The document provides instruction on what constitutes a strong thesis statement. It defines a thesis statement as making an argument that can be supported with evidence. A good thesis statement should have 5 key features - it should answer the prompt, state a claim and 3 supporting points, not be a question, not state the obvious purpose of the writing, and usually be at the end of an introduction paragraph. The document provides examples of strong and weak thesis statements and encourages practicing writing thesis statements in response to sample prompts.

1. WHAT IS A THESIS
STATEMENT?

2. Today I will learn how to write a
thesis statement so that I can
clearly communicate my argument
and support it with evidence.
-LEARNING TARGET-

3. A thesis statement is ONE sentence that tells
claim/argument of a piece of writing
A thesis statement is based on research of a
topic
THESIS = YOUR CLAIM/ARGUMENT
DEFINITION: THESIS STATEMENT

4. A topic sentence is a DESCRIPTION of what
the piece of writing will discuss or inform
the reader of
VS.
A thesis statement is a CLAIM/ARGUMENT
that you will SUPPORT/PROVE in a writing
piece
TOPIC SENTENCE VS. THESIS STATEMENT

5. Which sentence is the thesis statement?
It’s Time to Junk Junk Food!
Tired, crabby, or unfocused in class? It could be the
food you are eating. The lack of healthy and tasty school
lunch selections has recently become a problem in
almost every elementary, middle and high school across
the nation. There are many good reasons to remove junk
food from school lunch menus, and creating a healthier
student body is number one. Although many types of junk
food are pleasing to one’s appetite, junk foods should be
taken out of school lunch menus because they harm the
development of kids’ bodies, impact the mind in negative
ways, and are expensive for schools to buy.
Can you identify it?
Sample PROMPT: Should junk food be taken out of schools?

6. It’s Time to Junk Junk Food!
Tired, crabby, or unfocused in class? It could be the
food you are eating. The lack of healthy and tasty school
lunch selections has recently become a problem in almost
every elementary, middle and high school across the
nation. There are many good reasons to remove junk food
from school lunch menus, and creating a healthier
student body is number one. Although many types of junk
food are pleasing to one’s appetite, junk foods should be
taken out of school lunch menus because they harm the
development of kids’ bodies, impact the mind in negative
ways, and are expensive for schools to buy.
Can you Identify it?
Sample Prompt: Should junk food be taken out of schools?

7. Although many types of junk food are pleasing to
one’s appetite, junk foods should be taken out of
school lunch menus because they harm the
development of kids’ bodies, impact the mind in
negative ways, and are expensive for schools to buy.
With your partner, talk about why this sentence
is the thesis statement. Come up with at least
2 reasons.
Think about: A good thesis statement… does what?
..TALK ABOUT IT..

8. *Thesis should address prompt by using key
words from the prompt and listing supporting
points
Prompt: What caused the United States to enter into
World War I?
POOR: There were many causes for the United
States to enter into World War I.
KEY FEATURE #1: ANSWERS
PROMPT COMPLETELY
• BETTER: Though there were many causes for the United
States to enter into World War I, the most influential were
allied propaganda, Woodrow Wilson's goals as president,
and aggressive German naval policy.

9. *Thesis should state claim + 3 key reasons
POOR: There were many causes for U.S. entry into
World War I.
*Too broad, no evidence/reasons of what will
be proven
KEY FEATURE #2: STATES THE CLAIM AND
WHAT YOU WILL PROVE
•BETTER: Though there were many causes for U.S. entry into
World War I, the most influential (CLAIM) were allied
propaganda, Woodrow Wilson's idealism and aggressive
German naval policy. (3 REASONS)

10. KEY FEATURE #2: Main idea + What
you’re going prove
Geography played a role in the lives
of ancient people.
This would not be considered a good thesis
statement because it is only expressing a fact. It
doesn’t give the writer’s opinion or attitude about
how geography influenced ancient people’s lives.
STRONG OR WEAK THESIS?
*Should express an opinion or attitude about the topic
(this is what makes it an argument)
How did geography influence the lives of ancient
people?

11. Geography positively influenced
the lives of ancient people through
the use of rivers, access to natural
resources, and having fertile
farmland.
WHY IS THIS A
BETTER THESIS?

12. *A thesis is asserting an opinion or claim,
so it should not be a question.
KEY FEATURE #3: THESIS IS ONE
SENTENCE, NEVER A QUESTION
Why is writing the best subject?
Writing is a very challenging subject, yet rewarding
because one can express himself on paper to convince
others, it allows one to be creative, and it helps
communities document different happenings in the
world.
THIS IS A QUESTION, NOT A
STATEMENT.
NOW, THAT IS A THESIS
STATEMENT!!

