2. It is typically one sentence; however, sometimes you
may need more than one sentence.
It states the main idea or argument of your essay.
It lets your reader know what to expect.
It is the basis for your entire essay.
It is the most important part of your essay.
It is awesome (kinda).
3. What does a thesis
statement do?
A thesis statement…
provides the point you want to prove.
Presents your argument in a concise form.
gives the structure your essay will follow.
can provide the opposite point of view.
4. Are there different types of
thesis statements?
Open vs. Closed
An Open Thesis does not contain the body points.
i.e. Everyone should drive a hybrid car.
A Closed Thesis includes the body points.
i.e. Everyone should drive a hybrid car because they
pollute less, they get better mileage, and they help reduce
gasoline costs.
5. Your thesis is the
foundation of your essay
The entire essay attempts to prove that your
thesis is correct.
Constantly refer back to your thesis to make sure
that your essay is staying on track
If you used a Closed Thesis, your body
paragraphs should cover one of the points
mentioned in your thesis.
Your body paragraphs should go in the same order as
the points they cover were mentioned in the thesis.
8. Simple or Complex?
A beginning THESIS STATEMENT:
A is B.
A better THESIS STATEMENT:
A is B because of x, y, and z
A more complex THESIS STATEMENT:
Although C is D, A is B because of x, y,
and z.
9. Thesis Formula
Although , ________
because _,_____________
and
_______________________.
gasoline-powered cars are popularpeople should drive hybrid cars
they cut down on pollution they save you money on
gas,
hybrid owners receive special tax breaks
10. _________________________ + __________________________
Subject Opinion
because _____________________________, _____________________________,
reason 1 reason 2
_________________________________________
reason 3
Although _________________________________________________,
counter argument (opposite of your opinion)
the war on drugs is a travesty of justice
sentencing laws are discriminatory more prisons than colleges are built
and addition is treated as a crime rather than a disease.
most politicians support ongoing funding for the DEA
11. Thesis Formula
Although , ________
because _____.
many people remain
skeptical
the gov’t should fund research on
bigfoot
compelling evidence suggests it exists
12. Simple or Complex?
Examples:
BASIC THESIS (just alright!): Community
colleges are an important part of California’s
educational system.
MORE COMPLEX THESIS (much better!):
Community colleges are an important part of
California’s educational system because they
are a more cost-effective way to attain a degree,
classes are smaller, and they prepare students
for the demands of University life.
13. Simple or Complex?
Examples:
VERY COMPLEX THESIS (perfect!!): Although
many students want to go straight from high
school to a four-year university, community
colleges are an important part of California’s
educational system because they are a more
cost-effective way to attain a degree, classes are
smaller than at most four-year universities, and
they prepare students for the demands of
University life.
14. A Few Examples
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer was written by Mark
Twain in 1876.
Some people think that The Adventures of Tom
Sawyer is Mark Twain’s best novel.
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is Mark Twain’s best novel.
Although some scholars argue that Huckleberry Finn is
Twain’s crowning achievement, the Adventures of Tom
Sawyer is Mark Twain’s best novel because of its use of
satire, imagery, and symbolism.
WEAK
WEAK
STRONG
STRONGER
15. Once all necessary and relevant
background knowledge is stated, it
is typically then that a thesis
statement can be declared in the
last sentence of the
introduction paragraph.
17. Prompts
What do you believe are the benefits of daily exercise?
Are online courses better than traditional course? Why or why
not?
Do you believe that television has more of a negative or
positive impact on society? Why or why not?
What age do you think is more appropriate for someone to be
able to get their driver’s license, and why?
What do you think should be the main priorities for California’s
budget?
Should marijuana be legalized in CA?
18. The Five Paragraph Essay
Although dangerous martial arts beneficial because they teach discipline, patience,
and character.
19. The Five Paragraph Essay
In defense of the 5 paragraph essay
Ill Effects of the Five Paragraph theme
The length of your essay—the number of paragraphs,
the sentences in each paragraph, etc—depends on
the audience.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that essays
should only be five paragraphs long. Even if you list
three points in your thesis, you may need 20
paragraphs to explain those three points.
20. Strategies for Introductions
Controversial statement
Rhetorical Question
Story or anecdote
Startling statistic
Statement of popular opinion that is contradicted or
shown to be untrue
Comparison or analogy
Rhetorical Devices: poetic, repetition, anticipation,
emphasis
21. Introductions
Scan some website, news sites, blogs, etc., and look
for an article with an engaging introduction.
What makes it engaging? Why do you want to read
it?
23. Group Work
Exercise:
Write the first few sentences of
an introduction using rhetorical
device(s).
Topic: What would you change
about Valley College?
25. Strategies for Conclusion
Aristotle, in The Rhetoric, tells us a good writer
should do this in the conclusion: "make the
audience well-disposed towards ourselves and ill-
disposed to our opponent."
Go beyond restating and/or summarizing.
One way to achieve this is to explain the
benefits if the audience accepts our view.
It's a good opportunity to make inferences or
predictions. Ask the audience to consider
what would happen if they don’t accept our
point of view. Make a connection to society
in general, the bigger picture, the human
condition.
