Transcript WRITING A THESIS STATEMENT

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Research paper
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A one-sentence statement identifying the main
idea, topic and purpose of your research paper.
Tells the readers what they will encounter in
your paper.
It is the last sentence in your introductory
paragraph.
It is what you will argue to prove through your
entire paper.
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Builds reader interest
Helps the reader know what to expect
Helps the writer focus the composition
Helps the writer check that necessary information
is included
Helps the writer decide what research and
arguments to include
Helps the writer make edits – cuts and additions –
to the composition
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In the following thesis statements, what do you expect the
content of each writer’s composition to be?
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Year-round school schedules help reduce overcrowding in
classrooms and improve overall academic performance.
o Benefits of year-round schooling
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As computers make information gathering easier,
individuals must work harder to safeguard their privacy.
o Ways computer users can safeguard their privacy
SHOULD
SHOULD NOT
Tell the topic of your paper
Be an incomplete thought
State the view and purpose for
writing
Be a simple statement of fact
Express a sweeping opinion
Suggest what the paper will be
about and how it will be organized
Be stated as an announcement: “In
this paper I will show that…”
Be based on facts and information
Engage the reader’s interest
Be too general or overemotional
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Consider the jail system.
The jail system is bad.
o How is it bad?
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The jail system doesn’t work.
o Why?
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The jail system is ineffective.
o How is it ineffective?
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The jail system is ineffective because….
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Overpopulation, inadequate resources, doesn’t fix the problem
What do all of these issues have in common?
The jail system is ineffective because it lacks rehabilitation and
educational services.
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Now, what are some ideas/opinions I could discuss in my paper?
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Last week, the school board agreed on a plan to station
police officers in the hallways of Parker High School.
o A thesis statement SHOULD NOT be a simple statement of fact.
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Using police officers in the hallways of Parker High School is
a first step down the terrifying road of a dictatorship.
o A thesis statement SHOULD NOT express a sweeping opinion.
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Stationing police officers in our high school hallways is a
misuse of city resources and sends the unfair message that
students are not trusted.
o A thesis statement SHOULD make a point that can be supported by
facts.
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Look over your research. Think about all of the facts and ideas
you have collected about your topic.
Ask yourself: What is the main idea about the topic that these
facts and details suggest? What is the opinion that I want my
readers to accept?
Write a sentence or two expressing this idea or opinion. Reread it
and revise it as necessary. Ask yourself:
o Did I use specific language?
o Is my main idea clear?
o Can I support this position in my composition?
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Refer back to this thesis statement as you draft your
composition. Make sure that all of the information you include
supports this statement.