Thesis StatementA thesis statement is a sentence that expresses the writer’s position/opinion on a particular subject. A thesis statement is the controlling idea of a paper. It expresses succinctly the idea that the body of the paper will prove. Other names for the thesis statement are “main idea,” “controlling idea,” and “thesis.” |
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| The thesis statement first appears at the end of the introductory paragraph and it is developed, supported, and explained in the course of the paper by means of examples and evidence. | |
The thesis statement is formatted according to the type of paper. |
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| An analytical paper breaks down an issue or an idea into its component parts, evaluates the issue or idea, and presents this breakdown and evaluation to the audience. | |
| An expository (explanatory) paper explains something to the audience. | |
| An argumentative/persuasive paper makes a claim about a topic and justifies this claim with specific evidence.The claim could be an opinion, a policy proposal, an evaluation, a cause-and-effect statement, or an interpretation.The goal of the argumentative paper is to convince the audience that the claim is true based on the evidence provided. | |
| In a literary analysis, the writer will argue for his/her interpretation of the literature that is asked in the paper prompt or topic. In this, it is a persuasive thesis statement that is arguing for a particular opinion about the literary development of a text.The thesis statement typically includes the author’s name and the title of the literature as well as the comment about the literature. | |
Formatting a Persuasive Thesis StatementThe persuasive thesis statement has three main parts – the topic, the comment, and the call to action. It should also include the targeted audience for the paper. |
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| Topic | Pesticides |
| Comment | endangers lives of farm workers |
| Call to action | government should ban the pesticides(note that the call to action specifies the audience) |
| Ex Thesis: The US Government should ban pesticides because pesticides endanger the lives of farm workers. | |
| Something that has helped students has been to format your thesis like this:
Audience: _____________________ (Jack and Jill)Should [aka Call to Action]: _______________________ (walk up the hill) Because [comment] : ______________________ (because that is where they will get the water)
Thesis: Jack and Jill should walk up the hill because that is where they will get the water.
Figure out your audience and what you want them to do/think about your topic and why the audience should do/think what you want them to. The order of the three parts does not matter, but you must have all three parts for a persuasive thesis statement |
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Formatting the Literary Analysis ThesisAn analytical writing prompt asks the writer to prove an abstract idea by using concrete evidence from a literary text. There are three parts to this thesis |
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| Subject | The literature that is being analyzed |
| Comment | The writer’s opinion on the subject – how the writer thinks the author used the literary devices |
| Concrete element | Usually the abstract portion, known as literary devices such as theme, tone, characterization, etc. that is used to prove the writer’s opinion |
| Ex Prompt: In a well written essay, explain how the author uses figurative language and imagery to characterize Jay Gatsby.
Ex Thesis: In The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the protagonist Jay Gatsby is portrayed as the naïve by grasping character through Fitzgerald’s use of color symbolism and weather motifs. |
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| Handouts and Websites for the Thesis Creation | |
| THESIS STATEMENT by Livaudais | creating_effective_thesis_statements_and_topic_sentences |
| Thesis Statement | Thesis chart
Thesis chart for OCS Students |
| literarythesis
Literary Analysis Thesis |
Video on Thesis Statements |
| Purdue OWL on Thesis Statements | U. of Illinois Writing |
Topic Sentences
ResearchIn order to come up with topic sentences, students must do preliminary research to find argument/reasons that their targeted audiences should do their intended calls to action. Those reasons will then become topic sentences and body paragraphs in the persuasive paper. |
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| Brainstorm for Subtopics | OCS Subtopics for Research Paper |
Topic SentencesOnce you have defined your research paper with an effective thesis statement and written an introduction, the simplest way to develop the paper is by using a series of topic sentences–an additive sequence in which each paragraph introduces a new argumentative point in support of the thesis |
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| A. Each body paragraph must begin with a topic sentence that is the main idea sentence of that paragraph. | B. In a persuasive paper, each topic sentence will be persuasive and also contain a topic, comment, and call to action |
| C. Each topic sentence will be one of the specific reasons why your audience should think/do what you want them to think/do in the thesis. | D. To add clarity and to show relation to the thesis, each topic sentence should use the same or synonymous language/words as the thesis statement (anaphora). |
| Thesis: Because pesticides endanger the lives of farm workers, the government should ban their use.Topic Sentence: The government should ban the use of pesticides such as ChloroKill since studies show high rates of cancer with the use of similar pesticides.Topic Sentence: High infant mortality rates among farm workers have been linked to the use of pesticides which is another reason that these pesticides should be banned. | |
| Thesis: The important link between Civil Rights era music and today’s conception of the R & B genre has been overlooked in today’s music history courses.
