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• How to Write a Thesis Statement | 4 Steps & Examples

How to Write a Thesis Statement | 4 Steps & Examples

Published on January 11, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on August 15, 2023 by Eoghan Ryan.

A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . It usually comes near the end of your introduction .

Your thesis will look a bit different depending on the type of essay you’re writing. But the thesis statement should always clearly state the main idea you want to get across. Everything else in your essay should relate back to this idea.

You can write your thesis statement by following four simple steps:

• Start with a question
• Write your initial answer
• Develop your answer
• Refine your thesis statement

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Table of contents

What is a thesis statement, placement of the thesis statement, step 1: start with a question, step 2: write your initial answer, step 3: develop your answer, step 4: refine your thesis statement, types of thesis statements, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about thesis statements.

A thesis statement summarizes the central points of your essay. It is a signpost telling the reader what the essay will argue and why.

The best thesis statements are:

• Concise: A good thesis statement is short and sweet—don’t use more words than necessary. State your point clearly and directly in one or two sentences.
• Contentious: Your thesis shouldn’t be a simple statement of fact that everyone already knows. A good thesis statement is a claim that requires further evidence or analysis to back it up.
• Coherent: Everything mentioned in your thesis statement must be supported and explained in the rest of your paper.

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The thesis statement generally appears at the end of your essay introduction or research paper introduction .

The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education. The use of the internet in academic contexts and among young people more generally is hotly debated. For many who did not grow up with this technology, its effects seem alarming and potentially harmful. This concern, while understandable, is misguided. The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its many benefits for education: the internet facilitates easier access to information, exposure to different perspectives, and a flexible learning environment for both students and teachers.

You should come up with an initial thesis, sometimes called a working thesis , early in the writing process . As soon as you’ve decided on your essay topic , you need to work out what you want to say about it—a clear thesis will give your essay direction and structure.

You might already have a question in your assignment, but if not, try to come up with your own. What would you like to find out or decide about your topic?

For example, you might ask:

After some initial research, you can formulate a tentative answer to this question. At this stage it can be simple, and it should guide the research process and writing process .

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Now you need to consider why this is your answer and how you will convince your reader to agree with you. As you read more about your topic and begin writing, your answer should get more detailed.

In your essay about the internet and education, the thesis states your position and sketches out the key arguments you’ll use to support it.

The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its many benefits for education because it facilitates easier access to information.

In your essay about braille, the thesis statement summarizes the key historical development that you’ll explain.

The invention of braille in the 19th century transformed the lives of blind people, allowing them to participate more actively in public life.

A strong thesis statement should tell the reader:

• Why you hold this position
• What they’ll learn from your essay
• The key points of your argument or narrative

The final thesis statement doesn’t just state your position, but summarizes your overall argument or the entire topic you’re going to explain. To strengthen a weak thesis statement, it can help to consider the broader context of your topic.

These examples are more specific and show that you’ll explore your topic in depth.

Your thesis statement should match the goals of your essay, which vary depending on the type of essay you’re writing:

• In an argumentative essay , your thesis statement should take a strong position. Your aim in the essay is to convince your reader of this thesis based on evidence and logical reasoning.
• In an expository essay , you’ll aim to explain the facts of a topic or process. Your thesis statement doesn’t have to include a strong opinion in this case, but it should clearly state the central point you want to make, and mention the key elements you’ll explain.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . Everything else you write should relate to this key idea.

The thesis statement is essential in any academic essay or research paper for two main reasons:

• It gives your writing direction and focus.
• It gives the reader a concise summary of your main point.

Without a clear thesis statement, an essay can end up rambling and unfocused, leaving your reader unsure of exactly what you want to say.

Follow these four steps to come up with a thesis statement :

• Ask a question about your topic .
• Write your initial answer.
• Develop your answer by including reasons.
• Refine your answer, adding more detail and nuance.

The thesis statement should be placed at the end of your essay introduction .

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Writing a Paper: Thesis Statements

Basics of thesis statements.

The thesis statement is the brief articulation of your paper's central argument and purpose. You might hear it referred to as simply a "thesis." Every scholarly paper should have a thesis statement, and strong thesis statements are concise, specific, and arguable. Concise means the thesis is short: perhaps one or two sentences for a shorter paper. Specific means the thesis deals with a narrow and focused topic, appropriate to the paper's length. Arguable means that a scholar in your field could disagree (or perhaps already has!).

Strong thesis statements address specific intellectual questions, have clear positions, and use a structure that reflects the overall structure of the paper. Read on to learn more about constructing a strong thesis statement.

Being Specific

This thesis statement has no specific argument:

Needs Improvement: In this essay, I will examine two scholarly articles to find similarities and differences.

This statement is concise, but it is neither specific nor arguable—a reader might wonder, "Which scholarly articles? What is the topic of this paper? What field is the author writing in?" Additionally, the purpose of the paper—to "examine…to find similarities and differences" is not of a scholarly level. Identifying similarities and differences is a good first step, but strong academic argument goes further, analyzing what those similarities and differences might mean or imply.

Better: In this essay, I will argue that Bowler's (2003) autocratic management style, when coupled with Smith's (2007) theory of social cognition, can reduce the expenses associated with employee turnover.

The new revision here is still concise, as well as specific and arguable.  We can see that it is specific because the writer is mentioning (a) concrete ideas and (b) exact authors.  We can also gather the field (business) and the topic (management and employee turnover). The statement is arguable because the student goes beyond merely comparing; he or she draws conclusions from that comparison ("can reduce the expenses associated with employee turnover").

Making a Unique Argument

This thesis draft repeats the language of the writing prompt without making a unique argument:

Needs Improvement: The purpose of this essay is to monitor, assess, and evaluate an educational program for its strengths and weaknesses. Then, I will provide suggestions for improvement.

You can see here that the student has simply stated the paper's assignment, without articulating specifically how he or she will address it. The student can correct this error simply by phrasing the thesis statement as a specific answer to the assignment prompt.

Better: Through a series of student interviews, I found that Kennedy High School's antibullying program was ineffective. In order to address issues of conflict between students, I argue that Kennedy High School should embrace policies outlined by the California Department of Education (2010).

Words like "ineffective" and "argue" show here that the student has clearly thought through the assignment and analyzed the material; he or she is putting forth a specific and debatable position. The concrete information ("student interviews," "antibullying") further prepares the reader for the body of the paper and demonstrates how the student has addressed the assignment prompt without just restating that language.

Creating a Debate

This thesis statement includes only obvious fact or plot summary instead of argument:

Needs Improvement: Leadership is an important quality in nurse educators.

A good strategy to determine if your thesis statement is too broad (and therefore, not arguable) is to ask yourself, "Would a scholar in my field disagree with this point?" Here, we can see easily that no scholar is likely to argue that leadership is an unimportant quality in nurse educators.  The student needs to come up with a more arguable claim, and probably a narrower one; remember that a short paper needs a more focused topic than a dissertation.

Better: Roderick's (2009) theory of participatory leadership  is particularly appropriate to nurse educators working within the emergency medicine field, where students benefit most from collegial and kinesthetic learning.

Here, the student has identified a particular type of leadership ("participatory leadership"), narrowing the topic, and has made an arguable claim (this type of leadership is "appropriate" to a specific type of nurse educator). Conceivably, a scholar in the nursing field might disagree with this approach. The student's paper can now proceed, providing specific pieces of evidence to support the arguable central claim.

Choosing the Right Words

This thesis statement uses large or scholarly-sounding words that have no real substance:

Needs Improvement: Scholars should work to seize metacognitive outcomes by harnessing discipline-based networks to empower collaborative infrastructures.

There are many words in this sentence that may be buzzwords in the student's field or key terms taken from other texts, but together they do not communicate a clear, specific meaning. Sometimes students think scholarly writing means constructing complex sentences using special language, but actually it's usually a stronger choice to write clear, simple sentences. When in doubt, remember that your ideas should be complex, not your sentence structure.

Better: Ecologists should work to educate the U.S. public on conservation methods by making use of local and national green organizations to create a widespread communication plan.

