What is a thesis statement?
   What is a thesis statement?
   A thesis statement is the main idea of an 
   A thesis statement is the main idea of an 
   essay. 
   essay. 
   It is often a point you want to argue or 
   It is often a point you want to argue or 
   support in an essay.
   support in an essay.
  SO
  SO
   The thesis statement explains to a reader 
   The thesis statement explains to a reader 
   the main idea of the essay, and the writer’s 
   the main idea of the essay, and the writer’s 
   opinion on that idea.
   opinion on that idea.
  A thesis statement is usually one 
  A thesis statement is usually one 
  sentence.
  sentence.
  It is often placed in the introductory 
  It is often placed in the introductory 
  paragraph of an essay.
  paragraph of an essay.
  A thesis statement is a claim that 
  A thesis statement is a claim that 
  could be argued.
  could be argued.
  The essay will contain evidence and 
  The essay will contain evidence and 
  opinions that support the argument.
  opinions that support the argument.
  Thesis statements SHOULD NOT 
   Thesis statements SHOULD NOT 
       have the following:
       have the following:
   first person (I believe, In my opinion, etc.)
   first person (I believe, In my opinion, etc.)
   unclear language (It seems, etc.)
   unclear language (It seems, etc.)
   An attempt at two topics at once (even if 
   An attempt at two topics at once (even if 
   they seem related). Pick one and stick with 
   they seem related). Pick one and stick with 
   it.
   it.
   just stating a fact - A thesis is something 
   just stating a fact - A thesis is something 
   you plan to make an argument about.  
   you plan to make an argument about.  
  A thesis statement SHOULD:
  A thesis statement SHOULD:
  contain a topic (main idea of 
  contain a topic (main idea of 
  what you are writing about)
  what you are writing about)
  contain an opinion about the 
  contain an opinion about the 
  topic (what your attitude is 
  topic (what your attitude is 
  toward the topic)
  toward the topic)
   A thesis statement should not be 
   A thesis statement should not be 
         too broad.
         too broad.
  Too Broad
  Too Broad
  The world is a magnificent place to live.
  The world is a magnificent place to live.
  Better
  Better
  Good teachers make Hamden High a 
  Good teachers make Hamden High a 
   fantastic school. 
   fantastic school.