Thesis Statement
Thesis Statement
Thesis Statement
Directions: Write true if the statement supports the principle of thesis statement;
write false if otherwise.
1. Thesis Statement is the first sentence at the beginning of each paragraph. False
2. It makes a claim that other people may dispute, challenge, or oppose. True
3. It is a question in response to the writing assignment. False
4. It is a road map for a paper; it tells the reader what the paper will focus on. True
5. It is a simple statement of fact. False
6. The first thing you should do after receiving your writing prompt is write
your thesis statement. False
7. A good thesis statement is a broad generalization about your topic. False
8. "Blue printed" thesis statement is a statement that includes the main areas of
support in the order you will introduce them in your essay and thus acts as a
blue print for the essay. True
9. The Yankee Doodle Restaurant is a great place to eat, because the staff is
friendly, the food is delicious, and the atmosphere is relaxing is an example
of blue printed thesis statement. True
10. A thesis statement should reflect the main idea of an essay. True
It is a statement that summarizes your topic and declares your position on it.
tells the reader how you will interpret the significance of the subject matter
under discussion.
is a road map for the paper; in other words, it tells the reader what to expect
from the rest of the paper.
It is the central idea of a multiple-paragraph composition. It is one sentence
summary that guides, controls and unifies ideas when writing a paper. In
simple terms, all the other ideas present in an easy revolve around the
thesis statement.
It focuses your ideas into one or two sentences. It should present the topic
of your paper and also make a comment about your position in relation to
the topic. Your thesis statement should tell your reader what the paper is
about and also help guide your writing and keep your argument focused.
should finish the piece with a good understanding of what the work was trying to convey. This is what’s called an implicit
thesis statement: the primary point of the reading is conveyed indirectly, in multiple locations throughout the work. (In
literature, this is also referred to as the theme of the work.)
should finish the piece with a good understanding of what the work was trying to convey. This
is what’s called an implicit thesis statement: the primary point of the reading is conveyed
indirectly, in multiple locations throughout the work. (In literature, this is also referred to as the
theme of the work.)
You should provide a thesis early in your essay -- in the introduction, or in longer
essays in the second paragraph -- in order to establish your position and give your
reader a sense of direction.
Original thesis:
There are serious objections to today's horror movies.
Revised theses:
These words tell the reader next to nothing if you do not carefully explain what
you mean by them. Never assume that the meaning of a sentence is
obvious. Check to see if you need to define your terms (” socialism,"
"conventional," "commercialism," "society"), and then decide on the most
appropriate place to do so. Do not assume, for example, that you have the
same understanding of what “society” means as your reader. To avoid
misunderstandings, be as specific as possible.
Compare the original thesis (not specific and clear enough) with the revised
version (much more specific and clear):
Original thesis:
Although the timber wolf is a timid and gentle animal, it is being systematically
exterminated. [if it's so timid and gentle -- why is it being exterminated?]
Revised thesis:
Although the timber wolf is actually a timid and gentle animal, it is being
systematically exterminated because people wrongfully believe it to be a fierce
and cold-blooded killer.
Revised: any great action verb you can concoct: "to generate," "to demolish," "to
batter," "to revolt," "to discover," "to flip," "to signify," "to endure..."
Directions: Read the following statements very carefully. Select only one more
effective thesis in the introductory paragraph of a short essay. Keep in mind that
an effective thesis statement should be sharply focused and specific, not just a
general statement of fact. Write the letter of your answer in your notebook.
1. A. The Hunger Games is a science fiction adventure film based on the novel of
the same name by Suzanne Collins.
B. The Hunger Games is a morality tale about the dangers of a political system
that is dominated by the wealthy.
2. A. There is no question that cell phones have changed our lives in a very big
way.
B. While cell phones provide freedom and mobility, they can also become a
leash, compelling users to answer them anywhere and at any time.
3. A. Finding a job is never easy, but it can be especially hard when the economy
is still feeling the effects of a recession and employers are reluctant to hire new
workers.
B. College students looking for part-time work should begin their search by taking
advantage of job-finding resources on campus.
4. A. For the past three decades, coconut oil has been unjustly criticized as an
artery-clogging saturated fat.
B. Cooking oil is plant, animal, or synthetic fat that is used in
frying, baking, and other types of cooking.
5. A. There have been over 200 movies about Count Dracula, most of them only
very loosely based on the novel published by Bram Stoker in 1897.
B. Despite its title, Bram Stoker's Dracula, a film directed by Francis Ford
Coppola, takes considerable liberties with Stoker's novel.
6. A. There are several steps that teachers can take to encourage academic
integrity and curtail cheating in their classes.
B. There is an epidemic of cheating in America's schools and colleges, and there
are no easy solutions to this problem.