Notice in the revision that the field is now clear (ecology), and the language has been made much more field-specific ("conservation methods," "green organizations"), so the reader is able to see concretely the ideas the student is communicating.

Leaving Room for Discussion

This thesis statement is not capable of development or advancement in the paper:

Needs Improvement: There are always alternatives to illegal drug use.

This sample thesis statement makes a claim, but it is not a claim that will sustain extended discussion. This claim is the type of claim that might be appropriate for the conclusion of a paper, but in the beginning of the paper, the student is left with nowhere to go. What further points can be made? If there are "always alternatives" to the problem the student is identifying, then why bother developing a paper around that claim? Ideally, a thesis statement should be complex enough to explore over the length of the entire paper.

Better: The most effective treatment plan for methamphetamine addiction may be a combination of pharmacological and cognitive therapy, as argued by Baker (2008), Smith (2009), and Xavier (2011).

In the revised thesis, you can see the student make a specific, debatable claim that has the potential to generate several pages' worth of discussion. When drafting a thesis statement, think about the questions your thesis statement will generate: What follow-up inquiries might a reader have? In the first example, there are almost no additional questions implied, but the revised example allows for a good deal more exploration.

Thesis Mad Libs

If you are having trouble getting started, try using the models below to generate a rough model of a thesis statement! These models are intended for drafting purposes only and should not appear in your final work.

• In this essay, I argue ____, using ______ to assert _____.
• While scholars have often argued ______, I argue______, because_______.
• Through an analysis of ______, I argue ______, which is important because_______.

Words to Avoid and to Embrace

When drafting your thesis statement, avoid words like explore, investigate, learn, compile, summarize , and explain to describe the main purpose of your paper. These words imply a paper that summarizes or "reports," rather than synthesizing and analyzing.

Instead of the terms above, try words like argue, critique, question , and interrogate . These more analytical words may help you begin strongly, by articulating a specific, critical, scholarly position.

Read Kayla's blog post for tips on taking a stand in a well-crafted thesis statement.

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Thesis Statements

What this handout is about.

This handout describes what a thesis statement is, how thesis statements work in your writing, and how you can craft or refine one for your draft.

Introduction

Writing in college often takes the form of persuasion—convincing others that you have an interesting, logical point of view on the subject you are studying. Persuasion is a skill you practice regularly in your daily life. You persuade your roommate to clean up, your parents to let you borrow the car, your friend to vote for your favorite candidate or policy. In college, course assignments often ask you to make a persuasive case in writing. You are asked to convince your reader of your point of view. This form of persuasion, often called academic argument, follows a predictable pattern in writing. After a brief introduction of your topic, you state your point of view on the topic directly and often in one sentence. This sentence is the thesis statement, and it serves as a summary of the argument you’ll make in the rest of your paper.

What is a thesis statement?

A thesis statement:

• tells the reader how you will interpret the significance of the subject matter under discussion.
• is a road map for the paper; in other words, it tells the reader what to expect from the rest of the paper.
• directly answers the question asked of you. A thesis is an interpretation of a question or subject, not the subject itself. The subject, or topic, of an essay might be World War II or Moby Dick; a thesis must then offer a way to understand the war or the novel.
• makes a claim that others might dispute.
• is usually a single sentence near the beginning of your paper (most often, at the end of the first paragraph) that presents your argument to the reader. The rest of the paper, the body of the essay, gathers and organizes evidence that will persuade the reader of the logic of your interpretation.

If your assignment asks you to take a position or develop a claim about a subject, you may need to convey that position or claim in a thesis statement near the beginning of your draft. The assignment may not explicitly state that you need a thesis statement because your instructor may assume you will include one. When in doubt, ask your instructor if the assignment requires a thesis statement. When an assignment asks you to analyze, to interpret, to compare and contrast, to demonstrate cause and effect, or to take a stand on an issue, it is likely that you are being asked to develop a thesis and to support it persuasively. (Check out our handout on understanding assignments for more information.)

How do I create a thesis?

A thesis is the result of a lengthy thinking process. Formulating a thesis is not the first thing you do after reading an essay assignment. Before you develop an argument on any topic, you have to collect and organize evidence, look for possible relationships between known facts (such as surprising contrasts or similarities), and think about the significance of these relationships. Once you do this thinking, you will probably have a “working thesis” that presents a basic or main idea and an argument that you think you can support with evidence. Both the argument and your thesis are likely to need adjustment along the way.

Writers use all kinds of techniques to stimulate their thinking and to help them clarify relationships or comprehend the broader significance of a topic and arrive at a thesis statement. For more ideas on how to get started, see our handout on brainstorming .

How do I know if my thesis is strong?

If there’s time, run it by your instructor or make an appointment at the Writing Center to get some feedback. Even if you do not have time to get advice elsewhere, you can do some thesis evaluation of your own. When reviewing your first draft and its working thesis, ask yourself the following :

• Do I answer the question? Re-reading the question prompt after constructing a working thesis can help you fix an argument that misses the focus of the question. If the prompt isn’t phrased as a question, try to rephrase it. For example, “Discuss the effect of X on Y” can be rephrased as “What is the effect of X on Y?”
• Have I taken a position that others might challenge or oppose? If your thesis simply states facts that no one would, or even could, disagree with, it’s possible that you are simply providing a summary, rather than making an argument.
• Is my thesis statement specific enough? Thesis statements that are too vague often do not have a strong argument. If your thesis contains words like “good” or “successful,” see if you could be more specific: why is something “good”; what specifically makes something “successful”?
• Does my thesis pass the “So what?” test? If a reader’s first response is likely to  be “So what?” then you need to clarify, to forge a relationship, or to connect to a larger issue.
• Does my essay support my thesis specifically and without wandering? If your thesis and the body of your essay do not seem to go together, one of them has to change. It’s okay to change your working thesis to reflect things you have figured out in the course of writing your paper. Remember, always reassess and revise your writing as necessary.
• Does my thesis pass the “how and why?” test? If a reader’s first response is “how?” or “why?” your thesis may be too open-ended and lack guidance for the reader. See what you can add to give the reader a better take on your position right from the beginning.

Suppose you are taking a course on contemporary communication, and the instructor hands out the following essay assignment: “Discuss the impact of social media on public awareness.” Looking back at your notes, you might start with this working thesis:

Social media impacts public awareness in both positive and negative ways.

You can use the questions above to help you revise this general statement into a stronger thesis.

• Do I answer the question? You can analyze this if you rephrase “discuss the impact” as “what is the impact?” This way, you can see that you’ve answered the question only very generally with the vague “positive and negative ways.”
• Have I taken a position that others might challenge or oppose? Not likely. Only people who maintain that social media has a solely positive or solely negative impact could disagree.
• Is my thesis statement specific enough? No. What are the positive effects? What are the negative effects?
• Does my thesis pass the “how and why?” test? No. Why are they positive? How are they positive? What are their causes? Why are they negative? How are they negative? What are their causes?
• Does my thesis pass the “So what?” test? No. Why should anyone care about the positive and/or negative impact of social media?

After thinking about your answers to these questions, you decide to focus on the one impact you feel strongly about and have strong evidence for:

Because not every voice on social media is reliable, people have become much more critical consumers of information, and thus, more informed voters.

This version is a much stronger thesis! It answers the question, takes a specific position that others can challenge, and it gives a sense of why it matters.

Let’s try another. Suppose your literature professor hands out the following assignment in a class on the American novel: Write an analysis of some aspect of Mark Twain’s novel Huckleberry Finn. “This will be easy,” you think. “I loved Huckleberry Finn!” You grab a pad of paper and write:

Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn is a great American novel.

You begin to analyze your thesis:

• Do I answer the question? No. The prompt asks you to analyze some aspect of the novel. Your working thesis is a statement of general appreciation for the entire novel.

Think about aspects of the novel that are important to its structure or meaning—for example, the role of storytelling, the contrasting scenes between the shore and the river, or the relationships between adults and children. Now you write:

In Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain develops a contrast between life on the river and life on the shore.

