Identifying the Thesis

Statement
LESSON 4
1. Twelfth-grade students are busy.
2. Today's movies do not have the emotional impact of the classic
horror movies of the 1940s.
3. The life of a typical grade 12 student is challenging due to the
need to succeed in extra-curricular activities.
4. The first mountaineering attempt can challenge a person both in
body and spirit.
5. Students should help others who are less fortunate.
6. Popular music is the best music ever.
7. Many people do not like watching violent horror movies.
8. I enjoy mountaineering.
9. Community service projects include building shelter for the homeless,
servicing meals to the hungry, providing transportation for the sick,
distributing clothes, and a large number of other helpful activities.
10. Although many people find rap music offensive, it has had a positive
impact on today’s youth.
 Thesis Statement Defined
A thesis statement is the main idea of an essay. It is often a
point you want to argue or support in an essay.

Moreover, the thesis statement explains to a reader the main

idea of the essay and the writer's opinion on that idea. It is usually
one sentence and often placed in the introductory paragraph of an
essay.
 Thesis Statement Defined
A thesis statement is a claim that could be argued. The
essay will contain evidences and opinions that support the
argument.

A thesis statement is the controlling idea that you will

develop in your paper. This can be found usually at the end of an
introduction. A thesis statement can be one sentence. However, if
necessary, it can also be two or three sentences.
 Thesis Statement Defined
Thesis statements avoid the following:
 the first person (I believe, In my opinion, etc.)
 unclear language (It seems, etc.)
 attempting two topics at once (even if they seem
related). Pick one and stick with it.
 just stating a fact - A thesis is something you plan to
make an argument about.
 Thesis Statement Defined
A thesis statement should:
✓ contain a topic (main idea of what you are
writing about)
✓ contain an opinion about the topic (what
your attitude is toward the topic)
 Elements of a Thesis Statement
1. Topic. The topic of your paper.
2. Argument/Claim.
This depends on the type of paper you are writing. If it
is an argumentative paper, then this should express your
opinion. If it is a research or explanatory paper, this should
explain the purpose of your paper.

3. Evidence. The support for your argument/claim.

 Elements of a Thesis Statement
If you already have these three elements, you can combine
them to create your thesis statement.
Example 1: (argumentative)
1. Topic – The Harry Potter book series
2. Argument – stole many fantastical elements from The
Lord of the Rings series
3. Evidence – giant spiders, dangerous hooded undead
creatures (Dementors and Nazgul), and a wise mentor.
 Thesis Statement:
The Harry Potter book series stole many
fantastical elements from the Lord of the Rings
series. Some of the uncanny similarities include
giant spiders, dangerous hooded undead creatures,
and a wise mentor that the hero must learn to
survive without.
 Elements of a Thesis Statement
Example 2: (Research/explanatory)
1. Topic – Cheese
2. Argument – has healthy tendencies
3. Evidence – calcium helps bones and teeth, boosts the
growth of good bacteria in the gut, and the protein
helps cells repair themselves
 Thesis Statement:
Research has shown that cheese has healthy
tendencies because its calcium provides necessary
nutrients for the growth of bone and teeth, it boosts
the growth of food bacteria in the gut, and it has
protein that helps cells repair themselves.
 Process in WRITING a THESIS STATEMENT

Step 1: TOPIC. State the topic under consideration. (E.g. cats)

Step 2: ISSUE. State the specific issue in the form of a debating
proposition (for something). The issue usually answers the question “what?”
What about cats? (E.g. Cats should be subject to leash laws.)
Step 3: POSITION + RATIONALE (because clause). Your topic and
issue = your position. Now, using a because-clause, e.g. Cats should be
subject to leash laws because they are natural wanderers.
 Tips for Writing your Thesis Statement
1. Determine what kind of paper you are writing:
▪ An analytical paper breaks down an issue or an idea into its component
parts, evaluates the issue or idea, and presents this breakdown and evaluation
to the audience.
▪ An expository (explanatory) paper explains something to the audience.
▪ An argumentative paper makes a claim about a topic and justifies this claim
with specific evidence. The claim could be an opinion, a policy proposal, an
evaluation, a cause-and-effect statement, or an interpretation. The goal of the
argumentative paper is to convince the audience that the claim is true based
on the evidence provided.
 Tips for Writing your Thesis Statement
2. Your thesis statement should be specific—it should cover only
what you will discuss in your paper and should be supported with
specific evidence.
3. The thesis statement usually appears at the end of the first
paragraph of a paper.
4. Your topic may change as you write, so you may need to revise
your thesis statement to reflect exactly what you have discussed in
the paper.
Characteristics of an Effective Thesis
Statement (Rex 2016)
1. A strong thesis statement usually contains an element of uncertainty,
risk, or challenge, meaning that it should offer a debatable claim that
can be proven or disproved in the essay.
2. An effective thesis statement is not just a statement of fact or a
description of a topic. Instead, it describes for the reader what the
particular position of the writer is on an issue, or his/her interpretation
of the significance of a particular idea.
3. A thesis statement should not merely announce something or state a
fact. Rather, it should give an essay tension by introducing ideas that
may challenge the reader’s views.
Characteristics of an Effective Thesis
Statement (Rex 2016)
4. It is important that a thesis statement is not too general
because the writer will not have enough space to cover every
possible aspect of the thesis statement.
Example:
general idea - gadget
narrow idea - wired headphones
general idea - appliances
narrow idea - microwave oven
How to Write an
Effective Thesis
Statement
1. Written in complete sentence with
clearly stated subject.
DON’T
Computers as helpful tools in teaching
DO
Computers can help teacher effectively impart the lesson.
2. Not too narrow or too broad.
DON’T
Many events in the history of the Philippines contributed
to the country’s changes.
DO
In the history of the Philippines, People Power I was one
of the major events which changed our county, especially
the culture, structure, and politics of the Philippines.
3. Avoid stating the obvious.
“I will tell you…” “I will talk about…”
DON’T
I will tell you about how the increase in the number of
squatters in Metro Iloilo can be attributed to the effects of
overpopulation and gentrification.
DO
An increase in the number of squatters in Metro Iloilo
can be attributed to the effects of overpopulation and
gentrification.
4. Enumerated details should have equal
importance. Delete redundant details.
DON’T
Although Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) help raise the country’s
economy, add more revenues, and promote hospitality of Filipinos, the
government has to create more jobs so that OFWs do not have to leave their
families.
DO
Although Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) help raise the country’s
economy, and promote the hospitality of Filipinos, the government
has to create more jobs so that OFWs do not have to leave their
families.
5. Should not state an absolute fact.

DON’T
Rizal Park is located in Manila.

DO
Rizal Park which is located in Manila, is a
reminder of our nationalism and revolution.