thesis statements

1. A Thesis Statement
A thesis statement tells the reader
the topic and the point.

2. A thesis statement has
two parts:
 the topic
 the point

3. The formula is
Topic + Point = thesis
statement

4. For example:
Kenya’s culture +
(topic)
Kenya’s culture is rich and varied.
= Thesis statement
is rich and varied.
(point)

5. another example
Building a model train set + takes
time and patience. = thesis
statement
----- = topic
----- = point

6. one last example:
Too much TV watching + can have
negative effects on young
people.=
Thesis statement
----- = topic
----- = point

7. All good writing should
begin with a thesis
statement.

8. Now, you try it:
Identify the parts of these thesis
statements:

9. 1. All good writing should
begin with a thesis statement.
topic = good writing
point = should begin with a
thesis statement.

10. 2. Boys are better students in
math than girls.
topic = better math students
point =
boys are better in
math

11. 3. Stress can cause illness,
headaches and depression.
topic =
point =
stress
can cause illness,
headaches and
depression

12. A thesis statement is different
from a topic sentence.

13. A topic sentence just tells the
topic.
Ex: The driving age in NC is
16.

14. A thesis statement tells the topic
and the point.
Ex: The driving age in NC at
16 is too low.

15. Remember, a thesis statement
has a topic and a point.

16. Try these: For each, decide if it is
a thesis statement or a topic
sentence.

17. The cafeteria serves lunch each
day.
topic sentence.

18. The lunch served in the cafeteria
is both nutritious and delicious.
thesis statement

19. Barack Obama won the
democratic primary election in
New Hampshire.
topic sentence

20. Of all of the democratic
presidential candidates, Barack
Obama has the greatest chance
of being elected president.
thesis statement

21. Thesis statements clarify and
focus a piece of writing.
topic sentence