• Do I answer the question? Yes!
• Have I taken a position that others might challenge or oppose? Not really. This contrast is well-known and accepted.
• Is my thesis statement specific enough? It’s getting there–you have highlighted an important aspect of the novel for investigation. However, it’s still not clear what your analysis will reveal.
• Does my thesis pass the “how and why?” test? Not yet. Compare scenes from the book and see what you discover. Free write, make lists, jot down Huck’s actions and reactions and anything else that seems interesting.
• Does my thesis pass the “So what?” test? What’s the point of this contrast? What does it signify?”

After examining the evidence and considering your own insights, you write:

Through its contrasting river and shore scenes, Twain’s Huckleberry Finn suggests that to find the true expression of American democratic ideals, one must leave “civilized” society and go back to nature.

This final thesis statement presents an interpretation of a literary work based on an analysis of its content. Of course, for the essay itself to be successful, you must now present evidence from the novel that will convince the reader of your interpretation.

Works consulted

We consulted these works while writing this handout. This is not a comprehensive list of resources on the handout’s topic, and we encourage you to do your own research to find additional publications. Please do not use this list as a model for the format of your own reference list, as it may not match the citation style you are using. For guidance on formatting citations, please see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial . We revise these tips periodically and welcome feedback.

Anson, Chris M., and Robert A. Schwegler. 2010. The Longman Handbook for Writers and Readers , 6th ed. New York: Longman.

Lunsford, Andrea A. 2015. The St. Martin’s Handbook , 8th ed. Boston: Bedford/St Martin’s.

Ramage, John D., John C. Bean, and June Johnson. 2018. The Allyn & Bacon Guide to Writing , 8th ed. New York: Pearson.

Ruszkiewicz, John J., Christy Friend, Daniel Seward, and Maxine Hairston. 2010. The Scott, Foresman Handbook for Writers , 9th ed. Boston: Pearson Education.

You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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Module 2: Critical Reading

Identifying thesis statements, introduction, learning objectives.

• identify explicit thesis statements in texts
• identify implicit thesis statements in texts
• identify strategies for using thesis statements to predict content of texts

Being able to identify the purpose and thesis of a text, as you’re reading it, takes practice. This section will offer you that practice.

One fun strategy for developing a deeper understanding the material you’re reading is to make a visual “map” of the ideas. Mind maps, whether hand-drawn or done through computer programs, can be fun to make, and help put all the ideas of an essay you’re reading in one easy-to-read format.

Your understanding of what the “central” element of the mind map is might change as you read and re-read. Developing the central idea of your mind map is a great way to help you determine the reading’s thesis.

Hand-drawn Mind Map

Locating Explicit and Implicit Thesis Statements

In academic writing, the thesis is often explicit : it is included as a sentence as part of the text. It might be near the beginning of the work, but not always–some types of academic writing leave the thesis until the conclusion.

Journalism and reporting also rely on explicit thesis statements that appear very early in the piece–the first paragraph or even the first sentence.

Works of literature, on the other hand, usually do not contain a specific sentence that sums up the core concept of the writing. However, readers should finish the piece with a good understanding of what the work was trying to convey. This is what’s called an implicit thesis statement: the primary point of the reading is conveyed indirectly, in multiple locations throughout the work. (In literature, this is also referred to as the theme of the work.)

Academic writing sometimes relies on implicit thesis statements, as well.

This video offers excellent guidance in identifying the thesis statement of a work, no matter if it’s explicit or implicit.

Topic Sentences

We’ve learned that a thesis statement conveys the primary message of an entire piece of text. Now, let’s look at the next level of important sentences in a piece of text: topic sentences in each paragraph.

A useful metaphor would be to think of the thesis statement of a text as a general: it controls all the major decisions of the writing. There is only one thesis statement in a text. Topic sentences, in this relationship, serve as captains: they organize and sub-divide the overall goals of a writing into individual components. Each paragraph will have a topic sentence.

It might be helpful to think of a topic sentence as working in two directions simultaneously. It relates the paragraph to the essay’s thesis, and thereby acts as a signpost for the argument of the paper as a whole, but it also defines the scope of the paragraph itself. For example, consider the following topic sentence:

Many characters in Lorraine Hansberry’s play  A Raisin in the Sun have one particular dream in which they are following, though the character Walter pursues his most aggressively.

If this sentence controls the paragraph that follows, then all sentences in the paragraph must relate in some way to Walter and the pursuit of his dream.

Topic sentences often act like tiny thesis statements. Like a thesis statement, a topic sentence makes a claim of some sort. As the thesis statement is the unifying force in the essay, so the topic sentence must be the unifying force in the paragraph. Further, as is the case with the thesis statement, when the topic sentence makes a claim, the paragraph which follows must expand, describe, or prove it in some way. Topic sentences make a point and give reasons or examples to support it.

The topic sentence is often, though not always, the first sentence of a paragraph.

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• Thesis Statement

Thesis Statements: How to Identify and Write Them

Students read about and watch videos about how to identify and write thesis statements. 

Then, students complete two exercises where they identify and write thesis statements. 

*Conditions of Use: While the content on each page is licensed under an  Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike  license, some pages contain content and/or references with other types of licenses or copyrights. Please look at the bottom of each page to view this information. 

Learning Objectives

By the end of these readings and exercises, students will be able to: 

• define the term thesis statement
• read about two recommended thesis statement models 
• practice identifying thesis statements in other texts
• write your own effective thesis statements

Attributions:

• The banner image is licensed under  Adobe Stock .
• The untitled image of a detective by Peggy_Marco is licensed under Pixabay . 

What is a thesis statement?

The thesis statement is the key to most academic writing. The purpose of academic writing is to offer your own insights, analyses, and ideas—to show not only that you understand the concepts you’re studying, but also that you have thought about those concepts in your own way and agreed or disagreed, or developed your own unique ideas as a result of your analysis. The  thesis statement  is the one sentence that encapsulates the result of your thinking, as it offers your main insight or argument in condensed form.

We often use the word “argument” in English courses, but we do not mean it in the traditional sense of a verbal fight with someone else. Instead, you “argue” by taking a position on an issue and supporting it with evidence. Because you’ve taken a position about your topic, someone else may be in a position to disagree (or argue) with the stance you have taken. Think about how a lawyer presents an argument or states their case in a courtroom—similarly, you want to build a case around the main idea of your essay. For example, in 1848, when Elizabeth Cady Stanton drafted “The Declaration of Sentiments,” she was thinking about how to convince New York State policymakers to change the laws to allow women to vote. Stanton was making an argument.

Some consider all writing a form of argument—or at least of persuasion. After all, even if you’re writing a letter or an informative essay, you’re implicitly trying to persuade your audience to care about what you’re saying. Your thesis statement represents the main idea—or point—about a topic or issue that you make in an argument. For example, let’s say that your topic is social media. A thesis statement about social media could look like one of the following sentences:

• Social media harms the self-esteem of American pre-teen girls.
• Social media can help connect researchers when they use hashtags to curate their work.
• Social media tools are not tools for social movements, they are marketing tools.

Please take a look at this video which explains the basic definition of a thesis statement further (we will be building upon these ideas through the rest of the readings and exercises): 

Attributions: 

• The content about thesis statements has been modified from English Composition 1 by Lumen Learning and Audrey Fisch et al. and appears under an  Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license. 
• The video "Purdue OWL: Thesis Statements" by the Purdue University Online Writing Lab appears under a YouTube license . 

The Two-Story Model (basic)

First, we will cover the two-story thesis statement model. This is the most basic model, but that doesn't mean it's bad or that you shouldn't use it. If you have a hard time with thesis statements or if you just want to keep things simple, this model is perfect for you. Think of it like a two-story building with two layers. 

A basic thesis sentence has two main parts:

• Topic:  What you’re writing about
• Angle:  What your main idea is about that topic, or your claim

Examples: 

When you read all of the thesis statement examples, can you see areas where the writer could be more specific with their angle? The more specific you are with your topic and your claims, the more focused your essay will be for your reader.

Thesis:  A regular exercise regime leads to multiple benefits, both physical and emotional.

