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WRITING-THESIS-STATEMENT

This document provides guidance on writing effective thesis statements for essays, emphasizing their role as the central idea that guides the writing process. It outlines characteristics of a strong thesis statement, such as being concise, focused on a specific issue, and expressing a clear stance. Additionally, it offers tips on formulating a thesis statement and common pitfalls to avoid, such as making overly opinionated stands or stating only facts.

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9 views21 pages

WRITING-THESIS-STATEMENT

This document provides guidance on writing effective thesis statements for essays, emphasizing their role as the central idea that guides the writing process. It outlines characteristics of a strong thesis statement, such as being concise, focused on a specific issue, and expressing a clear stance. Additionally, it offers tips on formulating a thesis statement and common pitfalls to avoid, such as making overly opinionated stands or stating only facts.

Uploaded by

xeahreese
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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UNIT 2-LESSON 2

WRITING THESIS
STATEMENT
RWS 11
INTRODUCTION
 A thesis statement prepares
you for writing your essay.
 It serves as a guide and a
roadmap to your destination.
THESIS STATEMENT

Is the central idea of an essay, around


which all other ideas evolve.
It is not just the most important idea; it also
controls the essay by determining what
you should or should not include in your
work.
In one sentence, it reveals and
summarizes the argument you intend to
develop and defend.
THESIS STATEMENT

Reflects your purpose for


writing
It is a constant reminder of
your main point and your stand,
directing the entire flow of your
writing.
THESIS STATEMENT

 is not the subject or topic itself, but an


interpretation of the topic.
Example:
If you were asked to write an essay on Noli Me
Tangere or Martial Law during President Marcos’
time, your thesis statement would inform the
reader of how you understand such a topic and
what you deem to be important or debatable
about it.
FORMULATING A THESIS STATEMENT

 The thesis statement comes as a


result of pre-writing. It is the
product of thinking about your ideas,
seeking evidence, and looking for
relationships between these.
Questions to help you find out a thesis statement

 What main idea does most of my pre-writing


support?
 What are the relationships that exist among my
ideas?
 Which aspect of the topic seems to be given the
most detail?
 Where does my stand seem to be most
consistent?
 What is the focus of the most interesting and
significant points of my pre-writing?
 What ideas should I do more research on?
FORMULATING A THESIS STATEMENT

Whatever thesis statement you come up with


initially is called a working thesis statement,
an argument containing your stand and that
you intend to prove with evidence in the essay.
It is called such because you may have to
adjust your thesis statement depending on
your research and writing.
FORMULATING A THESIS STATEMENT

Whatever thesis statement you come up with


initially is called a working thesis statement,
an argument containing your stand and that
you intend to prove with evidence in the essay.
It is called such because you may have to
adjust your thesis statement depending on
your research ad writing.
FORMULATING A THESIS STATEMENT
FORMULATING A THESIS STATEMENT
CHARACTERISTICS OF AN EFFECTIVE THESIS STATEMENT

Responds to the assignment by following


1. instructions

Going back to the instructions can


assure you that your thesis
statement is relevant and addresses
what your teacher has prescribed. It
also refocus your argument if
needed.
CHARACTERISTICS OF AN EFFECTIVE THESIS STATEMENT

2. Expresses the main idea in one to two sentences

A thesis statement should be


comprehensive yet concise because
you will be spending the rest of the
paper proving your point.
CHARACTERISTICS OF AN EFFECTIVE THESIS STATEMENT

3. Focus on a specific issue

Your thesis statement should be


sufficiently narrowed based on the
boundaries of the assignment, and
should only discuss one or a few related
issues so that your paper remains
focused and you do not ramble or leave
some parts undeveloped.
CHARACTERISTICS OF AN EFFECTIVE THESIS STATEMENT

4. States a stand on the topic

A thesis statement must reveal your


attitude toward the topic. Your attitude will
show how you intend to interpret or
discuss the issue, and this is what
differentiates you from other writers who
may be writing about the same topic.
CHARACTERISTICS OF AN EFFECTIVE THESIS STATEMENT

Says something meaningful by answering the


5. questions: “So what?” “How?” “Why?”

 A good thesis statement shows why the reader


should care about your wok. The significance of
your paper is clear to the reader if your thesis
statement is able to answer the question, “So
what?” Next, your thesis statement should be able
to substantiate your claim by providing the reader
evidence, or an idea of how you intend to support
your stand. This is usually answerable by
addressing “how” and “why.”
CHARACTERISTICS OF AN EFFECTIVE THESIS STATEMENT

6. Preview the rest of the essay by


being placed in the introduction

A thesis statement is usually


placed in the introduction so that
the reader knows what to expect
in reading your essay.
CHARACTERISTICS OF AN EFFECTIVE THESIS STATEMENT

Reflects a tone and point-of-view appropriate


7. to the identified purpose and audience

Your thesis statement should


consider the writing situation you find
yourself in. This requires thinking
about why you are writing and who
you are writing for.
MORE GUIDELINES ON WRITING THESIS STATEMENTS

1. Avoid making overly-opinionated stands

Example: Instead of saying, “The officers


of the Reserve Officers Training Corps are
merciless slave drivers who abuse their
fellow student,” you might say, “The
officers of the officers of the Reserve
Officers Training Corps should sensitive to
how they lead their fellow students.”
MORE GUIDELINES ON WRITING THESIS STATEMENTS

2. Avoid making announcements

Sometimes, it is easier just to tell your reader what


you intend to write about. You might say, “In this
essay, I will be discussing the benefits of joining
the Reserve Officers Training Corps.” The problem
with this statement is that it does not specify what
those benefits are or what your attitude toward the
subject is.
MORE GUIDELINES ON WRITING THESIS STATEMENTS

3. Avoid stating only facts

If you rely only on facts in your thesis


statements, you will not have much room
for discussion, because facts are
generally not as debatable as opinions.
Your thesis statement must contain a
position that your readers can oppose.

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