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Thesis Statements and What To Avoid Revision

The document provides information on thesis statements, including what they are, their key components, and guidelines for writing strong thesis statements. A thesis statement is the main argument or claim of an essay and is found at the beginning, usually at the end of the introduction paragraph. A strong thesis statement is focused, relevant, clear, and debatable. It should answer how and/or why, provide logic for the paper, and cover the entire paper. The rest of the paper should support and reiterate the thesis statement.

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James Alexander Deza
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19 views24 pages

Thesis Statements and What To Avoid Revision

The document provides information on thesis statements, including what they are, their key components, and guidelines for writing strong thesis statements. A thesis statement is the main argument or claim of an essay and is found at the beginning, usually at the end of the introduction paragraph. A strong thesis statement is focused, relevant, clear, and debatable. It should answer how and/or why, provide logic for the paper, and cover the entire paper. The rest of the paper should support and reiterate the thesis statement.

Uploaded by

James Alexander Deza
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Thesis Statements

ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES


What is a • A thesis statement is an argument or
claim.

Thesis • A thesis statement is not a summary


sentence of your essay
Statement • It is found at the beginning of an essay,
usually at the end of the introduction
? paragraph
A thesis • your distinct standpoint on the
statemen subject;
• a summary of the main arguments;
t • a roadmap for the paper.

includes
DISPUTAB • Not Obvious
LE • Some readers can disagree

• Not too broad


FOCUSED
A strong thesis • Your position is clear

statement is
RELEVAN • Not boring
T • Readers won’t say ‘so what’?
A thesis statement should:
• answer the questions ‘how’ and/or ‘why’;
• provide the logic of the paper;
• cover the entire paper.

The rest of the paper should:


• echo a thesis statement in every sentence;
• prove that the thesis statement is correct;
• repeat a rephrased thesis statement in the conclusion.
Thesis Statement
Checklist
1. Is my thesis concise? Your thesis statement should be one
sentence or two max
2. Is my thesis clear? A reader should be able to understand
your argument early in your essay
3. Is my thesis specific? Thesis statements should not include
vague generalities. If it is not specific enough, your
argument will not be strong.
4. Is my thesis debatable? Thesis statements should present an
argument that can be countered- do not be afraid of being
wrong!
5. Is my thesis interesting? Your thesis should be unexpected,
insightful, and push the boundaries. It should not repeat an
argument that has been established time and time again.
1. Topic (Subject of the text)

PARTS OF A 2. Position (Your stand on the topic)


THESIS 3. Reason/s (Explanation and
STATEMENT justification of your position)
4. Concession (An opposing viewpoint
on the topic)
1. BASIC THESIS STATEMENT
TOPIC + POSITION
MODELS OF
THESIS 2. THESIS STATEMENT WITH
STATEMENT CONCESSION
WRITING BASIC THESIS STATEMENT + CONCESSION

3. THESIS STATEMENT WITH


REASON
BASIC THESIS STATEMENT / REASON/S
Writing a Thesis Statement by Identifying
the Details by Parts
Topic: Regulating Children’s Mobile Gaming
Position: Parents should recognize the amount of time their children
spend on mobile gaming.
Reason/s:
1.It inhibits social interaction
2.It shortens the children’s attention span
3.It’s not always intellectually stimulating.
Concession: Mobile gaming can be educational.
5 GROUPS OF
NEVER-USE WORDS
1. Personal pronouns – I, you, we
2. Uncertainty qualifiers – might, maybe, perhaps
3. Extremism symptoms – everything, all, none,
always, never
4. Vague formulations – some, kind of, somewhat
5. Obvious exaggerations – life-saving, best of the best
6 Groups of Must-Use
Words:
1. Sources of information: studies reveal, research shows
2. Realistic views: many, significant, most
3. Characteristics: Primarily, frequently, often
4. Clear explanations: because, thus, for, due to, since
5. Relationships: impact, influence, tendency, contribute to
6. Active verbs: demonstrate, illustrate, identify, elucidate,
present, inform, reveal, show, express, justify, convey
Best and Worst Examples 1
• Declaration of topic:
Nursing is a demanding profession. WEAK
Nursing requires not only substantial education but also perfect self-discipline and enhanced
professional ethics. STRONG
• Questions:
Recent studies have revealed that people can learn during sleep and subconsciously modify
their behavior after they wake up. STRONG
Is study during sleep possible? WEAK
Best and Worst Examples 2
• Captain Obvious:
Weak: The Internet can be addictive.
Strong: Recent research shows that the unpredictable way in which useful e-mails arrive can
make checking for them addictive.
• Falling between 2 stools:
Weak: Sometimes students enjoy their studies, but sometimes they don’t.
Strong: There is a direct relationship between students’ attitudes towards study and their
learning outcomes.
Best and Worst Examples 3
Too many letters
Weak: I am going to discuss the importance of reducing sugar consumption in American
elementary school children who consume nine times the recommended daily amount of sugar
because of the prevalence of soda machines and unhealthy snacks in the school canteens. (41
words)
Strong: Sugar consumption by American elementary school children should be reduced by
controlling the menus of school canteens and raising children’s awareness of healthy diets.
(26 words)
Let’s try to
spot a
thesis!
On each of the following slides, read the writing prompt and the two sample statements. Click on the one
that is the best choice for a thesis.
1. 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.

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

Option B

One person I admire is Babe Ruth, the greatest baseball


player of all time.
Incorrect
Option
A
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.
Correct! Great Job!
Option B

One person I admire is Babe Ruth, the greatest baseball


player of all time.

This statement addresses the prompt and presents


and opinion that can be argued.
2. …Discuss the social, political, and economic effects of World War II
on the United States.

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

Option 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.
Incorrect
Option
A
World War II was a costly war that had a major impact
on the economy of the United States
Although this 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.
Correct Again!!!!
Option
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.
3. … Describe three physical features of Latin America and their
importance to the region.

Option A
The Andes Mountains, the Amazon River, and Yucatan
Peninsula are the three most significant physical features in
Latin America.
Option 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.
Correct! You are getting this!
Option
The Andes Mountains, the AAmazon 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)
Almost! But not quite.
Option
B in Latin America are the
Three physical features found
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.

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