• Topic:  Regular exercise regime
• Angle:  Leads to multiple benefits

Thesis:  Adult college students have different experiences than typical, younger college students.

• Topic:  Adult college students
• Angle:  Have different experiences

Thesis:  The economics of television have made the viewing experience challenging for many viewers because shows are not offered regularly, similar programming occurs at the same time, and commercials are rampant.

• Topic:  Television viewing
• Angle:  Challenging because shows shifted, similar programming, and commercials

Please watch how Dr. Cielle Amundson demonstrates the two-story thesis statement model in this video:

• The video "Thesis Statement Definition" by  Dr. Cielle Amundson  appears under a YouTube license . 

The Three-Story Model (advanced)

Now, it's time to challenge yourself. The three-story model is like a building with three stories. Adding multiple levels to your thesis statement makes it more specific and sophisticated. Though you'll be trying your hand with this model in the activity later on, throughout our course, you are free to choose either the two-story or three-story thesis statement model. Still, it's good to know what the three-story model entails. 

A thesis statement can have three parts: 

• Relevance : Why your argument is meaningful

Conceptualizing the Three-Story Model: 

A helpful metaphor based on this passage by Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.:

There are one-story intellects, two-story intellects, and three-story intellects with skylights. All fact collectors who have no aim beyond their facts are one-story men. Two-story men compare, reason, generalize using the labor of fact collectors as their own. Three-story men idealize, imagine, predict—their best illumination comes from above the skylight.

One-story theses state inarguable facts. Two-story theses bring in an arguable (interpretive or analytical) point. Three-story theses nest that point within its larger, compelling implications. 

The biggest benefit of the three-story metaphor is that it describes a process for building a thesis. To build the first story, you first have to get familiar with the complex, relevant facts surrounding the problem or question. You have to be able to describe the situation thoroughly and accurately. Then, with that first story built, you can layer on the second story by formulating the insightful, arguable point that animates the analysis. That’s often the most effortful part: brainstorming, elaborating and comparing alternative ideas, finalizing your point. With that specified, you can frame up the third story by articulating why the point you make matters beyond its particular topic or case.

Though the three-story thesis statement model appears a little bit differently in this video, you can still see how it follows the patterns mentioned within this section: 

• The content about thesis statements has been modified from Writing in College by Amy Guptill from Milne Publishing and appears under an  Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0) license. 
• The video "How to Write a STRONG Thesis Statement" by Scribbr  appears under a YouTube license . 

Identifying Thesis Statements

You’ll remember that the first step of the reading process, previewing ,  allows you to get a big-picture view of the document you’re reading. This way, you can begin to understand the structure of the overall text. The most important step of understanding an essay or a book is to find the thesis statement.

Pinpointing a Thesis Statement

A thesis consists of a specific topic and an angle on the topic. All of the other ideas in the text support and develop the thesis. The thesis statement is often found in the introduction, sometimes after an initial “hook” or interesting story; sometimes, however, the thesis is not explicitly stated until the end of an essay. Sometimes it is not stated at all. In those instances, there is an  implied thesis statement.  You can generally extract the thesis statement by looking for a few key sentences and ideas.

Most readers expect to see the point of your argument (the thesis statement) within the first few paragraphs. This does not mean that it has to be placed there every time. Some writers place it at the very end, slowly building up to it throughout their work, to explain a point after the fact. Others don’t bother with one at all but feel that their thesis is “implied” anyway. Beginning writers, however, should avoid the implied thesis unless certain of the audience. Almost every professor will expect to see a clearly discernible thesis sentence in the introduction.

Shared Characteristics of Thesis Statements:

• present the main idea
• are one sentence
• tell the reader what to expect
• summarize the essay topic
• present an argument
• are written in the third person (does not include the “I” pronoun)

The following “How to Identify a Thesis Statement” video offers advice for locating a text’s thesis statement. It asks you to write one or two sentences that summarize the text. When you write that summary, without looking at the text itself, you’ve most likely paraphrased the thesis statement.

You can view the  transcript for “How to Identify the Thesis Statement” here (download).

Try it! 

Try to check your thesis statement identification skills with this interactive exercise from the Excelsior University Online Writing Lab. 

• The video "How to Identidy the Thesis Statement" by  Martha Ann Kennedy  appears under a YouTube license . 
• The "Judging Thesis Statements" exercise from the Purdue University Online Writing Lab appears under an Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license. 

Writing Your Own Thesis Statements

A thesis statement is a single sentence (or sometimes two) that provides the answers to these questions clearly and concisely. Ask yourself, “What is my paper about, exactly?” Answering this question will help you develop a precise and directed thesis, not only for your reader, but for you as well.

Key Elements of an Effective Thesis Statement: 

• A good thesis is non-obvious. High school teachers needed to make sure that you and all your classmates mastered the basic form of the academic essay. Thus, they were mostly concerned that you had a clear and consistent thesis, even if it was something obvious like “sustainability is important.” A thesis statement like that has a wide-enough scope to incorporate several supporting points and concurring evidence, enabling the writer to demonstrate his or her mastery of the five-paragraph form. Good enough! When they can, high school teachers nudge students to develop arguments that are less obvious and more engaging. College instructors, though, fully expect you to produce something more developed.
• A good thesis is arguable . In everyday life, “arguable” is often used as a synonym for “doubtful.” For a thesis, though, “arguable” means that it’s worth arguing: it’s something with which a reasonable person might disagree. This arguability criterion dovetails with the non-obvious one: it shows that the author has deeply explored a problem and arrived at an argument that legitimately needs 3, 5, 10, or 20 pages to explain and justify. In that way, a good thesis sets an ambitious agenda for a paper. A thesis like “sustainability is important” isn’t at all difficult to argue for, and the reader would have little intrinsic motivation to read the rest of the paper. However, an arguable thesis like “sustainability policies will inevitably fail if they do not incorporate social justice,” brings up some healthy skepticism. Thus, the arguable thesis makes the reader want to keep reading.
• A good thesis is well specified. Some student writers fear that they’re giving away the game if they specify their thesis up front; they think that a purposefully vague thesis might be more intriguing to the reader. However, consider movie trailers: they always include the most exciting and poignant moments from the film to attract an audience. In academic papers, too, a well specified thesis indicates that the author has thought rigorously about an issue and done thorough research, which makes the reader want to keep reading. Don’t just say that a particular policy is effective or fair; say what makes it is so. If you want to argue that a particular claim is dubious or incomplete, say why in your thesis.
• A good thesis includes implications. Suppose your assignment is to write a paper about some aspect of the history of linen production and trade, a topic that may seem exceedingly arcane. And suppose you have constructed a well supported and creative argument that linen was so widely traded in the ancient Mediterranean that it actually served as a kind of currency. 2  That’s a strong, insightful, arguable, well specified thesis. But which of these thesis statements do you find more engaging?

How Can You Write Your Thesis Statements?

A good basic structure for a thesis statement is “they say, I say.” What is the prevailing view, and how does your position differ from it? However, avoid limiting the scope of your writing with an either/or thesis under the assumption that your view must be strictly contrary to their view.

• focus on one, interesting idea
• choose the two-story or three-story model
• be as specific as possible
• write clearly
• have evidence to support it (for later on)

Thesis Statement Examples: 

• Although many readers believe Romeo and Juliet to be a tale about the ill fate of two star-crossed lovers, it can also be read as an allegory concerning a playwright and his audience.
• The “War on Drugs” has not only failed to reduce the frequency of drug-related crimes in America but actually enhanced the popular image of dope peddlers by romanticizing them as desperate rebels fighting for a cause.
• The bulk of modern copyright law was conceived in the age of commercial printing, long before the Internet made it so easy for the public to compose and distribute its own texts. Therefore, these laws should be reviewed and revised to better accommodate modern readers and writers.
• The usual moral justification for capital punishment is that it deters crime by frightening would-be criminals. However, the statistics tell a different story.
• If students really want to improve their writing, they must read often, practice writing, and receive quality feedback from their peers.
• Plato’s dialectical method has much to offer those engaged in online writing, which is far more conversational in nature than print.