13. You should avoid using phrases like,
“I’m going to write about…” or “This essay
will discuss…” in your thesis statement.
This is POOR writing!!!
Also do not use first person language – NO
“me” “my” “my opinion”
“I” “I think” “I believe”
KEY FEATURE #4: A THESIS DOES NOT
STATE THE OBVIOUS

14. KEY FEATURE #4: DOES NOT STATE THE
OBVIOUS
In this essay, I’m going to talk about
why students shouldn’t have to wear
uniforms.
A dress code should not be mandatory at school
because requiring students to wear uniforms
can inhibit student expression, smother
creativity, and deter students from enjoying
school.
Again,
3 key
points!

15.  Your reader likes to know what your writing is going to be about
early on, so it should typically be the last sentence of your
introduction paragraph – if you are writing multiple paragraphs.
It’s Time to Junk Junk Food!
Tired, crabby, or unfocused in class? It could be the food you are
eating. The lack of healthy and tasty school lunch selections has
recently become a problem in almost every elementary, middle
and high school across the nation. There are many good reasons
to remove junk food from school lunch menus, and creating a
healthier student body is number one. Although many types of
junk food are pleasing to one’s appetite, junk foods should be
taken out of school lunch menus because they harm the
development of kids’ bodies, impact the mind in negative ways,
and are expensive for schools to buy.
KEY FEATURE #5: USUALLY AT THE END
OF INTRO PARAGRAPH

16. PROMPT: Should junk foods be taken out of
schools?
Although many types of junk food are
pleasing to one’s appetite, junk foods should
be taken out of school lunch menus because
they harm the development of kids’ bodies,
impact the mind in negative ways, and are
expensive for schools to buy.
Does it meet the 5 key features?
KEY FEATURES OF A THESIS

17. BASIC THESIS STATEMENT
(Answer the prompt here with your viewpoint)
because (reason/key idea #1), (reason/key
idea #2), and (reason/key idea #3).
Make sure it:
1) Answers the prompt
2) Includes content knowledge (reasons)
3) Organizes your writing
PROPER SOCIAL STUDIES THESIS
FORMAT

18. ADVANCED THESIS STATEMENT
Although (insert opposing view here), (answer
the prompt here with your viewpoint) because
(reason/key idea #1), (reason/key idea #2),
and (reason/key idea #3).
Make sure it:
1) Answers the prompt
2) Includes content knowledge (reasons)
3) Organizes your writing
4) Acknowledges the opposing viewpoint
PROPER SOCIAL STUDIES THESIS
FORMAT

19. Although many types of junk food are
pleasing to one’s appetite, junk foods should
be taken out of school lunch menus because
they harm the development of kids’ bodies,
impact the mind in negative ways, and are
expensive for schools to buy.
Basic or advanced thesis?
KEY FEATURES OF A THESIS

20. Choose one of the Social Studies thesis
“formulas” to write a practice thesis
statement to the following prompt:
Which pharaoh was the most effective as
a leader in Ancient Egypt and why?
YOU TRY IT!

21. FOR ADVANCED THESIS…
Use your 3 colors (your
choice) to color code your
thesis… If you can do it
easily, you have a strong
thesis!
A. Write your thesis on a
piece of notebook paper.
B. Underline your thesis to
show the 3 parts
C. Create a key that shows:
1st Color: underline the
opposing viewpoint
2nd Color: underline your
claim (argument)
3rd Color: underline your
3 points (key reasons)
YOU TRY IT!
FOR BASIC THESIS…
Use your 2 colors (your choice)
to color code your thesis… If you
can do it easily, you have a strong
thesis!
A. Write your thesis on a piece of
notebook paper.
B. Underline your thesis to show
the 3 parts
C. Create a key that shows:
1st Color: underline your claim
(argument)
2nd Color: underline your 3
points (key reasons)

22. Swap with your table partner
On your partner’s paper:
1. Write your name at the bottom
2. Give them a grade:
4 = All 2-3 parts of formula
3 = Missing 1 part
2 = Missing 2 parts
1 = Did not write a thesis
YOU TRY IT!

23. You can ALWAYS go back and edit your thesis
as you are writing. In fact, you SHOULD edit
your thesis as you are writing. The first thesis
statement you write probably will not be your
final. Make sure that your final thesis matches
the rest of your paper.
…Editing…