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Thesis Statements in Essays

THESIS STATEMENT
TOPIC SENTENCES
CONCLUDING SENTENCES
Essay Outline/Structure

(with thesis statement)

Each evidence paragraph


MUST consist:

1 Topic sentence followed by


- Supporting idea 1 (also known as Body Paragraphs)
- Supporting idea 2
- Supporting idea 3
And 1 concluding sentence

(Rephrase thesis statement, summarise


main idead, state opinions / suggestions)
Thesis Statements
Almost all of useven if we dont do it consciously
look early in an essay for a one- or two-sentence
condensation of the argument or analysis that is to
follow. We refer to that condensation as a THESIS
STATEMENT.
To test your ideas by distilling them into a sentence or
two
To better organize and develop your argument
To provide your reader with a guide to your
argument
1. Brainstorm the topic
Lets say that your class focuses upon the problems posed by changes in the
dietary habits of Malaysians. You find that you are interested in the amount
of sugar Malaysians consume.
You start out with a thesis statement like this:
Sugar consumption
This fragment isnt a thesis statement. Instead, it simply indicates a general
subject. Furthermore, your reader doesnt know what you want to say about
sugar consumption.

2. Narrow the topic


Your readings about the topic, however, have led you to the conclusion that
elementary school children are consuming far more sugar than is healthy.
You change your thesis to look like this:
Reducing sugar consumption by primary school children.

Steps to a Strong Thesis Statement


3. Take a position on the topic.
After reflecting on the topic a little while longer, you decide that
what you really want to say about this topic is that something
should be done to reduce the amount of sugar these children
consume.
You revise your thesis statement to look like this:
More attention should be paid to the food and drinks
choices available to primary school children.
This statement asserts your position, but the terms more
attention and food and beverage choices are vague.

4. Use specific language.


You decide to explain what you mean about food and beverage
choices, so you write:
Experts estimate that half of primary school
children consume nine times the recommended daily
allowance of sugar.
5. Make an assertion based on clearly stated support.
You finally revise your thesis statement one more time to
look like this:

Because half of all Malaysian primary school children


consume nine times the recommended daily allowance
of sugar, schools should be required to replace the
beverages in school canteens with healthy alternatives.
Try it! Locate the thesis statement.
Gender issues have been increasing in importance through the centuries. In almost every
sphere of human activity, there has been a movement towards greater equality between men and
women. Although I agree that universities should open their doors to all students alike, in my view,
they need not set a fixed limit on the number of men and women they accept in each subject. The
bases for my views are psychological and personal.
Psychologically-speaking, men and women are simply different, though they have the
same potential for greatness. For example, women tend to be more intuitive, sensitive to others and
caring. This means they may feel drawn, on the basis of their personalities, to certain kinds of
professions such as teaching, nursing, or psychology, even if all fields are open to them. In such a
context, it is best for universities to choose the best applicants, regardless of gender.
Personally, students need to discover their true calling. This is an individual matter and is
not influenced by the universities reserving seats for men or women. For example, if the majority of
women shy away from math or engineering, perhaps it has to do with their upbringing, which has
influenced their interests. The universities will not be able to reverse this trend, though they should
always look out for the most qualified candidates.
In conclusion, equality cannot be forced upon people not in the area of education,
employment or family life. Equality is about having choices and those who prove themselves capable
will qualify for university, regardless of gender. It is only right that universities reflect and respect
these free and natural choices being exercised by their students.
Try it! Locate the thesis statement.
Gender issues have been increasing in importance through the centuries. In almost every
sphere of human activity, there has been a movement towards greater equality between men and
women. Although I agree that universities should open their doors to all students alike, in my view,
they need not set a fixed limit on the number of men and women they accept in each subject. The
bases for my views are psychological and personal.
Psychologically-speaking, men and women are simply different, though they have the
same potential for greatness. For example, women tend to be more intuitive, sensitive to others and
caring. This means they may feel drawn, on the basis of their personalities, to certain kinds of
professions such as teaching, nursing, or psychology, even if all fields are open to them. In such a
context, it is best for universities to choose the best applicants, regardless of gender.
Personally, students need to discover their true calling. This is an individual matter and is
not influenced by the universities reserving seats for men or women. For example, if the majority of
women shy away from math or engineering, perhaps it has to do with their upbringing, which has
influenced their interests. The universities will not be able to reverse this trend, though they should
always look out for the most qualified candidates.
In conclusion, equality cannot be forced upon people not in the area of education,
employment or family life. Equality is about having choices and those who prove themselves capable
will qualify for university, regardless of gender. It is only right that universities reflect and respect
these free and natural choices being exercised by their students.
Where is the thesis statement?
Topic: William Faulkner: The Dying Rose of Emily

In A Rose for Emily, William Faulkners use of imagery


sets a tone for the general theme of the story, death.
A rose to most is seen as an object of beauty, with
such a sweet smell. In this story, we see Emily much
like the rose, an object of beauty and desire that soon
begins to wither and die. Faulkner, through great use
of imagery, paints a vivid of a dying rose, Miss Emily.
Where is the thesis statement?
Topic: Cloning

Imagine lying in a hospital bed about to die of heart failure,


liver failure, or even kidney failure. Now imagine if the only
way to live was to have an exact replica of your heart, liver
or kidney. The only way that this could be possible was to
have an exact clone made of your organ(s) through a
scientic process called cloning. Now imagine that every
piece of meat or animal that you eat was perfectly healthy
for you. Once again the only way possible to do this would
be to genetically clone an animal. Although many people
may believe that cloning is omnipotent or unethical, one
must realize the benecial outcomes that cloning can bring
forth to the human race.
Where is the thesis statement?
Topic: Music and Human

