I wrote this for my 9th graders to introduce them to writing a thesis statement. It includes a short quiz mid-way through and has them write their own thesis statement for an essay they are already writing.

1. Thesis Statements p.
39
Goal:
I can demonstrate an understanding of the
essential elements of a thesis statement.
I can write a thesis statement.
On Page 40, create a KWL chart about Thesis
statements and complete the “Know” column.

2. What is this short film
about?
Click Me!
By taking the time to slow down and take
notice of the bright colors in the air and joyful
faces of the participants during India’s
“Festival of Colors,” we can better appreciate
the beauty in life and other cultures.

3. What is a thesis
statement?
A sentence near the beginning of an
essay that states your point of view
and gives a summary of the
argument you’ll make in the rest of
your paper.

4. A thesis statement:
 expresses the writer’s position or
interpretation of a particular subject.
 makes a claim that others might dispute.
 is included in the opening paragraph.
 answers the question of the writing
prompt.
 tells the reader what to expect from the
paper.

5. Two ways
to create a thesis:
Thesis then Evidence
Evidence then Thesis

Decide your idea first and find
facts to fit

Find the facts first, then create
a thesis that fits.

Gives you a good focus for
your reading.

It’s harder to know what to
focus on as you’re reading.


BUT… you may be
influenced by your thesis
and miss other good
evidence.
You might have to change
your thesis if you can’t find the
facts!


BUT you have a more
open mind
You collect more evidence
than you need.

6. Elements of the Thesis
TOPIC
EVIDENCE
OPINION

7. Quick Quiz!
On page 38, # your paper 1-5

8. 1. True or False: When I write a thesis statement, I will
include my opinion.
2. True of False: It’s bad if someone disagrees with the
opinion in my thesis statement.
3. Which paragraph of your essay has your thesis
statement?
4. Finish the sentence: A thesis statement is like a road
map because it
_____________________________________.
5. True or False: I have to decided on a thesis statement
before I start writing my essay.
6. True or False: I should never change my thesis
statement once I’ve started writing my essay.
7. Name the three elements of a thesis statement.

9. From Question to Thesis
“Read the passage carefully. In a well-written essay,
explain how the author uses imagery, figurative language
and detail to characterize Scrooge.”
TOPIC
EVIDENCE
OPINION
Scrooge’s personality/character
Imagery, figurative language and
detail
Determined by the essay writer!

10. In A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, the author
uses many different types of figurative language to
characterize Scrooge.”
TOPIC
EVIDENCE
OPINION
Scrooge’s character
“many different types of figurative
language”

11. In A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, the protagonist
Scrooge is portrayed as the archetypal greedy, cold-hearted
character through Dickens’ use of figurative language, such as
similes and metaphors.
TOPIC
EVIDENCE
OPINION
Scrooge’s character
figurative language – similes and
metaphors
Scrooge is greedy and cold-hearted

12. Evaluation of Thesis Statements
Write the following sample thesis statements, and
then identify from the thesis statement the subject
and the writer’s opinion.
Color #1: What is the topic of the student’s essay?
Color #2: What literary elements (the concrete
evidence) will the author use?
Color #3: What is the writer’s claim?
In The Diary of Anne Frank, Goodrich and Hackett
use dialogue and stage directions to reveal a
young heroine who is an ordinary teenager with
extraordinary maturity.

13. Color #1: What is the topic of the student’s essay?
Color #2: What literary elements (the concrete
evidence) will the author use?
Color #3: What is the writer’s claim?
In the excerpt from Harper Lee’s To Kill a
Mockingbird, Atticus’ strong diction and religious
references reveal his belief that his defense of
Tom Robinson is both moral and mandatory.

14. Write your own Thesis:
The prompt:
“Through words and actions, a character can “come to
life” for a reader. In a well-developed, multi-paragraph
essay, discuss how the character of Atticus reveals
meaning in the novel. Support your opinion with specific
evidence from the text.
The topic of you essay
is:_______________________________
What kind of evidence will you use?_______ and
_________
Your opinion: (What meaning in the novel is revealed in
Atticus’s words and actions?)
____________________________

15. REFLECTION
p. 40
•Complete the “I learned” column of your
KWL chart.
•Include at least 3 statements of what you
learned.
•If you have new Questions about thesis
statements, add them to your “Want to know”
column.