Thesis Statements

Concise Constructs

Unit 3

Dr. Brooke Helling

A Thesis Statement is

A thesis statement is NOT…

• A factual sentence
• A topic sentence

Characteristics of thesis statements

• A statement that contains the essay’s topic and point(s)
• Gives the reader a sense of what the essay will be about
• Addresses the prompt clearly
• Makes a claim or presents an argument
• Usually comes at the end of the introduction paragraph
• One sentence
• All details from the body paragraphs must support the thesis.

​

​

​

​

​

Creating a thesis statement

Examples of Thesis Statements

• Pixar’s film, Up , should not be considered a “kid” movie because its vocabulary, character conflicts and main theme are too complex for children to understand.

Whole group Practice

• Now write a thesis statement:
• What are the effects of smoking on our health?

Thesis statements must contain:

Thesis Statement Breakdown

• Topic - Smoking
• Controlling Idea – main negative effects on people’s health/our health
• Predictor – cancer, high blood pressure, emphysema .

​

Thesis statement:

Smoking is bad for one’s health because it causes cancer, high blood pressure, and emphysema.

Identify the best thesis for each prompt on the following slides:

Early on in life, people develop an admiration for heroes. In a well-developed essay, discuss a person you admire and why you chose this person.

1. One person I admire is Babe Ruth, who played baseball from 1914-1935.
2. One person I admire is Babe Ruth, the greatest baseball player of all time.

​

Which is better?

1. One person I admire is Babe Ruth, who played baseball from 1914 until 1935.

Although this does address the writing prompt, this is a factual statement. A thesis statement should be something you can argue for or against.

• One person I admire is Babe Ruth, the greatest baseball player of all time.

This statement addresses the prompt, and presents an opinion that can be argued.

Discuss the social, political, and economic effects of World War II on the United States.

A. World War II was a costly war that had a major impact on the economy of the United States

B. World War II not only affected the economy of the United States but also altered the role of the American government and the American people forever.

Which is better?

1. World War II was a costly war that had a major impact on the economy of the United States.

Although this is meets all the criteria for a thesis statement, it only addresses part of the writing prompt. Remember, the statement tells the reader what to expect. With this as a thesis, one would only expect to read about the economic effects.

B. World War II not only affected the economy of the United States but also altered the role of the American government and the American people forever.

This is correct because it addresses the social, economic and political effects as stated in the prompt. Notice that the words people (social) and government (political) were used in this statement. This makes the sentence more original and shows the reader that you know what “social” and “political” refer to.

​

Describe three physical features of Latin America and their importance to the region.

1. The Andes Mountains, the Amazon River and Yucatan Peninsula are the three most significant physical features in Latin America.
2. Three physical features found in Latin America are the Andes Mountains, the Amazon River and the Yucatan Peninsula, which are all vital to the region.

​

Which is better?

1. The Andes Mountains, the Amazon River and Yucatan Peninsula are the three most significant physical features in Latin America.

This statement gives an argument, it presents the three physical features asked for in the prompt, and makes reference to the importance (significance)

• Three physical features found in Latin America are the Andes Mountains, the Amazon River and the Yucatan Peninsula, which are all vital to the region.

This is a topic sentence. The reason it is not a good thesis is because it does not present an argument or address the whole prompt. It is a factual statement. To make it a strong thesis, you must add to it.

Your turn

• Work with a partner to create thesis statements for the following:
• What the disadvantages of living in a big city?
• Are night shifts harmful for workers?
• Is cell phone usage in the college classroom a pro or con?