You can gather more thesis statement tips and tricks from this video titled "How to Create a Thesis Statement" from the Florida SouthWestern State College Academic Support Centers: 

• The video "How to Create a Thesis Statement" by the Florida SouthWestern State College Academic Support Centers appears under a YouTube license . 

Additional, Optional Resources

If you feel like you might need more support with thesis statements, please check out these helpful resources for some extra, optional instruction: 

• "Checklist for a Thesis Statement"  from the  Excelsior University Online Writing Lab  which appears under an Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license. 
• "Developing Your Thesis" from Hamiliton College which appears under a copyright. 
• "Parts of a Thesis Sentence and Common Problems"  from the  Excelsior University Online Writing Lab  which appears under an Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license.
• "Tips and Examples for Writing Thesis Statements" from the Purdue University Writing Lab which appears under a copyright. 
• "Writing Thesis Statements & Hypotheses" by Hope Matis from Clarkson University which appears under a copyright. 
• The content about these resources has been modified from English Composition 1 by Lumen Learning and Audrey Fisch et al. and appears under an  Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license. 
• The content about these resources has been modified from Writing in College by Amy Guptill from Milne Publishing and appears under an  Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0) license. 
• The untitled image of the books by OpenClipart-Vectors is licensed under Pixabay . 

Exercise #1: Identify Thesis Statements

Throughout the readings, we have been learning what an effective thesis statement is and what it is not. Before we even get to writing our own thesis statements, let's look for real-world examples. It's your turn to locate and identify thesis statements!

Objectives/Goals

By completeting this exercise students will be able to: 

• identify the main ideas within a text 
• summarize the main ideas within a text
• choose one sentence from the text which you believe is the thesis statement
• argue why you believe that's the true thesis statement of the text

Instructions

• Any print or online text (probably something around a page in length) will be fine for this exercise. 
• If you have trouble finding a text, I recommend looking at this collection from  88 Open Essays – A Reader for Students of Composition & Rhetoric  by Sarah Wangler and Tina Ulrich. 
• Write the title of the text that you selected and the full name(s) of the author (this is called the full citation). 
• Provide a hyperlink for that text. 
• Write one paragraph (5+ sentences) summarizing the main points of the text. 
• Write one more argumentative paragraph (5+ sentences) where you discuss which sentence (make sure it appears within quotation marks, but don't worry about in-text citations for now) you think is the author's thesis statement and why. 

Submitting the Assignment

You will be submitting Exercise #1: Identify Thesis Statements within Canvas in our weekly module. 

Please check the assignment page for deadlines and Canvas Guides to help you in case you have trouble submitting your document. 

• "88 Open Essays - A Reader for Students of Composition & Rhetoric" by Sarah Wangler and Tina Ulrich from LibreTexts appears under an  Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0) license. 

Exercise #2: Write Your Own Thesis Statements

Now that you've had some practice with locating and identifying thesis statements, you are ready to write some practice thesis statements yourself. 

• write a two-story thesis statement 
• write a three-story thesis statement
• reflect on your thesis statement skills
• Using the same text from Exercise #1, write a two-story thesis statement in response to that text. 
• Using the same text from Exercise #1, write a three-story thesis statement in response to that text. 
• Is it easy for you to identify thesis statements in other texts? Why or why not?
• What methods do you use to identify/locate thesis statements?
• In the past, how have you felt when you needed to write a thesis statement?
• How did you feel about writing your own thesis statements in Exercise #2?
• Which thesis statement writing strategies were the most beneficial to you? Why?
• What challenges did you face when you were writing you thesis statement for Exercise #2?

You will be submitting Exercise #2: Write Your Own Thesis Statements within Canvas in our weekly module. 

• The untitled image of the writing supplies by ptra  is licensed under Pixabay . 

Version History

English for Academic and

Professional

Purposes Quarter 1 – Module 4: Thesis Statements

English for Academic and Professional Purposes – Grade 11 Self-Learning Module (SLM) Quarter 1 – Module 4: Thesis Statements First Edition, 2020

Republic Act 8293, section 176 states that: No copyright shall subsist in any work of the Government of the Philippines . However, prior approval of the government agency or office wherein the work is created shall be necessary for exploitation of such work for profit. Such agency or office may, among other things, impose as a condition the payment of royalties.

Borrowed materials (i.e., songs, stories, poems, pictures, photos, brand names, trademarks, etc.) included in this module are owned by their respective copyright holders. Every effort has been exerted to locate and seek permission to use these materials from their respective copyright owners. The publisher and authors do not represent nor claim ownership over them.

Development Team of the Module

Writers: Pearl Joy L. Jakar Editors: Louie Mark Garvida, Imelda C. Martinez, Jerryl Jean L. Salunayan Reviewers: Helen J. Ranan, Sally A. Palomo Illustrator: Reggie D. Galindez Layout Artist: John Arvin B. Genosa Cover Art Designer: Ian Caesar E. Frondoza Management Team: Allan G. Farnazo, CESO IV – Regional Director Fiel Y. Almendra, CESO V – Assistant Regional Director Romelito G. Flores, CESO V - Schools Division Superintendent Mario M. Bermudez, CESO VI – Assist. Schools Division Superintendent Gilbert B. Barrera – Chief, CLMD Arturo D. Tingson Jr. – REPS, LRMS Peter Van C. Ang-ug – REPS, ADM Gerardo Magno – Subject Area Supervisor Juliet F. Lastimosa - CID Chief Sally A. Palomo - Division EPS In- Charge of LRMS Gregorio O. Ruales - Division ADM Coordinator Ronnie R. Sunggay / Helen J. Ranan – Subject Area Supervisor / Coordinator

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English for Academic and Professional Purposes Quarter 1 – Module 4: Thesis Statements

Introductory Message

For the facilitator:

Welcome to the English for Academic and Professional Purposes 11 Self-Learning Module (SLM) on Thesis Statements!

This module was collaboratively designed, developed and reviewed by educators both from public and private institutions to assist you, the teacher or facilitator in helping the learners meet the standards set by the K to 12 Curriculum while overcoming their personal, social, and economic constraints in schooling.

This learning resource hopes to engage the learners into guided and independent learning activities at their own pace and time. Furthermore, this also aims to help learners acquire the needed 21st century skills while taking into consideration their needs and circumstances.

In addition to the material in the main text, you will also see this box in the body of the module:

Notes to the Teacher This contains helpful tips or strategies that will help you in guiding the learners.

As a facilitator you are expected to orient the learners on how to use this module. You also need to keep track of the learners' progress while allowing them to manage their own learning. Furthermore, you are expected to encourage and assist the learners as they do the tasks included in the module.

For the learner:

The hand is one of the most symbolized part of the human body. It is often used to depict skill, action and purpose. Through our hands we may learn, create and accomplish. Hence, the hand in this learning resource signifies that you as a learner is capable and empowered to successfully achieve the relevant competencies and skills at your own pace and time. Your academic success lies in your own hands!

This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful opportunities for guided and independent learning at your own pace and time. You will be enabled to process the contents of the learning resource while being an active learner.

This module has the following parts and corresponding icons:

What I Need to Know This will give you an idea of the skills or

competencies you are expected to learn in the module.

What I Know This part includes an activity that aims to

check what you already know about the lesson to take. If you get all the answers correct (100%), you may decide to skip this module.

What’s In This is a brief drill or review to help you link

the current lesson with the previous one.

What’s New In this portion, the new lesson will be

introduced to you in various ways such as a story, a song, a poem, a problem opener, an activity or a situation.

What is It This section provides a brief discussion of the

lesson. This aims to help you discover and understand new concepts and skills.

What’s More This comprises activities for independent

practice to solidify your understanding and skills of the topic. You may check the answers to the exercises using the Answer Key at the end of the module.

What I Have Learned This includes questions or blank

sentence/paragraph to be filled in to process what you learned from the lesson.

What I Can Do This section provides an activity which will

help you transfer your new knowledge or skill into real life situations or concerns.