Music is one of the oldest cultures in the history. It has


existed longer than language. The reason we love music is
that music is a global language and is expresses our
emotion instead of words. Music is a part of our life so it is
very important, but these days, as music is studied further,
another reason that we need music in our life emerged.
Researchers started to understand the relation between
music and the brain, and found that music affected
humans body, mind, and personality. In other words,
music has a power to control people.
Where is the thesis statement?
Topic: The Pros of Stress

Most people believe that stress has a negative effect on


their lives. Under severe stress, most cannot function
effectively or at all. Pressured by tight deadlines,
heavy workloads, or competitive situations, they may
suffer from such problems as anxiety, sleeplessness, or
ulcers. Yet stress in not necessarily bad. Contrary to
popular opinion, people can learn to turn stress into a
valuable asset in the classroom and the workplace.
Where is the thesis statement?
Topic: The Benefits of Learning Taekwondo.

Taekwondo is a Korean martial art. It is a way of fighting


and self-defense based on any understanding of both
body and mind. As a college student, I discovered
Taekwondo. Even though I was physically fit and
planned to become a police officer, I thought that
women needed special skills to protect themselves.
Taekwondo teaches these skills and much more. The
person who practices Taekwondo gains discipline,
maturity, and a changed self-concept.
Essay Outline/Structure

(with thesis statement)

Each evidence paragraph


MUST consist:

1 Topic sentence followed by


- Supporting idea 1 (also known as Body Paragraphs)
- Supporting idea 2
- Supporting idea 3
And 1 concluding sentence

(Rephrase thesis statement, summarise


main idead, state opinions / suggestions)
Topic Sentences
A well-organized paragraph supports or develops a
single controlling idea, which is expressed in a
sentence called the topic sentence.
substantiates or supports an essays thesis statement
unifies the content of a paragraph and directs the
order of the sentences
advises the reader of the subject to be discussed and
how the paragraph will discuss it.
Topic Sentences
Topic sentences often act like tiny thesis statements.
This is my claim, or the point I will prove in the following
paragraph. way.
All the sentences that follow this topic sentence must
relate to it in some way.

Do not forget concluding sentences in each paragraph


Try it! Locate the topic sentences &
concluding sentences
Gender issues have been increasing in importance through the centuries. In almost every
sphere of human activity, there has been a movement towards greater equality between men and
women. Although I agree that universities should open their doors to all students alike, in my view,
they need not set a fixed limit on the number of men and women they accept in each subject. The
bases for my views are psychological and personal.
Psychologically-speaking, men and women are simply different, though they have the
same potential for greatness. For example, women tend to be more intuitive, sensitive to others and
caring. This means they may feel drawn, on the basis of their personalities, to certain kinds of
professions such as teaching, nursing, or psychology, even if all fields are open to them. In such a
context, it is best for universities to choose the best applicants, regardless of gender.
Personally, students need to discover their true calling. This is an individual matter and is
not influenced by the universities reserving seats for men or women. For example, if the majority of
women shy away from math or engineering, perhaps it has to do with their upbringing, which has
influenced their interests. The universities will not be able to reverse this trend, though they should
always look out for the most qualified candidates.
In conclusion, equality cannot be forced upon people not in the area of education,
employment or family life. Equality is about having choices and those who prove themselves capable
will qualify for university, regardless of gender. It is only right that universities reflect and respect
these free and natural choices being exercised by their students.
Try it! Locate the topic sentences &
concluding sentences
Gender issues have been increasing in importance through the centuries. In almost every
sphere of human activity, there has been a movement towards greater equality between men and
women. Although I agree that universities should open their doors to all students alike, in my view,
they need not set a fixed limit on the number of men and women they accept in each subject. The
bases for my views are psychological and personal.
Psychologically-speaking, men and women are simply different, though they have the
same potential for greatness. For example, women tend to be more intuitive, sensitive to others and
caring. This means they may feel drawn, on the basis of their personalities, to certain kinds of
professions such as teaching, nursing, or psychology, even if all fields are open to them. In such a
context, it is best for universities to choose the best applicants, regardless of gender.
Personally, students need to discover their true calling. This is an individual matter and
is not influenced by the universities reserving seats for men or women. For example, if the majority
of women shy away from math or engineering, perhaps it has to do with their upbringing, which has
influenced their interests. The universities will not be able to reverse this trend, though they should
always look out for the most qualified candidates.
In conclusion, equality cannot be forced upon people not in the area of education,
employment or family life. Equality is about having choices and those who prove themselves capable
will qualify for university, regardless of gender. It is only right that universities reflect and respect
these free and natural choices being exercised by their students.
What makes a good student (Sect2)
Thesis statement:

1. Time management
- know how to balance between studies and leisure
- punctual
- hand in assignments on time
2. Enthusiastic about learning
- form study group
- willing to share knowledge
- consult lecturers
- good results
3. Health
- active / athletic
- enough sleep
- balanced diet
- physically fit
What makes a good parent (Sect1)
Thesis statement:

1. Financially stable
- provide accommodation (safety)
- transportation
- daily necessities
2. Caring
- concerns about childrens social life (protective)
- good listener for problems (provide solutions)
- supportive
3. Modern
- open-minded
- tech-savvy
4. Good parenting skills
- cooks, takes care of childrens diet
- fair and just
- patient

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