous it is to drive while talking on a cell phone.

A number of bills to regulate use of cell phones on the road have been introduced in state legislatures, and the time has come to push for their passage. Regulation is needed because drivers using phones are seriously impaired and because laws on negligent and reckless driving are not sufficient to punish offenders.

Now you are ready to write your own thesis

statements!

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 of the U.S. Copyright Law and have been prepared according to the educational fair use guidelines. They are restricted from further use.