Thesis+Statement

=Thesis Statement=

[] The Thesis Statement: Why Is It So Important?

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The Thesis Statement: the “road map” to a good paper

Definition: A thesis statement is a complete sentence that summarizes the paper's purpose. This summarizing idea controls the content of your entire research paper or essay. A thesis statement may also contains subpoints that help a reader know how the paper will be organized. For that reason, the thesis statement is like a good “road map.”

Example: When I was young, I always knew that I wanted to become a teacher someday. When I played, I would often gather my dolls together and pretend to teach them how to do math problems or how to read a book. As I grew older, my desire to become a teacher became clearer as I did some volunteer teaching overseas and in the United States. As I look back on my reasons for becoming a teacher, three reasons stand out: my love for the English language, my interest in how people learn, and my desire to help other people.

1. Where’s the thesis statement in this paragraph? 2. What are the subpoints that will be discussed in this essay?

Another Example: Who would have thought that a boy with such humble beginnings would become the “King of Rock and Roll”? That’s exactly what Elvis Aaron Presley did as he changed the music industry with his personality, his music, and his style. For his contributions in music, Elvis Presley has made a significant impact on American culture.

Thesis Statement Key Points: It doesn’t just state the topic itself.
 * states the main idea of the essay in a complete sentence, not in a question.
 * is most often located at the end of an introduction.
 * states an opinion or attitude on a topic without saying “in my opinion,” “to me,” “I think,” etc.
 * It often lists the subtopics you plan to write about.

What you DON’T SEE, SAY or WRITE in a Thesis statement or opening paragraph:

This is my essay about... This is the introduction where I tell you about... This is the first paragraph. It is about my person’s background. Here’s when he was born... That’s all I have to say for this paragraph. Now, I’ll talk about the second point. In this paragraph, you’ll read about..... This is the conclusion paragraph. In the introduction, I told you about.... In the second paragraph I wrote..... I think... To me.... In my opinion...