How to Write How to Write

a Thesis!a Thesis!

Research Edition Research Edition

Thesis WritingThesis Writing Remember:Remember:

Your thesis is the MOST important part Your thesis is the MOST important part of your paper!of your paper!

It tells the reader exactly what you are It tells the reader exactly what you are going to talk about/ argue in your going to talk about/ argue in your essay.essay.

It is ALWAYS the last sentence of your It is ALWAYS the last sentence of your intro paragraph. intro paragraph.

Thesis for ResearchThesis for Research Your thesis must state your opinion on Your thesis must state your opinion on

the issue without using 1the issue without using 1stst person (I, me, person (I, me, my, we…etc).my, we…etc).

BADBAD: I believe the death penalty provides : I believe the death penalty provides the best form of justice in our judicial the best form of justice in our judicial system. system.

GOODGOOD: The death penalty provides the : The death penalty provides the best form of justice in our judicial system. best form of justice in our judicial system.

What Your Thesis Should What Your Thesis Should SaySay

Your thesis should state the three points you are going to discuss in your paper. 3 paragraphs = 3 points Ex: Capital punishment is unnecessary

in our society because it continues the idea of killing, it doesn’t allow for rehabilitation, and it is mean.

Use strong, active Use strong, active verbs!verbs!

Each point in your thesis should include a strong verb. Avoid “be” verbs (is, are, was, were, being…). Ex: Capital punishment is unnecessary

in our society because it continues the idea of killing, it doesn’t allow for rehabilitation, and it promotes cruelty.

Use parallel Use parallel structure!structure!

All three points should use the same phrasal format.

Compare this BAD example to the good one on the previous slide: Capital punishment is unnecessary in our

society because it continues the idea of killing, rehabilitation is not possible, and promotion of cruelty.

Practice evaluating Practice evaluating these thesis these thesis statements.statements.

Write good or bad for each statement. Write good or bad for each statement. If it’s bad, explain why.If it’s bad, explain why.

1. Church and state should remain separate because our country was founded on freedom of religion, many different religions exist in our nation, and only human logic should determine public policy.

2. I believe organs should not be bought and sold because all patients should have equal access to organs, no one should gain wealth from the sale of human tissue, and organ transfer should occur as quickly as possible.

3. Government regulations do not help reduce water pollution because our agencies lack the manpower to enforce regulations, powerful industries use loopholes to avoid regulations, and governments do not cooperate to solve this global problem.

4.4. Increased security has helped to curb school Increased security has helped to curb school violence because officers catch criminals in violence because officers catch criminals in the act, who do not want criminal records, the act, who do not want criminal records, and students will stay away if they know and students will stay away if they know security is present.security is present.

5.5. Materialism does not help the economy Materialism does not help the economy because only rich people are materialistic because only rich people are materialistic and benefit, and it does not reflect valid and benefit, and it does not reflect valid economic principles.economic principles.

Use this form to write your Use this form to write your thesis!thesis!

_____________ is ____________because it ______________,______________, and______________.

This thesis statement is subject to This thesis statement is subject to revising and editing and needs to berevising and editing and needs to be

approved by Ms. Spradley approved by Ms. Spradley

(your topic) (your opinion)

(reason #1)

(reason #2)

(reason #3)