Thesis StatementsWriting An Effective Thesis Statement

By Melissa Lynch

California State Standards for 9-10th grade English

Writing Standards Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid

reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.

a. Introduce precise claim(s), distinguish the claim(s) from alternate or opposing claims, and create an organization that establishes clear relationships among claim(s), counterclaims, reasons, and evidence.

b. Develop claim(s) and counterclaims fairly, supplying evidence for each while pointing out the strengths and limitations of both in a manner that anticipates the audience’s knowledge level and concerns.

c. Use words, phrases, and clauses to link the major sections of the text, create cohesion, and clarify the relationships between claim(s) and reasons, between reasons and evidence, and between claim(s) and counterclaims.

d. Establish and maintain a formal style and objective tone while attending to the norms and conventions of the discipline in which they are writing.

e. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the argument presented.

2. Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.

a. Introduce a topic or thesis statement; organize complex ideas, concepts, and information to make important connections and distinctions; include formatting (e.g., headings), graphics (e.g., figures, tables), and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension. CA

b. Develop the topic with well-chosen, relevant, and sufficient facts, extended definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples appropriate to the audience’s knowledge of the topic.

c. Use appropriate and varied transitions to link the major sections of the text, create cohesion, and clarify the relationships among complex ideas and concepts.

d. Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to manage the complexity of the topic.

e. Establish and maintain a formal style and objective tone while attending to the norms and conventions of the discipline in which they are writing.

f. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the information or explanation presented (e.g., articulating implications or the significance of the topic).

4. Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. (Grade-specific expectations for writing types are defined in standards 1–3 above.)

5. Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on addressing what is most significant for a specific purpose and audience. (Editing for conventions should demonstrate command of Language standards 1–3 up to and including grades 9–10.)

Lesson Objectives

In this session, we will cover the following objectives:

Define thesis statements: topic, claim, three support points

Explain how thesis statements are uses in essays

View example thesis statements

Compose thesis statements

Establish how thesis statements are organized within an essay and how they are supported

What are thesis statements?

Define thesis statements. Where does the thesis statements go? How they are used?

Thesis statements provide the purpose of the essay.

Thesis statements are a one-sentence statement that provide the argument or claim that is defended and/or supported in an essay.

The entire essay is constructed around the thesis statement

Thesis statements should be structured in a prominent position in the introductory paragraph. It should be at the beginning or the end of the introductory paragraph so that it may stand out.

All of the body paragraphs support, defend and argue the thesis statement.

The thesis statement should be restated in the conclusion paragraph with supporting evidence.

Thesis statements are used in every essay, for every subject and genre of writing.

Three Foundations of Thesis Statements

In the introductory paragraph the thesis statement will address:

The Topic (what your paper will deal with)

The Claim (what you think about the topic, pro or con, and your angle)

Reasons that Support the Claim (three points that will support your claim)

There are two kinds of thesis statements: simple thesis statements and three-part thesis statements.

A simple thesis statement is a topic sentence that states the theme and claim of the entire essay.

Example:

School uniforms would benefit the academic and creative environment of the school.

A three-part thesis statement contains a list of the three support points applied in the body of the essay.

Example:

School uniforms would benefit the academic and creative environment of the school by concealing economic disparity among the student body, keeping students focused on academic rigor over cultural trends and by cultivating creativity through skill development and intellect.

Thesis Statement structure:

Dependent clause + Independent clause that contains the argument

A Dependent clause + Independent clause is a strong and classic foundation for a solid thesis statement. 

Dependent clause: A group of words that contains a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought. A dependent clause cannot be a complete sentence. 

Independent clause: A group of words that contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought. An independent clause is a complete sentence. In a thesis statement the independent clause contains the claim, the argument.

Thesis Statement Structure

Examples of thesis statements with the dependent clause + independent clause that contains the argument structure:

Example 1 (simple thesis statement): (dependent clause) Although some students say they express their individuality through fashion, (independent clause) school uniforms would benefit the academic and creative environment of the school.

