Lead sentences and thesis statements

1. Lead sentences (hook) and
thesis statements
Fundamentals in writing
Professor Alexander Benito

2. Techniques for writing an effective lead
an amazing or unusual fact
a description
a quote, proverb, or saying
a question
a bold opinion
a statistic
"A good dog deserves a good bone." - US Proverb
Do dogs get jealous?
Dogs can hear 4 times as far as humans.
Dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) are domesticated
mammals, not natural wild animals. (Taken from
Wikipedia)
In Bogota, the capital of Colombia, there are an
estimated 350,000 street dogs and cats at any one time.
(Taken from https://julianasanimalsanctuary.org)
Dogs must be treated a as member of a family.

3. Writing a Lead Sentence for an Introduction
Read the thesis statement
Use the space provided below to write leads for the thesis statement, using the techniques given:
An amazing or Unusal Fact
_____________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________ The new super stores have something for everyone.
A Quote, Proverb, or Saying
_____________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________ The new super stores have something for everyone.
A Question
_____________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________ The new super stores have something for everyone.
A Statistic
_____________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________ The new super stores have something for everyone.

4. Writing Thesis Statements
A thesis statement is one sentence that establishes the focus of your essay. In an essay for English class, your
thesis should always appear at the end of your introduction and it should be restated (worded in a new way) in
your conclusion.
Example Activity
Topic: You have won the lottery and can choose to travel anywhere in the
world. Write about one place you would like to visit and explain why you’d
like to travel there.
Supports:
1. I would travel to France because I love French food.
2. Paris is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and I would like to see
it.
3. I would like to practice my French and become more fluent.
Thesis Statement: If I won the lottery and could travel anywhere in the
world, I would travel to France because I love French food, I want to see
Paris, and I would like to become more fluent in French.

5. Exercise Directions: Create a thesis statement based on the following information.
Topic 1: Education is important to have.
Supports:
1. It could enable one to get a better paying job.
2. It makes a person a more interesting individual.
3. It makes a person a more informed citizen.
Thesis Statement:
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________

6. Topic 2:
Bowling is a sport for everyone.
Supports:
1. It is not limited to any age group.
2. It can be played at any time.
3. It does not require any expensive equipment.
Thesis Statement:
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________

7. Activity 2
Write a thesis statement for each topic below.
1. Discuss which was the greater discovery: penicillin or electricity?
2. What was the greatest challenge in your life?
3. What are the most important character traits for a good sibling?
4. Explain why everyone should know how to drive.
5. Should motorcycles be outlawed on public streets?
6. What is the life of a typical student like?
7. Should university education be free?
8. Should elementary schools ban cell phones?

8. Extra classwork activity
Choose one statement below and write a five paragraph persuasive
essay.
First brainstorm your ideas through a spider gram. Then write an
outline your essay.
Everyone should know how to drive.
Motorcycles should be outlawed on public streets.
University education should be free.
Elementary schools should ban cell phones.

9. Spidergram example