Topic Sentence: The turmoil of the Civil Rights era led popular musical artists and lyricists to incorporate explosive and highly personal lyrics into their songs, very much like the explicit lyrics we’ve come to expect from Eminem and Kid Rock today. |
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Websites and Handouts for Topic Sentences: |
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| Topic Sentences | topic-sentences-review |
| Thesis and Topic Sentences | Topic Sentences for OCS |
| Purdue OWL for Topic Sentences | Video on topic sentences |
| Structure of the Research Paper | |
Transitions in Topic SentencesTransitions emphasize the relationships between ideas, so they help readers follow your train of thought or see connections that they might otherwise miss or misunderstand. Transition words should be used in topic sentences, throughout body paragraphs, and in concluding sentences |
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| Topic Sentences with transitions | Transition Words |
| Website on Topic Sentences and Transitions
– with video and examples |
Topic Sentence with Transition formula
– from Delmar College |
Hospitals should have more translators because there are a lot of patients that do not speak English and need medical attention.
you are so right, i even go in the hospital and get confused at times
topic sentence
while global warming can have natural causes, humans have played a very large role because of the burning of fossil fuels and should cut back their usage
You should capitalize “while” and also you forgot the period. I also disagree we should burn more fossil fuels.
The burning of fossil fuels is what is causing global warming. Burning more of them would only further promote the problem. Other sources of energy should be explored, like solar or ethanol.
I agree with you Cameron, but like Markeece said capitalize “while” and add the period.
This is a thesis, not a topic sentence. Also, capitalize and use a period.
Yor commence re grately apreshiated
The government should remove the death penalty because there are too many cases when innocent people have died.
so true, but i would rather get the death penalty then stay in jail for the rest of my life
I disagree, the death penalty is a fine punishment if handled correctly.
Public school system should provide bilingual ESL teachers to help ESL students stay in school.
The government should repeal and replace Obamacare with alternative plan.
You do not have your because, why should the government repeal and replace Obamacare with an alternative plan?
You do not provide a reason, as Jeremey said. Do you happen to have one that isn’t completely biased.
Schools should do drug testing of all students because we are in a drug free zone
Do not use we. Which schools? Public schools? K-12? Colleges?
Humans should combat the global effects of deforestation because if it doesn’t stop, there will be major climatic changes that could affect the way humans live.
the government should create more dropout prevention to help students stay in school.
the public school system should create more dropout prevention programs to help Hispanics students stay in school.
Good. Now your subtopics would be the types of programs and prove how they would help stay in school. try to find 4 programs.
The government should fund homes for Autistic Adults who have no where to go and no one to take care of them.
the sports committee should not convict athletes if or not they used performance enhancing drugs and loose their metals, records, and titles.
The federal government should allow illegal immigrants to be eligible for financial aid when they can legally go to college because they grew up as Americans and they are students looking for a better future with talent that shouldn’t be wasted.
Johnston County Schools should allow students to listen to music when taking tests because music enhances intelligence.
Johnston county schools should allow students to listen to music when taking tests because it enhances intelligence
I think this may be too narrow. Try this:
School boards should allow students to use music while studying and test-taking because music enhances learning and retention.
The Government should create more programs for Hispanics Students who wants to drop out of School, because Hispanics Students need to graduate to have a better future…..
Say the State government should create more school programs for Hispanic students who want to drop out of school because Hispanic students are an at-risk population.
The U.S. government needs to implement a law that help illegal immigrants who have been brought to the U.S. as children get legal status because this will eventually have a positive impact on the economy.
Sounds good!
Hollywood studios should not remake blockbuster movies because these remakes are low quality wastes of money.
Be more tactful. Remember your audience.
Thesis: Nuclear power plants should not continue to be used by the global society because they do more harm than good.
Topic Sentences: I. Nuclear reactors use some of the earth’s resources that are already being steadily depleted.
II. A portion of the resources that are used to power the nuclear reactors can cause dangerous explosions.
III. The explosions that are caused by a portion of the resources used for nuclear reactors pose health risks to humans and animals, both marine and terrestrial.
