2. • It is one sentence.
• It states the main idea or argument of your
essay.
• It is typically placed at the end of the
introduction paragraph.
• It lets your reader know what to expect.
• It is the basis for your entire essay.
• It is the most important part of your essay.
3. YOUR THESIS STATEMENT IS
COMPRISED OF TWO PARTS:
1. The topic/subject.
2. Your opinion of the topic.
Quick Activity: Pick a subject that you feel you can
support or disprove and try to think of three
things you feel support your idea.
For example: LAVC is a great college because of their
experienced teachers, skilled tutoring offices,
and welcoming academic environment.
4. • The Thesis is the central idea of attention within
an essay
• It tells the reader what position you are
supporting about the subject in the essay.
• The thesis must always be a complete sentence
that is: specific, succinct, and suggestive of the
organization to be followed in the essay.
5. • The THESIS STATEMENT doesn’t always come
first in the writing process, but it is good to
develop it early so you can use it as a guide for
your paper.
• I am writing about ____________ , and I am
going to argue, show, or prove that
_________, by stating that ___________ ,
_____________ , and _____________.
6. » Just as E = mc²…
• Subject + Opinion = Thesis
9. Where Does the THESIS STATEMENT
Go?
Cont…
• The first sentence of your introductory
paragraph should contain an attention getter,
which is a sentence that attracts your reader’s
attention makes them want to read further.
• The introduction paragraph of an essay
provides the reader with a general survey of
information of the subject being discussed.
10. • Once all necessary and relevant
background knowledge is stated, it is
typically then that a thesis statement can
be declared in the last sentence of the
introduction paragraph.
11. Where Does the THESIS STATEMENT
Go?
Cont…
• After the Thesis Statement, an essay has body
paragraphs. Each body paragraph should be at
least 3-4 sentences long and will include a topic
sentence and concluding sentence to let the
reader know what that paragraph will discuss.
• These body paragraphs should discuss what you
have stated in your Thesis Statement using
evidence to back up your claims.
12. Where Does the THESIS STATEMENT
Go?
Cont…
• After your body paragraphs, you will have a
conclusion paragraph that is located at the very
end of your essay.
• Your conclusion paragraph should restate the
ideas in your Thesis, but in a different way.
Conclude your thoughts and let the reader know
why you have successfully proved your point.
13. Simple or Complex?
• A beginning THESIS STATEMENT:
A is B.
• A better THESIS STATEMENT:
A is B because of x, y, and z
• A more complex THESIS STATEMENT:
Although C is D, A is B because of x, y, and z.
14. Simple or Complex?
Examples:
• BASIC THESIS (just alright!): Community colleges
are an important part of California’s educational
system.
• MORE COMPLEX THESIS (much better!):
Community colleges are an important part of
California’s educational system because they are
a more cost-effective way to attain a degree,
classes are smaller, and they prepare students for
the demands of University life.
15. Simple or Complex?
Examples:
• VERY COMPLEX THESIS (perfect!!): Although
many students want to go straight from high
school to a four-year university, community
colleges are an important part of California’s
educational system because they are a more
cost-effective way to attain a degree, classes
are smaller than at most four-year
universities, and they prepare students for the
demands of University life.
16. • Although is a conjunction that means, “in
spite of the fact; even though,” and is helpful
in connecting and comparing/contrasting
different, but related, ideas.
• Because is also a conjunction that means, “for
the reason that; since,” and is useful for
offering insight and introducing supporting
details for a claim.
17. • Thesis statements that are too broad and general
will lead to an essay that lacks focus.
• Certain words may be used to narrow the focus
of an argument, as well as expand a thesis
statement to make it as specific as possible.
– EXAMPLE: “While, “Although,” “Because”:
– “While/Although the rise of industrialization led to
the expansion of global trade relations, the conditions
of working class people deteriorated because
__________, _________, and _____________.
