EAPP Unit 2 Lesson 1: What is a Thesis Statement PDF

Unit 2: Thesis Statements and Outlining Lesson 1 What Is a Thesis Statement? English for Academic and Professional Purposes Senior High School Applied - Academic For our papers to be convincing, we must first define our stand concretely. How do we write a strong thesis statement? ENGAG EXPLO...

Unit 2: Thesis Statements and Outlining Lesson 1 What Is a Thesis Statement? English for Academic and Professional Purposes Senior High School Applied - Academic For our papers to be convincing, we must first define our stand concretely. How do we write a strong thesis statement? ENGAG EXPLO EXPLAI EXTEN EVALUA 2 Learning Objective Identify the characteristics of a s thesis statement. At the end of the lesson, you Write a strong thesis statement. should be able to do the following: ENGAG EXPLO EXPLAI EXTEN EVALUA 3  1. What should be considered when formulating a working Essential thesis statement? Questions 2. Why must a thesis statement be open to debate? ENGAG EXPLO EXPLAI EXTEN EVALUA 4  The Thesis Statement In the introductory paragraph of your paper, you should state your stand on an issue or question in one sentence. This sentence is called a thesis statement. Your main idea will dictate the flow of the rest of your paper. ENGAG EXPLO EXPLAI EXTEN EVALUA 5 The Thesis Statement Characteristics of a thesis statement: It shows your stand on an issue. It answers a question. It makes a claim that can be disputed. It is a single sentence at the start of your paper that presents your argument to the readers. ENGAG EXPLO EXPLAI EXTEN EVALUA 6 The Thesis Statement Keywords that signal a need for a thesis statement: analyze interpret compare and contrast show causes and effects choose a side or stand on an issue ENGAG EXPLO EXPLAI EXTEN EVALUA 7  How to Write a Thesis Formulating Statement a thesis is not the first thing you do upon receiving an assignment or task. A thesis must be the result of a long process of thinking and planning. Before you can develop any kind of thesis, you must first do your research on the topic. ENGAG EXPLO EXPLAI EXTEN EVALUA 8 How to Write a Thesis Statement Look for information and evidence, then organize them based on the points they make. Look for possible relationships between pieces of information. Analyze and find the significance of these relationships. ENGAG EXPLO EXPLAI EXTEN EVALUA 9 How to Write a Thesis Statement Afterward, you will most likely be able to come up with a “working thesis” that has a basic main idea. It’s okay if your thesis and your arguments might need adjustments along the way. ENGAG EXPLO EXPLAI EXTEN EVALUA 10 How to Write a Thesis Statement What matters is that you can find substantial evidence to support a more concrete thesis, even if you had to adjust from time to time. ENGAG EXPLO EXPLAI EXTEN EVALUA 11 How to Write a Thesis Statement Example 1 Given the following question: Should the SOGIE Bill be passed in the Philippines? Simple thesis statement: “I believe the SOGIE Bill should be passed.” Improved thesis statement: “I believe the SOGIE Bill should be passed because it ensures that all basic human rights are available to all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender expression.” ENGAG EXPLO EXPLAI EXTEN EVALUA 12 Tips Make your thesis statement as specific as possible by doing the following: expressing just one major idea naming the topic and asserting something specific about it stating your position or opinion about the issue 13 How to Write a Thesis Statement Example 2 Given the assignment: Analyze the state of traffic in Quezon City and propose a possible solution for it. Do initial research and observations on the road conditions. Possible thesis statement: A possible solution to the traffic situation in Quezon City is to set up carpooling systems in the most densely populated communities and outside large company buildings. ENGAG EXPLO EXPLAI EXTEN EVALUA 14 Remember Make use of the thesis statement to take a stance on an issue that you can support with facts and reasons. 15  Writing Strong Thesis Statements It is always a good idea to consult with your instructor regarding your thesis statements in order to get some feedback. It is also possible to do your own evaluation so that you yourself can fine- tune the thesis statement you have written. ENGAG EXPLO EXPLAI EXTEN EVALUA 16 Writing Strong Thesis Statements Am I answering the question? Review the question prompt and your thesis statement. Have I taken a position that can possibly be disputed by others? Your thesis has to be persuasive and yet open to opposition. It must not simply be ENGAG stating facts.EXPLAI EXPLO EXTEN EVALUA 17 Writing Strong Thesis Statements Is my thesis statement specific enough? Avoid using vague words such as “good” or “successful” and try being more specific. Does my thesis statement pass the “So what?” test? If a reader looks at your thesis statement and asks, “So what?” then you might need to make some clarifications, provide a deeper relationship, or connect to a more relevant issue. ENGAG EXPLO EXPLAI EXTEN EVALUA 18 Writing Strong Thesis Statements Does the rest of my essay specifically and concretely support my thesis statement? You may sometimes have to modify your thesis statement during the process of writing in order to reflect any newfound knowledge. ENGAG EXPLO EXPLAI EXTEN EVALUA 19 Writing Strong Thesis Statements Does my thesis statement pass the “How and why?” test? If your thesis statement is still too open-ended, add a supporting statement that will clarify your position and strengthen your stance. ENGAG EXPLO EXPLAI EXTEN EVALUA 20 Remember A good thesis statement is supported with facts and achieved through hours of research. Creating an initial statement and developing it to be more specific is an excellent way to start your research. 