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Thesis Statements
A thesis statement is a road map for the paper; in other words, it tells the reader what to
expect from the rest of the paper. It directly answers the question asked of you. A thesis may be
an interpretation of a question or subject, not the subject itself. The subject, or topic, of an essay
might be World War II or Animal Farm; a thesis must then offer a way to understand the war or
the novel. Also, a thesis statement makes a claim that others might dispute as in a persuasive
essay. Lastly, it is usually a single sentence somewhere in your first paragraph that presents
your argument to the reader. The rest of the paper, the body of the essay, gathers and organizes
evidence that will persuade the reader of the logic of your interpretation.
Below are some examples of ways to write thesis statements. (These can also be used
for a topic sentence for a paragraph.) Write down the examples we create as a class and then
construct your own using your ideas for your paper.
A. The List Statement - A common method for writing a topic sentence is to list the
categories that you will address in your paper. There are several types of lists you can
use.
1. A list of words
2. A list of phrases
3. A list of dependent clauses
4. A list of independent clauses
Do not mix word, phrases and clauses. If you start with a phrase, all parts of the list
should be phrases. We call this keeping your list parallel. Think of similar endings when
you make your list like ing, and ed.
Example:
Your sentence using this format:
B. And, But, and Or Statements - This method also creates a _____________
sentence. With coordinating conjunctions---and, but, or, nor, so, and yet. Remember
to use a comma before the conjunction.
Example:
Your sentence using this format:
C. Occasion/Position - An occasion is the first part of the topic sentence; it
introduces your reason for writing. The occasion is the dependent clause in the
complex sentence. The position is the second part of the topic sentence; it states what
you plan to prove or explain in your paragraph. The position is the independent clause
in the complex sentence. An Occasion/Position statement begins with one of the
following:
After
As soon as
Even though
So that
Whenever
Although
Because
If
Though
Where
As
Before
In order that
Unless
Wherever
As if
Even
In order to
Until
Whether
As long as
Even if
Since
When
While
Example:
Your sentence using this format:
D. Power Statements- Power statements can be short or long; in fact, they can be any
grammatical structure that you need or want. A power sentence contains a number word
like: A couple of
a number of
numerous
some
various
A few
many
plenty of
several
a myriad
or actual numbers like two, three, or four
Example:
Your sentence using this format:
E. Three Ws- Avoiding “there are” is important because those are usually filler words.
The phrases there are, these are, and here are have become overused. Use the
following technique to keep from using these phrases.
1. Define Who, What, Where, or When.
a. Who – Han, Luke, and Leia
b. What - battles, sabotage, and political actions
c. Where – On Tattooine, the Death Star, and Naboo
2. Use the actual words, not indefinite pronouns.
a. Han, Luke and Leia led the battle against the Empire. Instead of, There
were many people who led the battle against the Empire.
b. The war with the Empire was fought through battles, sabotage, and
political action. Instead of The battle with the Empire was fought many
c.
different ways.
The ongoing battles were fought on Tattooine, the Death Star, and
Naboo. Instead of, There were many battles fought.
3. Or use the formula:
Where or When + What’s Happening
Example:
Your sentence using this format:
F. However Statements - However is one of several conjunctive adverbs that can
help organize your thoughts into a thesis statement. Use however in the middle of the
sentence. Place a semicolon before the word however and a comma after the word.
This creates a _____________ sentence. The first part will be occasion (reason for
writing) and the second part will be the position (what you plan to prove or explain.)
Other conjunctive adverbs that can be used in this way include the following:
accordingly
as a result
earlier
further
in any case
instead
moreover
otherwise
subsequently
Example:
afterward
also
at last
at the same time
eventually
finally
furthermore
hence
incidentally
indeed
in the meantime
later
namely
nevertheless
perhaps
similarly
then
therefore
anyhow
certainly
for example
however
in fact
likewise
next
so
thus
anyway
consequently
for instance
in addition
in short
meanwhile
now
still
on the contrary
Your sentence using this format:
G. A Few Good Prepositions - The following is a list of prepositions. Once you have
learned to write Occasion/Position and However Statements, try this list.
aboard
because of
during
near
till
about
before
for
of
to
above
behind
from
off
toward
according to
below
in
on
under
across
beneath
in addition to
onto
underneath
after
beside
in back of
out
until
against
besides
in case of
out of
up
along
between
in front of
outside
up to
along with
beyond
in regard to
over
upon
along side
but
in spite of
past
with
among
by
inside
round
within
around
despite
instead of
since
through
as for
down
into
throughout
without
away from
due to
like
with the exception of
Example:
Your sentence using this format:
H. To, plus a verb - Try using an infinitive to start your paper. An infinitive is the main
verb preceded by the word to. Some examples of infinitives are to succeed, to
accomplish, to finish, to win, and to teach. Thesis statements with infinitives are clear
and direct.
Example:
Your sentence using this format:
I. Semicolon Topic Sentence - This kind of sentence is two complete sentences
separated by and semicolon (;). This is another way to write a compound sentence.
Example:
Your sentence using this format:
J. Two nouns and Two Commas - Setting off a noun or noun phrase with commas is
called an appositive. An appositive does not have a verb; it is simply a noun followed
by a description that tells more about the noun.
Ex. Darth Vader, Luke’s real father, plots to capture him in The Empire Strikes
Back.
Example:
Your sentence using this format:
K. Get Their Attention - A declarative statement uses a strong verb. This type of
statement is powerful and memorable for the reader.
Ex. Clay’s gas station offers the best service.
Children love the new breakfast cereal.
Example:
Your sentence using this format:
Which thesis statement do you plan to use for your paper? Explain
which example you prefer and why? What type of sentence is it? Use
this link to find the four types:
http://www.sinclair.edu/centers/tlc/pub/handouts_worksheets/english/sentences_
four_types.pdf