Assessment This is a task which aims to evaluate your

level of mastery in achieving the learning competency.

Additional Activities In this portion, another activity will be given

to you to enrich your knowledge or skill of the lesson learned. This also tends retention of learned concepts.

Answer Key This contains answers to all activities in the

At the end of this module you will also find:

References This is a list of all sources used in developing this module.

The following are some reminders in using this module:

1. Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any part of the module. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises. 2. Don’t forget to answer What I Know before moving on to the other activities included in the module. 3. Read the instruction carefully before doing each task. 4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your answers. 5. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next. 6. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are through with it. If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do not hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator. Always bear in mind that you are not alone.

We hope that through this material, you will experience meaningful learning and gain deep understanding of the relevant competencies. You can do it!

What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you master the Thesis Statements. The scope of this module permits it to be used in many different learning situations. The language used recognizes the diverse vocabulary level of students. The lessons are arranged to follow the standard sequence of the course. But the order in which you read them can be changed to correspond with the textbook you are now using. After going through this module, you will be able to state the thesis statement of an academic text. Specifically, at the end of this module, you will be able to:

1. identify what a thesis statement is; 2. distinguish weak and strong thesis statements; and 3. develop a thesis statement for a given text.

What I Know

Before we start our lesson, let me know what you have learned about thesis statements by answering the pre-test activity below.

Direction: Write the letter of your choice on the spaces provided before each number. ______1. What is a thesis statement? a. It expresses the author’s opinion in a text. b. It is one’s claim on a given topic. c. It is the author’s comment on an issue. d. All of the above. ______2. Which is not true about thesis statements? a. It serves as a roadmap of your paper. b. It states the main idea about the topic or issue. c. A thesis statement can be a quote from a famous person. d. A thesis statement requires evidence or proof. ______3. How long should a thesis statement be? a. one word c. one paragraph b. one sentence d. one text ______4. Which is true about thesis statements? a. It is an announcement. c. It is a fact. b. It is arguable. d. It is a question. ______5. Where is thesis statement located in an academic text? a. first paragraph c. last paragraph b. second paragraph d. anywhere in the text ______6. Which is a thesis statement about Angel Locsin? a. Angel Locsin should receive an award for her charity and humanitarian efforts. b. Angel Locsin is a respected actress in showbiz. c. What makes Angel Locsin a real-life Darna ? d. Not just a film and television actress, Angel Locsin is also a commercial model and fashion designer.

______7. Which among the following is true about thesis statements? a. It tells the reader what the academic text is about. b. There could be one or more thesis statements found in an academic text. c. Thesis statements and topic sentences are similar. d. Thesis statements are found in every paragraph of an academic text. ______8. Which is a thesis statement? a. Which is better, desktops or laptops? b. The Advantages and Disadvantages of Distance Education c. Most Filipino students prefer modular learning to online learning. d. The key to defeat this pandemic is discipline and self-control. ______9. Which among the following is a strong thesis statement? a. Research is an essential subject in Senior High School. b. Corporal punishment is harmful as it only worsens children’s behavior. c. J.K. Rowling, the author of Harry Potter, is a good writer. d. Pollution and mining in the Philippines should be stopped. ______10. Which is the most appropriate thesis statement on the use of educational technology in schools? a. Educational technology includes computers and other software application to aid classroom learning. b. What is educational technology? c. This paper discusses the uses and benefits of educational technology in the classroom. d. Educational technology is a helpful tool that improves students’ academic performance. For numbers 11-15, write T if the statement is correct. Write F is the statement is false. ______11. Third person point of view is used in making thesis statements. ______12. A thesis statement should be supported with facts to make it more effective and convincing. ______13. A thesis statement provides direction of your paper. ______14. A thesis statement should be specific, not broad or general. ______15. A thesis statement should not be an argument about an issue to avoid confusion among readers.

Lesson Thesis Statements 4

Every day in our lives, we often summarize essential ideas of an article or any selection we are reading using different techniques. Can you identify some situations in everyday life where your skill in making a summary is applied?

Before we proceed to the next topic, let’s check what you have learned from the previous lesson.

Notes to the Teacher

Kindly check students’ knowledge on summarizing before you proceed to the next lesson.

Activity 1: Tell Me It’s True or False

Directions: Read the following statements about summarizing. Write TRUE if the statement is correct. Write FALSE if it states otherwise.

______1. Summarizing is crucial to academic success. ______2. The writer may add his own ideas to the academic text he is summarizing.

______3. Summary is a short version of the original text. Therefore, when summarizing, one should remember to only include the most important or essential ideas from the original text. ______4. In summarizing, the writer should paraphrase the text to avoid plagiarism. ______5. When writing a summary, the writer should include the examples given in the original text. Now, that you know what summarizing is, let’s move forward and see what’s in store for you in this module. Let’s do this!

Activity 2: K-W-L Chart Directions: Fill out the first and second column of this chart. For the first column, write what you KNOW about thesis statements. For the second column, write what you WANT to know about it. And the third column, no, not just yet. Leave it blank.

What I Know What I Want to Know What I Learned

How are you coping with our lesson? I hope you are getting more curious and excited about the activities we will discuss in this module.

Activity 3: Read, Reflect, React Directions: Please read the academic text below and answer the Comprehension Guide Questions (CGQs) that follow: Competition and Cooperation (1) Explanations of the interrelation between competition and cooperation have evolved over the time. Early research into competition and cooperation defined each of them in terms of the distribution of rewards related to each. Competition was defined as a situation in which rewards are distributed unequally on the basis of performance, cooperation on the other hand, was defined as a situation in which rewards are distributed equally on the basis of mutual interactive behaviour among individuals. By this definition, a competitive situation requires at least on competitor to fail for each competitor that wins, while a cooperative situation offers a reward only if all members of the group receive it.

(2) Researchers have found definitions of competition and cooperation based upon rewards inadequate primarily because definitions of these two concepts based upon rewards depict them as opposite. In current understanding, competition is not viewed as opposite of cooperation, instead, cooperation is viewed as integral component of competition. Cooperation is necessary among team members, perhaps in a sporting event or in a political race, in order to win the competition, it is equally important to understand that cooperation is of great importance between teams in that same sporting event or ground rules of the game or election in order to compete.

(3) Interestingly, the word competition is derived from a Latin verb which means “to seek together.” An understanding of the derivation of the word competition supports the understanding that cooperation, rather than evoking a characteristic at the opposite extreme of human nature from competition, is in reality a necessary factor in competition.

1. What is the topic of the text? ______2. What is the author’s comment or claim about the topic? ______3. Do you agree with the author’s comment on the topic? Why or why not? ______

Well done! You have progressed quickly. Just keep on having fun while we get to know more about thesis statements.

Kudos! You have accomplished so much already. It’s time for us to learn more about what thesis statement is. The thesis is the main idea or main point of an informational text. It serves as a roadmap of the text you are reading. Simply, the thesis statement provides direction or purpose to the text. It can be expressed anywhere in the selection or passage you are reading. It can be seen at the beginning, middle or end of the text. If the thesis is stated at the beginning, then the reader may expect that the following sentences support or develop it. The ideas are said to be organized in deductive order. However, if the thesis is stated at the latter part of the text, then the preceding statements are the details or the specifics. This follows the inductive order. Remember that, thesis statements require proof or evidences to make your stand more convincing and effective. Thesis statements can also be explicit or implicit. Implicit thesis statements do not clearly express the main idea of a text. The reader has to infer from all the

details stated in the text. On the other hand, explicit thesis statements express the main idea clearly and directly in the text read. The following are the key elements for a strong thesis statement: 1. It is not a fact. A fact is irrefutable. Writing a fact as a thesis makes no argument. Weak: Cats spend most of their time sleeping. Strong: Cats are better than dogs because they keep pests at bay and they require less work than puppies. 2. It is not a question. A question simply does not express one’s claim or comment about a topic.

