The document discusses how to write an effective thesis statement. It explains that a thesis statement should be one sentence that sums up the main argument of the paper. It advises developing a research question from the topic to focus the paper. A strong thesis takes a stand, shows controversy, and expresses a specific main idea. It provides examples of strong and weak thesis statements and explains what makes the strong ones effective.

1. WRITING A THESIS STATEMENT

2. WHAT IS A THESIS STATEMENT? One sentence that sums up the argument of your paper. This will help your reader quickly locate your main idea, and predict what is to come in your paper.

3. WHY DO I NEED A THESIS STATEMENT? To test your ideas by expressing them in one or two sentences To better organize and develop your argument To give your reader a “guide to your argument”

4. CREATING A RESEARCH QUESTION Once you have selected a topic, turn it into a question that you will answer in your paper. Example: Topic: The benefits of using computers in a 4 th grade classroom Research Question: What are the benefits of using computers in a 4 th grade classroom? Thesis: The potential benefits of using computers in a 4 th grade classroom are… OR Using computers in a 4 th grade classroom promises to improve…

5. WHAT IS THE RECIPE FOR A STRONG THESIS STATEMENT? Thesis statement checklist: Your thesis statement should Take some sort of stand on the issue Show that the topic is controversial (readers will be interested to hear your side of the argument) Express ONE main idea Be SPECIFIC

6. LET’S LOOK AT SOME EXAMPLES… Indicate whether each thesis statement is strong or weak. Explain why the strong thesis is effective (which element of our checklist does it emphasize?)

7. There are some negative and positive aspects to the Banana Herb Tea Supplement. Because Banana Herb Tea Supplement promotes rapid weight loss that results in the loss of muscle and lean body mass, it poses a potential danger to customers.

8. Because the Internet is filled with tremendous marketing potential, companies should take advantage of this potential by using Web pages that offer both advertising and customer support. Companies need to take advantage of the marketing potential of the Internet, and Web pages can provide both advertising and customer support.

9. World hunger has many causes and effects. Hunger persists in Glandelinia because jobs are scarce and farming in the infertile soil is rarely profitable.

10. My family is an extended family. While most American families would view marriages between relatives as a threat to the nuclear family structure, some Iranian families, like my own, believe that these marriages help reinforce kinship ties in an extended family.

11. NOW LET’S GIVE IT A GO… In your group, develop a research question and a thesis statement that answers the question. Topics School uniforms Banning cell phones in schools Homework Block Scheduling Standardized testing (PSSAs) as a measure of student achievement

13. WORKS CITED http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/thesis_statement.shtml http://www.universeastext.com/?p=658