True or False
True or False:
A good thesis statement is a fact.
False. Good thesis statements need to be opinions.
Which of the following makes the best thesis statement?
A: Even though marriage is a strong and respected institution in Russia, more and more people are choosing to live together before marriage, despite the cultural pressures.
B: I am going to explain why many couples in Russia are choosing to live together rather than get married.
C: Marriage in Russia
A. A thesis statement should not directly announce your topic by using phrases such as, "This essay will talk about…"
A. Scarification among the different ethnic groups in Ethiopia reflects the pride that people have for their tribe as well as the desire for identification between groups.
B. Why people from many ethnic groups in Ethiopia scar themselves.
C. In this essay, I will explain why people from many different ethnic groups in Ethiopia scar themselves.
A.
Work together to formulate a thesis statement on the whiteboard for the following prompt:
Some people believe owning a pet is important, while others do not. Using specific details and examples to support your position, argue for or against owning a pet.
Example: Owning a pet is important because they help you learn to be responsible, keep you from being lonely, and help you get through tough times.
Last sentence of introduction, first sentence of conclusion
True or False:
A good thesis statement sticks to asserting one main idea.
True. A good thesis statement will focus on the one, central idea of the essay.
Which of these is a thesis statement?
A. Knowing a foreign language.
B. Why should people know a foreign language?
C. Knowing a foreign language is a very useful skill because it can help one advance in a career, relate better to others, and open one's mind to the ideas of another culture.
C. A thesis statement is a complete sentence. A thesis statement is not a question.
A. "Timkat" is the most important holiday in my country. The most important events that make up this holiday include the procession of priests, mass, communion, and finally baptism.
B. An important holiday in my country is Timkat, which means epiphany. Many events are included in this holiday.
C. I am going to describe an important holiday in my country.
A
Work together to formulate a thesis statement on the whiteboard for the following prompt:
Identify a challenge facing students, and use specific details and examples to explain ways to overcome that challenge.
Example: A challenge facing students is too many SOL tests, which students can overcome by studying, completing their homework, and paying attention in class.
What three things do you need in an introduction paragraph?
Hook
Transition to thesis statement
Thesis statement
True or False:
You write the thesis statement in the last sentence in the conclusion paragraph.
False. Last sentence in the introductory paragraph
Which of these is a thesis statement?
A. Michelangelo's artwork is powerful because of its strong spiritual undertones.
B. Michelangelo's artwork is famous and is admired by many.
C. Michelangelo was a great artist in Rome during the 1500's.
A. A thesis statement states an attitude or opinion on a topic. It doesn't just state the topic, itself. A thesis should not be a fact.
A. I've lived in a small town my entire life and have enjoyed it.
B. Living in a big city has many headaches.
C. In contrast to living in a big city, I enjoy living in a smaller town, because I have closer relationships with my neighbors and the pace of life is much healthier.
C
Work together to formulate a thesis statement on the whiteboard for the following prompt:
Students often learn how to budget their time in order to complete important tasks and still have time for themselves. Explain how learning to budget time is an important skill for students. Use specific details and examples in your response.
Example: Learning to budget time is an important skill for students so that they can get all their work finished, have time to themselves and their families, and can be stress-free.
What are the three parts of a thesis statement?
Topic
Opinion
Three supporting reasons
True or False:
Your thesis statement states the main idea of the essay in two sentences.
False. Often in one complete sentence.
Which of these makes the best thesis statement?
A. The reasons why I came to the United States to study.
B. The reasons why I came to the United States to study were to educate myself and then to return to Tunisia to apply my education.
C. There were many reasons why I came to the United States to study.
B. A thesis statement can be made more specific by listing subtopics. These help give your reader a clear idea of what will follow in your essay.
A. Some of the major causes behind common diseases in the United States could be traced to three main factors: poor diet, lack of exercise, and smoking.
B. What are some of the main causes behind many of our diseases in the United States today?
C. This essay examines some of the major causes behind many of our diseases in the United States today.
A.
Work together to formulate a thesis statement on the whiteboard for the following prompt:
Think about how daily life, from reading to playing games to communicating with others, has changed over the past hundred years because of technology. Explain how these advancements in technology have changed daily life.
Example: Technology has changed daily life because we no longer have to send letters but can send emails or texts, we can order items online and get them soon after, and we have more advanced vehicles that let us travel farther and faster.
Persuasive
True or False:
"Child abuse is a terrible problem." This statement is a poor thesis statement.
True. This statement is only pointing out the obvious--most reasonable people agree that child abuse is both terrible, and a problem.
Which of these makes the best thesis statement?
A. Franklin Delano Roosevelt began the system of Social Security during the depression years in the 1930s.
B. We shouldn't have Social Security anymore.
C. The current system of Social Security needs a complete overhaul in administration and philosophy if it is going to benefit future generations.
C. A-a fact; B-too general; C-states one main idea with two subtopics.
A. There are many ways in which you can look for a new house.
B. You can look for a new house by reading the classified ads, talking to a realtor, or talking with friends about houses in the area in which you want to live.
C. Buying a new house is a difficult thing to do.
B.
Work together to formulate a thesis statement on the whiteboard for the following prompt:
Scientist Albert Einstein said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Include specific details and examples to convince others to support your position.
Example: Imagination is more important than knowledge because imagination can spark creativity, it can lead to new inventions, and it can make people happier.
What is the purpose of a call-to-action?
To motivate the readers to do something about the cause