Thesis Statements
True or false: A thesis statement should be the last sentence of the introduction.
True
What is the first sentence of the introduction?
A hook or interest statement.
What should be the first sentence of a body paragraph?
The topic sentence, which gives a reason supporting the thesis statement.
What must be in a conclusion?
A rephrased thesis.
How and when should you cite evidence?
Every time you put evidence in your essay, even if it is in your own words.
Which of the following is not an effective thesis statement:
1. Students are obsessed with their smart phones.
2. Students should be required to take hand-written notes in high school.
3. I think schools should punish students for bullying on social media.
4. While some disagree, the United States should dedicate money to develop living on Mars.
3. I think schools should punish students for bullying on social media.
What follows the first sentence of the introduction?
A bridge statement.
What should you use within a body paragraph and not necessarily at the beginning of a body paragraph?
A transition word or phrase.
True or False: It is good enough to just rewrite the same thesis statement?
False. A thesis statement must be rephrased in the conclusion.
What is wrong with this MLA citation?
According to Kids’ Health Now, “Many students spend their summer months participating in recreational hobbies. Very few enrich their minds in activities that will keep their focus sharp or their brain making new connections.” (Smith 24)
Which of the following is the best thesis statement for an argumentative essay:
1. All four-year-olds should attend preschool.
2. Do you think preschool should be required?
3. Some people want to send their kids to preschool; others do not think it is necessary.
1. All four-year-olds should attend preschool.
What is the purpose of the bridge statement?
To connect the hook or interest statement to the thesis.
How many pieces of evidence should you have in each body paragraph?
In an argumentative essay, what is the name of the statement that calls the reader's attention before finishing the essay?
A "zinger" or a "call to action".
Which of the following sentences if a transitional sentence?
A.In fact, research shows that Americans collectively check their phones eight billion times per day.
B.Digital detoxes not only help people to reconnect with family and friends but also increase our focus.
C.Even though technology is supposed to make us feel more connected, it actually makes most people feel more alone.
D.If cell phones, tablets, and laptops have taken over our society, destroyed our social lives, and hindered our abilities to focus and remember important information, why would anyone resist a restorative break?
B. Digital detoxes not only help people to reconnect with family and friends but also increase our focus.
Explain the difference between a thesis statement in an argumentative essay and a thesis statement in an expository essay.
In an argumentative essay, the thesis has to take a side. In an expository essay, the thesis has to explain what the essay is about.
Give an example of a type of hook that can be used in an essay.
An interesting quote, fact, or statistic
An "Imagine if" statement
A definition
An analogy
A short anecdote
Relevant background information
What is the purpose of a counterclaim and what has to follow it?
The counterclaim provides the opposing viewpoint to the topic sentence or thesis/claim.
It must be followed by a rebuttal.
True or False: Using emotional words can help to leave the audience with a lasting impact in a conclusion.
True. This is the "emotions" technique.
Read this introduction for an expository essay. What type of essay is being written?
1. Main Idea - Detail
2. Compare and contrast
3. Cause and effect
4. Problem-solution
It’s not just natural forces such as volcanoes, earthquakes, wind, water, and ice that shape the earth. Humans also have an impact on the Earth, and it is not always a good one.
3. Cause and effect
Write/Say a thesis statement on the topic of cheating for an expository essay.
Responses will vary, but the thesis should not claim a side, but rather provide reasons to explain cheating in school.
"Only one in three children are physically active every day according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services".
This hook is a fact or statistic.
Read the body paragraph. Then give three things that are good about it:
Scary movies can cause sleep deprivation. According to an article from Livestrong, “Shadows seem intimidating, noises are magnified, and dreams are often unsettling” (Fritscher). Many children already wake up in the middle of the night because they are scared, have to use the restroom, or are cold. Showing children scary movies will just increase the frequency of these night wakings, which will also cause more daytime crankiness and anxiety. Moreover, scary movies can have a lasting impact. In fact, one fourth of older students say they are still frightened by films they saw in their childhood (DeGroat). If children are exposed to films inappropriate for their age group, they could be traumatized for a lifetime. Horror films cause sleep deprivation, but another related concern is aggression and violence.
1. There is a clear topic sentence.
2. The body paragraph has two relevant pieces of evidence.
3. At the end of the body paragraph, the writer summarizes the paragraph.
4. The writer uses transition words and phrases within the body paragraph.
What is the name of the "zinger" technique that uses single syllable words?
The drama technique.
Look at this sentence. Find three mistakes:
Its not to much work to prepare for the vocabulary quizzes; but you have to study.
1. "Its" should be "It's"
2. "to" should be "too"
3. The ";" should be a ","