Unit 5 Seminar

THE THESIS STATEMENT

What is the thesis statement? It is your “what’s the point?”What do you want your readers to

know. The main idea you are trying to

get across.Your message.The point you want to make.

The thesis statement isGenerally stated in a single sentence.Expresses an point of view, not a topic.Limits the topic.Indicates the kind of support to follow.Helps to organize the supporting materialIs precisely worded.It does NOT announce by saying: I am

going to tell you about….or My essay will

explain….

The thesis statementThe thesis statement is a

statement of

your topic and a comment about it.

The thesis statement usually appears at the end of the introduction.

Thesis statement vs. topic sentenceWhere does the thesis statement appear? Where does the topic sentence appear? What is the purpose of the thesis

statement? What is the purpose of the topic sentence? Which gives a broader overview? Which gives a more narrow overview?

General vs. specific thesis statementGeneral thesis statement: Sunshine offers people many

benefits. Specific thesis statement: Sunshine activates vitamin D,

alleviates depression, and minimizes energy costs. Remember, a standard research paper is 5 paragraphs—

introduction, 3 body paragraphs, conclusion. Each of the body paragraphs begins with a topic

sentence THAT MUST BASED ON THE THESIS STATEMENT.

Looking at the specific thesis statement, determine what the first, second, third body paragraphs will be about.

What will the first, second, third topic sentence say? If you use the more general thesis statement, what will

the first, second, third body paragraphs be about? What will the first, second, third topic sentence say? Which thesis statement is better—the general or the

specific?

And, now all together . . . What’s with our public schools? Identify

the thesis of this article.

http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/Opinion/2010/0929/Waiting-for-Superman-to-reform-education-He-s-already-here