This lesson defines thesis statements and teaches students how to write them. It explains that a thesis is the central idea or argument of an essay and combines the topic, opinion, and reasons. Students learn to fill out a template identifying the topic, their opinion on it, and providing at least three supporting reasons. They then practice writing thesis statements for several prompts. The homework assigns writing a thesis statement analyzing the tone and mood of "The Raven."

1. 10/21 Warm-Up
• Define Thesis and state it’s importance in
writing.

2. Objectives
• By the end of today’s lesson, you will be
able to …
– Define Thesis Statement as well as state the
purpose, and value of a Thesis Statement.
– Create Thesis Statements in response to
various prompts.

3. Scales for Understanding
1 2 3 4
-I have
no idea
what a
thesis
is.
-I can’t
make a
thesis
stateme
nt.
-I know what a
thesis is.
-I can state the
issue and my
opinion but
have trouble
creating any
reasons or
combining the
topic, opinion,
and reasons to
make a sent..
-I know what a
thesis is and how
important it is.
-I can create a
thesis by
combining the
topic opinion and
reasons.
-I can create 2-3
reasons before
the time limit
ends.
I know what a
thesis is and how
important it is.
-I can create a
thesis by
combining the topic
opinion and
reasons.
-I can create 4
reasons before the
time limit ends.

4. Thesis Statements
• A Thesis Statement is the heart of an
essay and the standard by which many
will judge if an essay is successful or not.
• A Thesis statement is a summary of your
topic, opinion, and arguments used in an
essay.
• A Thesis must be Clear, Obvious, and
Specific.

5. Thesis
Topic Opinion Support

6. How to make a Thesis
• First get a clear phrase defining the topic.
• Second decide your opinion on the topic.
• Third create support for your opinion.
• Then use Mr. G’s super-duper thesis
sheet to fill in the blanks and combine to
create a thesis statement.

7. Mr. G’s Super-Duper Thesis Sheet
Topic + +Opinion Reasons

8. Practice # 1
• Does such a thing as true love exist?
Topic + +Opinion ReasonsTrue Love Does Exist
Popular Theme
I know others
I have experienced

9. Practice # 2
• Can you recover from the loss of a loved
one?
Topic + +Opinion Reasons

10. Now it’s your turn
• Now you’ll practice creating your own
thesis statements.
• Respond to the prompt as you’ve seen the
teacher show examples of.
• Work on your own worksheets.
• Try to create three reasons/pieces of
support for your opinion.
• Complete the work before the bell rings

11. Prompt # 1
• Does going through difficult times make
you a better person?

12. Prompt # 2
• Can expressing your feelings during a
difficult time help you cope?

13. Prompt # 3
• If you lose a loved one, can you
completely recover?

14. Scales for Understanding
1 2 3 4
-I have
no idea
what a
thesis
is.
-I can’t
make a
thesis
stateme
nt.
-I know what a
thesis is.
-I can state the
issue and my
opinion but
have trouble
creating any
reasons or
combining the
topic, opinion,
and reasons to
make a sent..
-I know what a
thesis is and how
important it is.
-I can create a
thesis by
combining the
topic opinion and
reasons.
-I can create 2-3
reasons before
the time limit
ends.
I know what a
thesis is and how
important it is.
-I can create a
thesis by
combining the topic
opinion and
reasons.
-I can create 4
reasons before the
time limit ends.

15. HW (Due Monday 10/24):
Prompt # 4
• What is the tone and mood of “The
Raven”?
– Create a thesis statement on the same
worksheet for this prompt.
– Make certain that the thesis is clear and
direct.
– Make certain that there are at least three solid
reasons in the thesis as well.