Example 2 (three-part thesis statement): (dependent clause) Although some students say they express their individuality through fashion, (independent clause) school uniforms would benefit the academic and creative environment of the school by concealing economic disparity among the student body, keeping students focused on academic rigor over cultural trends and by cultivating creativity through skill development and intellect.

Dependent clause starters

Begin your dependent clause with one of the word or word phrases below. These starters will help you construct a thesis statement with a degree of comparison and complexity that will help establish your argument.

In order that As Whether

If Even though Until

After Although Where

Since Unless Though

Before While Even if

So that When Whenever

Even Whenever As long as

As if As soon as

Three support points

The three support points provide evidence that backs up your claim and organizes your argument. Your points should rely on evidence rather than your opinion. You will mention your three points in your introduction paragraph, in the same sequence that they will appear in the body paragraphs. Your support points should apply:

• Facts• Statistics• Textual Evidence• Quotations from

experts• Examples• Anecdotes• Comparisons

• Research study results• Logical reasoning

(inductive and deductive)• Anecdotal evidence• Testimonials• Public opinion• Survey results• Case studies

Sequencing

In literature, sequencing is the organization and order of events or ideas.

It often refers to the chronological order of events of a narrative, as one event follows after another.

It may also show how ideas relate through causality.

Or, how logic develops (using deductive or inductive reasoning) from a premise.

Sequence of three points

The three points below are ideas in a logical sequential order because they flow out of each other through causality.

1. conceal economic disparity among the student body

2. keep students focused on academic rigor over cultural trends

3. cultivate creativity through skill development and intellect.

Causality (also referred to as causation) commonly refers to the relationship between an event (the cause) and a second (later) event (the effect), where the second event is understood as a consequence of the first.

PromptsChoose a prompt for your practice:

Should child labor be legal?

Should public university tuition be raised to reflect the true costs of operation?

Should children be required to attend standardized (public or private) education or should they be given a choice to opt out?

Should community service be required in high school?

Are teenagers too old to celebrate Halloween?

Should girls be allowed to participate in boys sports teams and vice versa?

Are school uniforms beneficial to the academic environment?

Should all bicyclists be required to wear helmets?

Example

Simple statement, followed by a three-part independent statement.

Simple statement: Completion of standard 12th grade education should be mandatory for all students.

Three-part independent statement: Students may not realize the long-term benefits of education, core education standards are taught during the senior year, and they will have more job competencies and opportunities if they complete twelfth grade.

Thesis statement:

Completion of standard 12th grade education should be mandatory for all students. Students may not realize the long-term benefits of education, core education standards are taught during the senior year, and they will have more job competencies and opportunities if they complete twelfth grade.

Example

Dependent + independent clause. Follow by three-part independent statement.

Dependent + independent clause: Although thirty-percent of high school students drop out before graduation, completion of standard 12th grade education should be mandatory for all students.

Three-part independent statement: Students may not realize the long-term benefits of education, core education standards are taught during the senior year, and they will have more job competencies and opportunities if they complete twelfth grade.

Thesis statement:

Although thirty-percent of high school students drop out before graduation, completion of standard 12th grade education should be mandatory for all students. Students may not realize the long-term benefits of education, core education standards are taught during the senior year, and they will have more job competencies and opportunities if they complete twelfth grade.

Example

Dependent + independent clause + three-part clause

Dependent + independent clause: Although thirty-percent of high school students drop out before graduation, completion of standard 12th grade education should be mandatory for all students…

Three-part independent clause: …because students may not realize the long-term benefits of education, core education standards are taught during the senior year, and they will have more job competencies and opportunities if they complete twelfth grade.

Thesis statement: Although thirty-percent of high school students drop out before graduation, completion of standard 12th grade education should be mandatory for all students because students may not realize the long-term benefits of education, core education standards are taught during the senior year, and they will have more job competencies and opportunities if they complete twelfth grade.

Write your own thesis statements!

Give each style a try.

simple statement, followed by a three-part independent statement.

dependent + independent clause statement, followed by a three-part independent statement.

dependent + independent clause + three-part clause.