Thesis Statement Review
A thesis statement is a crucial element in academic writing. This lesson guides you through defining thesis statements, building them effectively, distinguishing between weak and strong statements, and practical application through workshop activities.
Download Presentation
Please find below an Image/Link to download the presentation.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author.If you encounter any issues during the download, it is possible that the publisher has removed the file from their server.
You are allowed to download the files provided on this website for personal or commercial use, subject to the condition that they are used lawfully. All files are the property of their respective owners.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author.
E N D
Presentation Transcript
Thesis Statement Review Steps to building a thesis statement
This lesson intends to o Define thesis statements o Give steps on how to build thesis statements o Provide explanation on what thesis statements are and are NOT o Give examples of weak and strong thesis statements so that students can understand the difference between good and bad thesis statements and see what works and what doesn t work o Complete a workshop activity after the powerpoint to practically apply the material just discussed.
A thesis statement is A thesis statement usually appears at the end of the introductory paragraph of a paper, and it offers a concise summary of the main point or claim of the essay, research paper, etc. Often times it is ONE sentence, but can be two, indicating a two-part thesis.
Step 1- Once you have a topic/idea, ask yourself the following questions: What is it you intend to prove? What is it you intend to argue? What have you discovered about your topic? What do you already know? What has already been said? (just so that you re not making the same argument) OR Ask yourself a couple of questions about your topic
Step 2: Turn your question into a position (stance) *** Totally avoid first person!! You re stating your opinion without stating that it s yours
Step 3- Narrow down your focus. Need to be specific! Ask questions about your stance. Ask a question that you can feasibly find an answer to, even if it s a general one. OR Ask who, what, where, when, why, and/or how? The answers will help to produce a narrow thesis.
Step 4- Try to avoid absolute statements Limits thesis statement arguability They re not unconditionally true- There are ALWAYS exceptions! Add the following vocabulary (if necessary)- few, many, some, sometimes, often, in some cases, often, probably
*** Note Best way to construct a rough thesis is to write out what you want to say in plain language. Adjust the language later. As the draft develops or you discover more in your note taking, the language of your thesis statement will develop as well.
Thesis statements are NOT Questions Generalizations Assertions Statements of mere facts Too broad Too narrow Specific yes, but very narrow, no An announcement of what you will do A good thesis statement will announce its purpose without a direct announcement Should not merely state a topic Makes no claim at all
Thesis statements ARE Arguable- something you have to give reasons for, or is worth proving an answer to the (research) question Complete sentence that expresses opinion Direction and/or focal point for the entire paper Sentences that pick a side (in argumentative essay)
Important to note Thesis MUST MATCH content!!! Without a carefully constructed thesis, essay has no chance at success! Likewise, if the content that follows the thesis DOES NOT support, or even connect to, thesis statement, your essay ALSO has no chance at success!
Avoid textual summary! Summary does not equal analysis! Summary only shows that you read the text analysis + synthesis = comprehension of text and ability to effectively arguing a point Do NOT summarize entire works or sections of literature and think you have done analysis. Select pieces of text that will make your argument and discuss/elaborate on those. Analysis- n. a detailed examination of anything complex Synthesis- n. the composition or combination of parts or elements so as to form a whole Versus Summary-n. a covering of the main points succintly
Examples of weak thesis statements- whats wrong with these? Increased access to technology/internet has distanced humanity from itself. This paper will show how increased access to technology/internet has distanced humanity from itself by referring to expert testimony, critical opinion, charts, graphs, and survey all of which combine to prove this theory. In the last ten years, society has found ways to increase its technological and internet access. Is the reasoning behind increased social media usage because many members of society feel the need to be constantly on display and can now think of themselves as celebrities that everyone needs/wants access to? Increased internet usage and technological access has utterly stripped humanity of its ability to communicate in person and has also absolutely drained its finances.
Lets discuss Eating fast food is bad and should be avoided. VS. Americans should eliminate the regular consumption of fast food because the fast food diet leads to preventable and expensive health issues, such as diabetes, obesity, and eheart disease.
Lets discuss There are high numbers of homeless people living in Berkeley, California. VS. Homeless people in Berkeley should be given access to services, such as regular food donations, public restrooms, and camping facilities, because it would improve life for all inhabitants of the city.
Lets discuss Humans should relocate to Mars. It s too late to save the earth; therefore, humans should immediately set a date for their relocation to Mars, where, with the proper planning, they can avoid issues of famine, war, and global warming. VS.
Lets discuss Secondhand smoke is bad and can cause heart disease and cancer; therefore, smoking should be outlawed in public places, but outlawing smoking is unfair to smokers so many non-smokers can just hold their breath or wear masks around smokers instead Secondhand smoke is just as harmful as smoking and leads to a higher prevalence of cancer and heart disease. What s worse, people who inhale secondhand smoke are doing it without consent. For this reason, smoking an any public place should e banned. VS.
Thesis Statement Checklist http://sociology.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/docum ents/student_services/writing_guide/Thesis%20Statem ent%20Checklist.pdf