IV. With the knowledge that nuclear explosions pose health risks to humans, nuclear power plants are often targets for terrorists.
athletes that are convicted of using performance enhancing drugs should keep past medals because they don’t have proof if they were on the drug when they won that medal.
The death penalty should be federally allowed.
Why? You are missing your comment. Also, not allowed, but legalized.
The death penalty should be federally legalized in the US. To keep murders, rapists etc away from innocent people. And to prevent people from committing crimes in the first place.
Now make it one sentence.
1 what is used to kill the animals in shelters ,and is it painful
2 why do shelters take in animals if shelters are going kill them and not give them a chance
you saved this to the wrong post!
both of these are informative rather than persuasive. what can you argue – pro/con?
Thesis statement:
Psychopathology is a result of abusive parenting skills.
This is a statement of fact not persuasion. Follow the format.
Owners should learn about rules and regulations about shelters and other oragnizatione like ASPCA before turning his or her animal in.
Animal owners. Otherwise, good!
Government should consider legalizing physician assisted suicide because life threaten illness can sometimes be painful and can cause early death with agonizing pain it should be a choice.
Make sure that your paper and Destiny’s paper are not the same. Use different sources.
The government should legalize physician assisted suicides beacause assisted suicide should be an option for terminally ill patients.
Which govt? Federal or state??
Sports officials should test for Performance Enhancing Drugs more frequently because it affects the sports negatively.
Looks good.
The Navy should change their enlistment requirements for womens entry into the Navy because the constitutuion calls for equality for both genderes.
women’s. Constitution. genders. fix these and it looks good.
If the media was less focused on an “ideal” body type, there would be fewer eating disorders in young girls, and a more positive body image.
thesis statement:
north carolina state school board should demand safety features for school busses beacuse children get injured or die each year from bus related accidents.
Capitalize our sentences; otherwise, good.
Thesis statement: Civillians have every right under the Second Amendment to purchase assault weapons as long as it is used legally and responsibly.
The federal government should create a law that states domestic animals have the same rights to live as humans to eliminate the cruelty and unlawful deaths of animals.
To become a firefighter you must be 18, be physically fit, and have a high school diploma.
To become an Auto Mechanic you must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma and have on the job training.
Pharmaceutical labs should not test products on animals because animals don’t have the ability to agree to be tested on.
To become an athletic trainer you must have a college degree, have athletic experience and be good with people.
To become a server in a restaurant you must have training, work long hours, have a positive attitude, and be good at talking to people.
To become a auto mechanic you must have a high school diploma, earn a certificate, and enroll in a vocational education program.
Congress should override the electoral process because popular vote should determine the president.
Schools systems should start high school at a later hour for safety and academic reasons.
The government should require a 2-4 year minimum of military/civil service.
the united states should always contribute to international aid
The North Carolina High School Athletics Association shout monitor drug use in HS athletes by peiodically testing them because there are many health risks and it ruins the game for other players.
Hunting benefits a person in a hurting economy rather than hurting them.
People who oppose hunting should understand that hunting benefits the hunter and his/her family, and should be approved rather than resented.
To become a daycare worker you must have a high school diploma, you also need patience and kindness and cleaning and learning and TRY not to go CRAZY on the kids.
To become an auto Mechanic you most have a high school diploma training and you have to be good with your hands.
The North Carolina School bus Board should install both on and off board cameras on all school buses in the state, because to many children are getting injured on buses and theres no way to prove fault or to document what exactly happened.
N.C. State Senetors should make getting a concealed weapons permit more strict so the crime rates will go down and guns wont be banned.
Wetland conservation groups should help better protect because wetlands can help the economy.
The FDA should investigate pharmaceutical companies because they’re over charging for cancer medications.
Good thesis.
Students and Teachers should support bullying programs, because it can decrease the violence and the loss of student life.
The best type of hay is one with alot of protein and energy, which produces more milk in dairy cows and more beef in beef cows.
more meat in beef cows is better.
what is this?
Will drilling for methane hydrate increase the chance of “global warming” getting worse?
Mental health professionals should believe OCD is caused by biological and genetic disorders because certain parts of the brain have abnormal activity and fluctuations during compulsions.
Coca Cola uses evil business strategies and cruel methods to maximise their profit. we as consumers should boycott their products.
Thesis Statement:
The US federal government should continue funding 3D-Bioprinting because its various medical benefits greatly outweighs any ethical debates that it faces in today’s society.