Just what is a thesis statement?

1
Just what is a thesis statement ?

• And why do I need to have one?

2
Thesis statement defined

• A thesis statement is a one sentence summary of
  what the main purpose of your paper is.
• It is very specific
• It clearly identifies the main purpose fo the
  paper.

3
Specific not General

• A good thesis statement is specific
• The life of Christopher Columbus has had a
  lasting impact on the world.
• An ineffective thesis statement is too general
• Christopher Columbus was an explorer

4
The thesis doesnt just announce the topic

• It shows the purpose of the paper
• California has a wide variety of interesting
  geographical features.
• No clear purpose
• My report is on the state of California.

5
The thesis is not the title of your paper

• Again the thesis declares the purpose of the
  paper
• The giant rock formations of Joshua Tree National
  Forest are perfect for rock climbing enthusiasts.
• Title and Thesis are not synonyms
• Joshua Tree National Park is home to many giant
  rocks.

6
So how to I write an effective thesis statement?

7
If the topic is given

• All assignments can be turned into a question
  that needs answering
• Example
• Your assignment is - Write a report to the local
  school board explaining the potential benefits of
  using computers in a fourth-grade class

8
Example continued

• Turn the assignment topic into a question
• What are the potential benefits of using
  computers in a fourth-grade class?
• Next write one or two sentences that answer that
  question
• (Hint - you might have wait until youve done the
  research to actually be able to answer the
  question.)

9
Two possible sentence stems

• The potential benefits of using computers in a
  fourth-grade class are . . .
• Using computers in a fourth-grade class
  promises to improve . . .

10
The topic is not assigned

• The thesis of your paper should still answer a
  question about the issue you want to explore. So
  you need to decide what question you want
  answered about this issue.
• So..

11
A good thesis has the following 4 qualities

• take on a subject upon which reasonable people
  could disagree
• deal with a subject that can be adequately
  treated given the nature of the assignment
• express one main idea
• assert your conclusions about a subject

12
Example

• You might be studying nutrition in health class
  and Americans consumption of sugar is a topic
  that interests you.
• Sugar Consumption is to general a topic

13
Example cont.

• Narrow the topic.
• Your readings about the topic, however, have led
  you to the conclusion that elementary school
  children are consuming far more sugar than is
  healthy.
• So..

14
You change your thesis to look like this

• Reducing sugar consumption by elementary school
  children.
• This statement is specific, but it isnt a
  thesis. It merely reports a statistic instead of
  making an assertion.
• Next take a position -
• Because half of all American elementary school
  children consume nine times the recommended daily
  allowance of sugar, schools should be required to
  replace the beverages in soda machines with
  healthy alternatives.

15
How to Tell a Strong Thesis Statement from a Weak
One.

• 1. A strong thesis statement takes some sort of
  stand.
• 2. A strong thesis statement justifies
  discussion.
• 3. A strong thesis statement expresses one main
  idea.
• 4. A strong thesis statement is specific.

16
Examples Strong vs. weak

• Weak
• There are some negative and positive aspects to
  the Banana Herb Tea Supplement.
• Strong
• Because Banana Herb Tea Supplement promotes rapid
  weight loss that results in the loss of muscle
  and lean body mass, it poses a potential danger
  to customers.

17
More examples

• Weak
• My family is an extended family.
• Strong
• While most American families would view
  consanguineal marriage as a threat to the nuclear
  family structure, many Iranian families, like my
  own, believe that these marriages help reinforce
  kinship ties in an extended family.

18
Another example

• Weak
• Companies need to exploit the marketing potential
  of the Internet, and Web pages can provide both
  advertising and customer support.
• Strong
• Because the Internet is filled with tremendous
  marketing potential, companies should exploit
  this potential by using Web pages that offer both
  advertising and customer support.

19
Last example

• Weak
• World hunger has many causes and effects.
• Strong
• Hunger persists in Glandelinia because jobs are
  scarce and farming in the infertile soil is
  rarely profitable.

20
Sources

• http//www.geocities.com/fifth_grade_tpes/thesis.h
  tml
• http//www.indiana.edu/wts/pamphlets/thesis_state
  ment.shtml