The Thesis Statement. A roadmap to your essay.

Transcription

1 The Thesis Statement A roadmap to your essay.

2 What is a thesis statement? ONE STRONG SENTENCE that states the position you will take in your essay o o A complete sentence Not a question Very specific Doesn t just state the topic, itself Acts as road map to your essay

3 A Road Map? Your thesis statement should include a main point along with sub-points. The sub-points tell the reader how your essay will be organized. In a 5 paragraph essay you should have 3 sub-points. Take a look at the introduction paragraph on the following slide. Can you identify the thesis statement?

4 Identify the Thesis Statement: Over the majestic palm trees the Arizona sun sets. In the distance mountains jut out against a pale blue sky. In the foreground sits Grand Canyon University, Arizona's premiere Christian College. Since 1949 Grand Canyon has been preparing students to be leaders in the state and throughout the nation by providing quality education from a Christian perspective. Grand Canyon University is the best University because it cares about students, has great classes, and has a Christian World View.

5 The VERY LAST sentence is the thesis statement. Over the majestic palm trees the Arizona sun sets. In the distance mountains jut out against a pale blue sky. In the foreground sits Grand Canyon University, Arizona's premiere Christian College. Since 1949 Grand Canyon has been preparing students to be leaders in the state and throughout the nation by providing quality education from a Christian perspective. Grand Canyon University is the best University because it cares about students, has great classes, and has a Christian World View. This is the main point of the thesis statement. This describes what the essay will prove. These are the sub-points. These describe how the writer will prove the main point.

6 The Thesis Statement Helps Create the Outline THESIS STATEMENT Grand Canyon University is the best University because it cares about students, has great classes, and has a Christian World View. OUTLINE Paragraph 1: Introduction Paragraph 2: GCU cares about students Paragraph 3: GCU has great classes Paragraph 4: GCU has a Christian world view. Paragraph 5: Conclusion

7 Quiz Time! Take a look at the thesis statements on the following slides. Decide if the thesis statement is a GOOD example or a BAD example

8 The sport of cross-country running.

9 The sport of cross-country running. NO. This is not a thesis statement because it is not a complete sentence. This is a thesis statement: The sport of cross-country running can allow one to get in better shape, meet some interesting people, and develop self-discipline.

10 Why do people want to be teachers?

11 Why do people want to be teachers? NO. This is not a thesis statement because it is a question, not a statement. This is a thesis statement: Being a teacher is a great profession, because it allows for creativity, helping others, and opportunities to continue learning.

12 The problem of pollution in major cities can be alleviated by limiting the number of cars on the street, creating more efficient public transportation systems, and planting more trees.

13 The problem of pollution in major cities can be alleviated by limiting the number of cars on the street, creating more efficient public transportation systems, and planting more trees. YES! It states the main point of the paper and three sub-topics.

14 Cancun is a popular vacation spot in Mexico.

15 Cancun is a popular vacation spot in Mexico. NO! This is only expressing a fact. It does not give the writer very much to explain or prove in the essay. This is a better thesis statement: Cancun is one of the most popular vacation spots in Mexico because of its comfortable climate, proximity to well-known archeological sites, and affordability.

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

17 In this essay, I am going to discuss the effects of long-term drug abuse. NO! Don t state the obvious ( In this essay, I am going to discuss ) and don t use the first person (I, me, myself ) This is a better thesis statement: Long term drug use can have disastrous effects on one s marriage, career, and health.

18 A thesis statement Is a complete sentence Is not a question To Sum it Up Does more than just state a fact gives the writer something to EXPLAIN or PROVE Doesn t state the obvious IS THE ROADMAP OF THE ESSAY contains a main idea and sub-topics.