21 Writing Strong Thesis Statements Example 1 Given the following question: Are the use of metal straws instead of plastic straws helpful in saving the environment? If you write a thesis statement based on stock knowledge and without initial research, you might be inclined to write: Using metal straws instead of plastic straws is an effective way to reduce the amount of waste in the country. ENGAG EXPLO EXPLAI EXTEN EVALUA 22 Writing Strong Thesis Statements It is a thesis statement with a clear stand, however remember to avoid vague words such as “effective.” Be more concrete in your stance. Research why it is effective and add it to your thesis statement. ENGAG EXPLO EXPLAI EXTEN EVALUA 23 Writing Strong Thesis Statements Then, during your research, you could find evidence that shows your initial working thesis should be modified. You can still change your thesis to be more concrete and also more supported by the evidence you have found. Metal straws are a band-aid solution to the problem of global warming because in mass-producing metal straws for people to use, large companies continue to emit dangerous amounts of CO2 into the environment. ENGAG EXPLO EXPLAI EXTEN EVALUA 24 Writing Strong Thesis Statements In your research, you have found a more significant issue to connect to the use of metal straws and have found convincing evidence on it, so you have shifted the direction of your thesis statement. You have also made your thesis statement more specific, and you have made your stance clearer in the process. ENGAG EXPLO EXPLAI EXTEN EVALUA 25 Writing Strong Thesis Statements Example 2 It is important to take note that you should avoid using jargon or language that is too specific to the topic or discipline, as this will make it unclear for your readers. For example: Quarantine and social distancing are effective in fighting COVID-19 ENGAG EXPLO because EXPLAI they EXTEN flatten EVALUAthe curve. 26 Writing Strong Thesis Statements While the thesis statement makes a clear stand, its reasoning could be unclear to readers who are not familiar with the term “flattening the curve.” A better thesis statement would be: Quarantine and social distancing are effective in fighting COVID-19 because they slow down the rate at which people get infected with the virus. ENGAG EXPLO EXPLAI EXTEN EVALUA 27 Writing Strong Thesis Statements The jargon used earlier is replaced with a much clearer statement that can be backed up by data and also disputed. ENGAG EXPLO EXPLAI EXTEN EVALUA 28 Writing Strong Thesis Statements Technical language and jargon can be used in the different parts of the paper, as long as they are relevant and explained to the readers. Avoid using them in thesis statements because they will confuse the readers as to what your main idea is. ENGAG EXPLO EXPLAI EXTEN EVALUA 29 Writing Strong Thesis Statements It can also make the thesis statement too lengthy and therefore harder to understand. ENGAG EXPLO EXPLAI EXTEN EVALUA 30 1. Read the thesis statement in the next slide. 2. Based on the topic being discussed in the thesis statement, strengthen the thesis statement and write an introductory paragraph based on your preliminary research. ENGAG EXPLO EXPLAI EXTEN EVALUA 31 Plastic wastes thrown in large bodies of water is bad for the environment. ENGAG EXPLO EXPLAI EXTEN EVALUA 32  Questions 1. What does it mean when your thesis statement is a “working thesis”? 2. What should your thesis statement respond to in order for it to be more effective? ENGAG EXPLO EXPLAI EXTEN EVALUA 33 Question What can you do if in the middle of writing your research paper you realize that the data you are using is beginning to contradict your initial thesis statement? ENGAG EXPLO EXPLAI EXTEN EVALUA 34  Wrap Up The thesis statement is a single sentence usually found in the introductory paragraph of a paper that states the main idea and position of the writer. 35  Wrap Up The thesis statement is a product of a long thinking and researching process. Consultation and self- evaluation are important in order to develop a stronger thesis statement. 36  Bibliography “Creating a Thesis Statement, Thesis Statement Tips.” Purdue Writing Lab. Accessed February 21, 2020. https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/the_writing_process/thesis _statement_tips.html. Thesis Statements. The Writing Center. Accessed February 21, 2020. https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/thesis-statements/. Vos, Lesley. “How to Write a Strong Thesis Statement for Your Essay.” Bid4papers, October 31, 2019. https://bid4papers.com/blog/thesis-statement/. “Writing a Thesis Statement.” Ashford Writing Center. Accessed February 21, 2020. https://writingcenter.ashford.edu/writing-a-thesis. “Writing Tips: Thesis Statements.” Center for Writing Studies. Accessed February 21, 2020. http://www.cws.illinois.edu/workshop/writers/tips/thesis/. 37