This document discusses the key elements and formats of a good thesis statement. It explains that a thesis statement should provide a single, focused controlling idea or position on a topic. It should set limits on the topic's scope and not merely state the topic or pose a question. The document outlines three common formats for thesis statements: (1) a statement of intent that conveys the writer's purpose, (2) a statement of position that expresses the writer's belief, and (3) a pro-con statement that presents both sides of an issue. Examples are provided to illustrate each type of thesis statement format.

1. Thesis
Statement

2. Thesis Statement
main idea of your essay

3. Thesis Statement
-one sentence that
provides the
controlling idea

4. Thesis Statement
- umbrella that
covers all the
main points
of your essay

5. Functions and Qualities of a
Thesis Statement
•Thesis Statements
predicts, controls, and
obligates

6. Functions and Qualities of a
Thesis Statement
•The thesis statement is an
indicator of position or
belief about a particular
idea

7. Characteristics of
a good Thesis
Statement

8. Characteristics of a Good
Thesis Statement
Thesis Statement should provide a
single line of focus
Thesis Statement must set limits on
the topic
Thesis Statement is not the topic or
the title or question

9. Poor Example:
Although viruses can be considered the
worst nightmare that can happen to a
computer system, the are actually
system-related errors that mimic the
effects of viruses, but may not be
technically viruses, and what we need is
a set of controlling tactics that will not
just prevent one viral attack but will also
be advantageous for use by others.

10. Better:
Computer viruses can sabotage an
entire computer system due to three
technique mechanisms: self-
replication, self-abstraction, and
encryption.
Thesis Statement should provide a
single line of focus

11. Poor Example:
The tsunami that hit Indonesia in
December 2004 has exposed for the
entire world to see how unprepared and
ill-equipped the government of Indonesia
was a result of the corruption that affects
so many of the poor countries in the
world

12. Better:
Because of the immeasurable
damage, tsunamis can cause, a
warming system that is cost-
effective, efficient, and reliable must
be established.
Thesis Statement must set limits on the
topic

13. Poor Example:
The threat of Agroterrorism or how
real is the threat of Agricultural
Terrorism?

14. Better:
Although the spread of agriculture-
related diseases such as foot and mouth
disease and avian influenza is
alarming, the long-term consequences
of an outbreak of these diseases can be
lessened through increased monitoring
by governments of vulnerable countries.
Thesis Statement is not the topic or the
title or question.

15. Let us examine the following thesis
statements.
a. An analysis of the college admission
process reveals one challenge facing
counsellors: accepting students with high
test scores or students with strong
extracurricular backgrounds.

16. b. Hunger persists in Africa for a very long
time.
Let us examine the following thesis
statements.

17. c. High school graduates should be
required to take a year off to pursue
community service projects before
entering college in order to increase their
maturity and global awareness.
Let us examine the following thesis
statements.

18. d. The concept of global warming should
not receive the amount of attention that
is currently focused on this issue.
Let us examine the following thesis
statements.

19. e. Cyber-bullying should be a
criminal, punishable offense in the
Philippines in order to protect the
nation’s children and teenagers.
Let us examine the following thesis
statements.

20. f. This essay will consider the advantages
and disadvantages of certain restrictions
on free speech.
Let us examine the following thesis
statements.

21. FORMAT OF A
THESIS
STATEMENT

22. FORMATS OF A THESIS STATEMENT
1. Thesis Statement as a statement of Intent
2. Thesis Statement as a statement of
position
3. Thesis Statement as a Pro-Con Statement

23. 1. Thesis Statement as a statement of
Intent
-expresses the
intention of the
writer

24. • What do you intend to show in your
paper?
• What does your paper seek to
accomplish?
• What is the purpose of your paper?
1. Thesis Statement as a statement of
Intent

25. Examples:
• In this essay, I intend to prove that yoga is the
best possible way to cure heart problems
• This essay seeks to study more closely the
effects of television violence on viewers
• This essay aims to show that exercising and
dieting produce the most effective results in
the treatment of diabetes.

26. 2. Thesis Statement as a statement of
position
• What do you believe in?
• What do you feel about the
topic?

27. Examples:
• Having the right internet security
software is important because it
helps prevent hacking.
• The computer is efficient in
teaching English because it is
effective dependable and
entertaining.

28. 3. Thesis Statement as a
Pro-Con Statement
What are the two sides of
the issue?

29. Example:
• Although the all-protein and the
all-carbohydrate diets may help
adults shed of unwanted fat, they
may also promote malfunction of
the heart and the nervous
system, anaphylactic shock
(allergy to protein), and diabetes.

30. Example:
• Although Western Medicine is the
commonly accepted method of treating
ailments, acupuncture should still be
administered because it is proven to be
effective in aiding the sick despite the
fact that at times, it needs to be
combined with other therapies to be
effective.

31. FORMATS OF A THESIS STATEMENT
1. Thesis Statement as a statement of Intent
2. Thesis Statement as a statement of
position
3. Thesis Statement as a Pro-Con Statement

32. References:
Plata, S. et.al. (2006). Research: Process
and Product Workbook. Laguna:
Trailblazer Publications.
Plata, M., Mirador, J.F., Dayag, D. T. , and
Chua, H. (2002). Thinking and Writing
Research: A Complete Guide To
Independent Research Paper Writing.
Manila: De La Salle University Press Inc.