Weak: What are the advantages of keeping a pet at home? Strong: A person who wants to live happily in life should own a pet because of their ability to help decrease depression, stress and anxiety. 3. It is not an announcement. Avoid saying what you will discuss in the text. Weak: This paper discusses the advantages and disadvantages of owning a pet. Strong: Owning a pet brings good than burden because they can lower stress levels, make one feels safe and teach their owners responsibility. 4. It is not too broad. Avoid making vague and confusing thesis statements by making specific and focused thesis.

Weak: Too much alcohol consumption is not good for the health. Strong: Excessive alcohol consumption increases the risk to health problems as it may cause liver damage, stomach distress and even cancer. 5. It is a complete sentence. A phrase does not convey complete ideas or thought. Stating the thesis in complete sentence makes it easier for the reader to understand the main idea of the text. 6. It requires support. To make your thesis statement persuasive, facts, surveys, reports etc. should be used as proof or evidences to support your claim or opinion on the topic. 7. It takes a stand. The thesis should clearly show your claim about a subject/topic.

8. It is arguable. The thesis should be contestable, debatable or argumentative. Again, the thesis statement should never be a factual statement.

What’s More

You were already taught what thesis statement is. This time, let’s do these tasks and see how much you have learned.

Activity 4: Answer Me! Directions: Choose the most appropriate thesis statement on the following topics. Encircle the letter of your choice. 1. On ABS-CBN Shutdown a. ABS-CBN should not be stopped from operating as many employees may lose their job during this pandemic. b. This paper will explore the reasons why ABS-CBN should be shut down. c. I think ABS-CBN shutdown is a major blow to press freedom in the country. d. What are the reasons of ABS-CBN shutdown? 2. On Reopening of Classes a. It is not safe for students and teachers to attend classes this August. b. The schools, both public and private, must prioritize health safety protocols for learners and teachers by ensuring that vaccines are available in the country before school opening. c. I know a lot of parents are against the reopening of classes this August. d. Pros and cons of resumption of classes amidst this COVID 19 pandemic 3. On Reinstatement of Death Penalty in the Philippines a. Surveys show that Filipinos would like death penalty to be reinstated in the country. b. I believe that death penalty will only violate the human rights of every Filipino. c. Death penalty does not only serve justice to the victims and their family, but it also helps decrease the number of heinous crime in the Philippines. d. This passage talks about why death penalty should be reinstated in the Philippines.

4. On Wearing of School Uniforms a. “It’s not about the dress you wear, but the life you lead in the dress” Diana Vreeland. b. Wearing school uniforms promotes not just self-respect but also respect to learning and educational institutions. c. Wearing of school uniforms have advantages and disadvantages. d. In this paper, I will explore the benefits of school uniform policy. 5. On the Use of Gadgets a. Gadget use should be in moderation as it may negatively affect physical and psychological health. b. Negative effects of gadget use include vision problems, lack of sleep, confusion, and even violence. c. I guess gadget use does more harm than good. d. Any type of gadget is bad for children.

Activity 5: Read, Set, Go! Directions: Read the academic text below and answer the Comprehension Guide Questions (CGQs) on the spaces provided: FOUR VALUES IN FILIPINO DRAMA AND FILM Nicanor G. Tiongson (1) THERE IS NO doubt that cinema has risen as one of the most popular means of mass communication in contemporary Philippines. Movie theaters dot cities, towns and other important commercial centers from Aparri to Jolo. Through these theaters, Nora Aunor has truly become a national figure and tagalog has risen to the status of a real national language. Indeed, movie theaters have become as important to us today as churches were in the last century. (2) Because movies have become one of the most important means of communication, it is high time that the Filipinos examined the values encountered in and propagated by, the movies. These values at the general worldview arising from them inevitably mold the Filipino’s consciousness for better or for worse, in an effective, if insidious, manner through stories that entertain. (3) Sad to say, the principal values encountered in most Filipino movies today are the same negative values they have inherited from the traditional dramas which migrated, so to speak, from stage to screen, and provided the latter, for the longest time, with both form, content and most of all, world-view. Four of these values which we must single out for their prevalence, perseverance and perniciousness may ne encapsulated in the following statements: 1) Maganda ang Maputi (White is beautiful), 2) Masaya ang may Palabas (Shows are the best), 3) Mabuti ang Inaapi (Hurrah for the Underdog!), and 4) Maganda pa ang Daigdig (All is Right with the world)

Comprehension Guide Questions: 1. What is the topic of the text? ______2. What is the thesis or main idea of the text? ______3. Was the thesis explicitly stated, or implicitly stated by the author? ______4. Was the text written in deductive order, or inductive order? ______5. Do you agree with the author’s claim or thesis? Why or why not? ______Activity 6: WeChat Time

Directions: In this activity, identify which thesis statement is weak and which one is strong. Write W if the statement is weak and S if the statement is strong. Then, explain why the statement is weak or strong. If you think it is weak, improve the statement. If it’s a strong thesis statement, just leave the Improved Thesis Statement blank.

1. Internet usage has a negative effect to people, especially to children.

Answer: ______

Explanation: ______

Improved Thesis Statement: ______

2. The minimum wage in the country should be raised as it is beneficial not just to Filipino wage-earners but also to the Philippine economy.

Answer: ______Explanation: ______

3. In this paper, I will explore the different effects, both positive and negative, of wearing school uniforms in universities and colleges.

4. President Rodrigo Duterte is the best president in Philippine history.

5. As of April 2020, there were more than 125,000 Filipinos who violated the enhanced community quarantine in the Philippines.

Activity 7: Say It!

Directions: Write your own thesis statement on the topic below. Make sure that the thesis statement is strong following the key elements of an effective thesis statement.

Topic: Ban on Motorcycle Backriding

Thesis Statement: ______

Great job! You did pretty well in accomplishing the activities given to you.

What I Have Learned

You are in the right track! Now, answer these few questions to check whether you have learned the essential ideas about thesis statements. Activity 8: Syn-THESIS Direction: Write your answer in the spaces below. 1. What is thesis statement? ______

______2. What makes a strong thesis statement? ______

What I Can Do

Be excited and be ready as we discover and carry out the next activities. Keep going on! Activity 9: Thesis Making Directions: Make a strong thesis statement based on the given situation and supports. Kindly check the sample below: Example: Situation: You won in a raffle draw and you were given a chance to choose any tourist destination you would like to visit. Write about your dream place and explain why you would like to go there. Supports: a. Palawan is a home to beautiful coral reefs and stunning beaches. b. It is the best place for scuba diving and snorkeling. c. The people in Palawan are friendly. Thesis Statement: With stunning beaches and coral reefs, friendly people and a place for exciting water activities, Palawan is the best place to relieve stress from the bustling noise of a city. 1. Situation: Your friend from South Korea is looking for a place where he can spend his summer vacation with his family. Supports: a. Philippines has many pristine beaches, and hot and cold springs. b. Filipinos are warm, hospitable, and generous. c. The travel and food expenses in the country are affordable. Thesis Statement: ______2. Situation: Your little brother is asking for help in his report on the positive and negative effects of smartphones on children. Supports: a. Smartphones can be used for communication, anywhere, anytime. b. Smartphones may cause mental health such as depression. c. Smartphones may damage eyes and natural sleep cycle. Thesis Statement: ______

Direction: Supply the correct word from the Word Bank to complete the statements below. WORD BANK

road map strong thesis anywhere stand main idea inductive deductive implicit broad specific explicit fact weak evidence

1.) A thesis statement expresses the ______of an academic text.

2.) A thesis statement serves as a/an ______of a paper.

3.) Thesis statements should never be a/an ______because it’s not debatable and does not clearly state the author’s claim on an issue.

4.) A strong thesis statement should take a/an ______on a topic.

5.) To keep the paper manageable, the thesis statement should be ______.

6.) A thesis statement should not be too ______to avoid vague and confusing claims.

7.) A thesis statement is located ______in an academic text.

8.) To support the author’s claim, the writer must provide ______in a form of facts, surveys or reports.

9.) If a thesis statement is stated at the beginning of an academic text, followed by supporting details, it is said that ideas are organized in ______order.

