Creating Thesis Statements

• Thesis statements are sentences writers use to focus on their ideas.
• Thesis statements sentences writers use to express the main point of their writing.

Identification Checklists

• Sentences can be:
  • Too broad
  • Too Narrow
    • Indicated by (TB/TN)
  • Announce the topic
    • Indicated by (A)
  • Incomplete ideas
    • Indicated by (INC)
  • Can be fine as they are
    • Indicated by (OK)
• A thesis statement is one or two sentences near the beginning of an essay.
• Thesis statements sum up the essay's topic and its significance.
• Thesis statements keep essays focused.
• Thesis statements give the reader a roadmap of the essay.
• Thesis statements inform readers what to expect in the essay.

Start with a Question

• Every good essay begins with a question.
• Thesis statements are a one-to-two-sentence answer to that question.
• An example topic is compulsory voting
• An example question is "Should voting be compulsory in Canada?"

Answering the "So What?" Question

• A thesis statement should answer the "So what?" question, explaining the topic's importance.
• For example: Should voting be compulsory in Canada?
• Answer: No, voting should not be compulsory in Canada as people may not be informed/care about who they vote for.

Being Specific

• Thesis statements need to be what the writing will be about
• Thesis statements needs to relate to what the rest of the essay will include.
• Example: Voting should not be compulsory in Canada because people who don't care about politics will make uninformed votes, candidates may bribe citizens, and campaigns will become more inflammatory/corrupt.

Strong Thesis Statement Tips

• Take a stand and don't just state facts.
• A good thesis statement should have a dependent (subordinate) clause.
• Thesis statements should be a max of two sentences.
• Place your thesis statement at the beginning or end of the introduction.

Examples of good thesis statements

• The Food and Drug Act of 1906 allowed the federal government to regulate food and medication labeling, demonstrating a prioritization of human life over profit and paving the way for later food safety laws.
• From the ancient Sumerians to modern scientists, selective breeding is a powerful tool used to create hardier food supplies and improve animal quality of life.
• Banana Herb Tea Supplement promotes rapid weight loss that results in the loss of muscle and lean body mass, thus posing a potential danger to customers.
• Many Iranian families view consanguineal marriage as helpful in reinforcing kinship ties in an extended family, while most American families would view it as a threat to the nuclear family structure.
• Companies should exploit the potential of the Internet by using Web pages that offer both advertising and customer support because it is filled with tremendous marketing potential.
• Hunger persists in Glandelinia, as jobs are scarce and farming in the infertile soil is rarely profitable.
• Because half of all American elementary school children consume nine times the recommended daily allowance of sugar, schools should replace the beverages in soda machines with healthy alternatives.

Problems with Thesis Statements

• Thesis statements can be too broad if they don't offer a specific argument or focus.
• Vague thesis statements lack specific details and don't explain why something is important.
• Thesis statements can be statements of fact if they are not controversial.
• Thesis statements may be overly broad if they don't offer a specific argument analysis.
• Thesis statements may simply state the purpose, without offering a claim.

Example of a Too Broad Thesis Statement

• "Global warming is a serious problem" requires more specific detail.
• Government policies to reduce carbon emissions, such as tax credits and renewable energy subsidies, have significantly impacted the global economy and the environment.

Example of Vague Thesis Statement

• "I believe that eating healthy is important" lacks specific details.
• A Mediterranean diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats can lower the risk of heart disease and improve overall well-being.

Example of Statement of fact

• "Hospitals should employ nurses" doesn't offer a point of view or argument to be debatable.
• "Hospitals should prioritize the mental health support of their nursing staff, as burnout and stress can negatively impact patient care" is a better alternative as it presents a more specific and arguable point.

Example of Overly Broad Thesis Statement

• The book To Kill a Mockingbird is good lacks specific argument analysis.
• In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee uses the character of Boo Radley to explore themes of prejudice and understanding, highlighting the impact of ignorance is a better alternative as it presents a more specific and arguable point.

Example of a Statement that Simply States the Purpose

• "This paper will explain why technology is changing the world" simply states what the paper will do and doesn't offer a claim or argument.
• The rise of artificial intelligence is transforming industries by automating tasks, creating new job roles, and increasing the efficiency of complex processes is a better alternative as it presents a more specific and arguable point.