Writing a thesis statement

1
Writing a thesis statement

• Powerpoint created by Ms. Kutlik
• Information provided by The Writing Center at
  University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• http//www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/

2

• A thesis is a summary of the argument made in the
  rest of the paper.

3
What is a thesis statement

• Tells reader how you will interpret the
  significance of the subject matter
• A road map for your paper what to expect from
  the rest of the paper
• Directly answers the question asked of you
• Makes a claim that others might dispute
• Usually a single sentence in the first paragraph
  that presents your argument

4
When is a thesis statement required?

• If an assignment asks you to
• ANALYZE
• INTERPRET
• COMPARE AND CONTRAST
• DEMONSTRATE CAUSE AND EFFECT
• TAKE A STAND ON AN ISSUE
• Then you need to develop a thesis statement and
  support it persuasively.

5
How do you get a thesis statement?

• Collect evidence
• Look for relationships between known facts
• Consider the significance of those relationships
• With this information you should be able to get a
  basic idea or argument that you can support.

6
How to make your thesis statement strong?

• Do I answer the question?
• Have I taken a position that others may oppose or
  challenge?
• Is my statement specific enough?
• Does my thesis statement pass the So what?
  test?
• Does my essay support my thesis statement
  specifically and without wandering?
• Does my statement pass the how and why test?