10.) However, if a thesis statement is presented after its supporting details, then ideas are arranged in ______order. 11.) ______thesis statements clearly and directly express the main idea of a text while (12.) ______thesis statements do not. 13.) A ______thesis statement is arguable, debatable or argumentative. 14.) A ______thesis statement is written in a form of phrase, question or announcement. 15.) Without a ______, an academic text is unfocused and unclear.

Additional Activities

Congratulations! You’ve come this far. I know you’ve learned a lot about stating and developing thesis statements. Now, let us do these additional tasks. Activity 11: Make Me a Hamburger

Directions: Below is a graphic organizer that will help you present your ideas and thesis on an issue. Using this hamburger chart, please provide three evidences/supports and develop a thesis statement about any timely issue around you.

Topic:______

______Evidence:______

______Evidence:______Evidence:______

Thesis Statement:______

Activity 11: K-W-L Chart

Directions: Let us go back to our first activity and fill out the third column of our K- W-L Chart. Write what you’ve learned in this module.

What I Know What I Want to What I Learned Know

a 5. d 5. F 5.

b 4. T 4. b 4.

b 3. T 3. c 3.

c 2. F 2. b 2.

d 1. T 1. a 1.

Test - Pre 1 Activity 4 Activity

implicit 12.

explicit 11.

inductive 10.

deductive 9.

evidence 8.

anywhere 7.

W 5. specific 5.

W 4. stand 4.

W 3. fact 3.

S 2. map road 2.

W 1. idea main 1.

Book Sources Laurel, M. M., Lucero, A.F, Bumatay –Cruz, R.T (2016). English for Academic and Professional Purposes Reader. Quezon City , Philippines. Department of Education. Saqueton, G. and Uychoco M.T. (2016) English for Academic and Professional Purposes. Rex Bookstore. pp. 23-28

Online Sources https://www.uccs.edu/~writingcenter https://www.ebsco.com/sites/g/files/nabnos191/files/acquiadam-assets/Thesis- Statements-Handout https://www.lcps.org/cms/lib4/VA01000195/Centricity/Domain/2532/WritingTh esis-Statements

DISCLAIMER This Self-learning Module (SLM) was developed by DepEd SOCCSKSARGEN with the primary objective of preparing for and addressing the new normal. Contents of this module were based on DepEd’s Most Essential Learning Competencies (MELC). This is a supplementary material to be used by all learners of Region XII in all public schools beginning SY 2020-2021. The process of LR development was observed in the production of this module. This is version 1.0. We highly encourage feedback, comments, and recommendations.

For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:

Department of Education – SOCCSKSARGEN Learning Resource Management System (LRMS)

Regional Center, Brgy. Carpenter Hill, City of Koronadal

Telefax No.: (083) 2288825/ (083) 2281893

Email Address: [email protected]

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 Thesis Statements

What is a thesis statement?

• A thesis is the main idea of your essay and includes your stance (opinion).
• A good thesis statement will direct the structure of your essay and will allow the reader to understand the ideas to be discussed within your paper.
• A thesis is usually stated in the opening paragraphs of a paper, most often in the last sentences of the introduction.
• Overall, a thesis should include the words from the essay question (if given one) , the key topics in the main body of the essay and your stance (opinion).

Thesis Statement Video

A short 7-minute video on what a thesis statement is and the key components of a thesis statement.

Thesis Statements: How to write a thesis statement

This lesson / worksheet presents the key sections to an academic introduction. It focuses on different writing structures using words like however, although, despite and then includes a writing task. Students write three thesis statements using the introduction models.  Example   Level: ** *** [B1/B2/C1]   / TEACHER MEMBERSHIP  / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP

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An introduction structure with a thesis statement.

An introduction example on CSR  

Thesis Statement Writing Structures

Notice the different structures and grammar

Thesis statement (Although): Although it may not always be possible for every business to focus on CSR due to financial limitations, it should be a top priority for SMEs andlarge corporations if they want to improve their reputation, attract investment and maximise profitability.

Thesis statement (However):   It may not always be possible for every business to focus on CSR due to financial limitations. However, it should be a top priority for SMEs and large corporations if they want to improve their reputation, attract investment and maximise profitability.

Thesis statement (Despite) :  Despite not always being possible for every business to focus on CSR due to financial limitations, it should be a top priority for SMEs and large corporations if they want to improve their reputation, attract investment and maximise profitability.

Thesis + outline combined

Thesis Statements: How to write a thesis statement  

Introductions: How to write an academic introduction

This lesson / worksheet presents the key sections to an academic introduction. It then focuses on highlighting those key sections in three model introductions with particular attention to the thesis (question / topics / stance) and finally finishes with writing an introduction using a range of titles.  Example   Level: ** *** [B1/B2/C1]    / Website link / TEACHER MEMBERSHIP  / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP

A Thesis Statement Generator

Click on the picture – this will take you to an online thesis statement generator – here

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5.22: Text- How to Write a Thesis Statement

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Whether you are writing a short essay or a doctoral dissertation, your thesis statement will arguably be the most difficult sentence to formulate. An effective thesis statement states the purpose of the paper and, therefore, functions to control, assert and structure your entire argument . Without a sound thesis, your argument may sound weak, lacking in direction, and uninteresting to the reader.

Start with a question — then make the answer your thesis

Regardless of how complicated the subject is, almost any thesis can be constructed by answering a question.

• Thesis: “Computers allow fourth graders an early advantage in technological and scientific education.”
• Thesis: “The river comes to symbolize both division and progress, as it separates our characters and country while still providing the best chance for Huck and Jim to get to know one another.”
• Thesis: “Through careful sociological study, we’ve found that people naturally assume that “morally righteous” people look down on them as “inferior,” causing anger and conflict where there generally is none.”

Tailor your thesis to the type of paper you’re writing

N ot all essays persuade, and not all essays teach. The goals of your paper will help you find the best thesis.

• Ex. “This dynamic between different generations sparks much of the play’s tension, as age becomes a motive for the violence and unrest that rocks King Lear.”
• Ex. “The explosion of 1800’s philosophies like Positivism, Marxism, and Darwinism undermined and refuted Christianity to instead focus on the real, tangible world.”
• Ex. “Without the steady hand and specific decisions of Barack Obama, America would never have recovered from the hole it entered in the early 2000’s.”

Ensure your thesis is provable

Good Theses Examples:

• “By owning up to the impossible contradictions, embracing them and questioning them, Blake forges his own faith, and is stronger for it. Ultimately, the only way for his poems to have faith is to temporarily lose it.”
• “According to its well-documented beliefs and philosophies, an existential society with no notion of either past or future cannot help but become stagnant.”
• “By reading “Ode to a Nightingale” through a modern deconstructionist lens, we can see how Keats viewed poetry as shifting and subjective, not some rigid form.”

Bad Theses Examples:

• “The wrong people won the American Revolution.” While striking and unique, who is “right” and who is “wrong” is exceptionally hard to prove, and very subjective.
• “The theory of genetic inheritance is the binding theory of every human interaction.” Too complicated and overzealous. The scope of “every human interaction” is just too big
• “Paul Harding’s novel Tinkers is ultimately a cry for help from a clearly depressed author.” Unless you interviewed Harding extensively, or had a lot of real-life sources, you have no way of proving what is fact and what is fiction.”

Get the sound right

Example thesis statements with good statement language include:

• “Because of William the Conqueror’s campaign into England, that nation developed the strength and culture it would need to eventually build the British Empire.”
• “Hemingway significantly changed literature by normalizing simplistic writing and frank tone.”

Know where to place a thesis statement

Because of the role thesis statements play, they appear at the beginning of the paper, usually at the end of the first paragraph or somewhere in the introduction. Although most people look for the thesis at the end of the first paragraph, its location can depend on a number of factors such as how lengthy of an introduction you need before you can introduce your thesis or the length of your paper.

Limit a thesis statement to one or two sentences in length

Thesis statements are clear and to the point, which helps the reader identify the topic and direction of the paper, as well as your position towards the subject.

• Revision and Adaptation. Provided by : Lumen Learning. License : CC BY-NC-SA: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
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