4A1 - Thesis statement

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 4

Welcome 4A1!

Please sanitize your hands and table, take your seat, and take out your writing reader!

Lesson plan

1. Recap of introduction to essay writing

2. Theory on thesis statement

3. Exercise on thesis statement

Goal: At the end of class, you can construct a thesis statement, and you can plan the body of your argumentative essay. 

What is the goal of an argumentative essay?

Argumentative essay

The goal of an argumentative essay is to convince / to persuade your reader that your opinion on a controversial topic is the correct one. 

How many paragraphs should an argumentative essay have?

Argumentative essay

An argumentative essay has five paragraphs: an introduction, a three body paragraphs and a conclusion.

What four elements does the introduction to an argumentative essay have?

Argumentative essay

The introduction to an argumentative essay has four required elements: 

1. A hook or attention grabber
2. Some background information
3. A thesis
4. A road map 

What three ways are there to provide structure in your essay?

Argumentative essay

You can provide structure in your essay using the following means:

1. Repetition

2. Signal words

3. Linking words

How many arguments and counterarguments should you provide in support of your thesis?

Argumentative essay

In a five-paragraph argumentative essay, you should provide 2 arguments in support of your thesis, and 1 argument against your thesis. You should always refute your counterargument! (counts as another argument in favour of thesis)

Thesis statement

The thesis statement is divided into two parts: your opinion, and your reasons.​

• Your opinion forms the thesis, and is a summary of the main argument of your essay. ​ 
• Your reasons form the road map, the arguments you'll put forth to support your opinion. ​​

Each supporting argument forms the basis of the topic sentences in the body of the essay. ​

Thesis statement

Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are the best type of sandwich because they are versatile, easy to make, and taste good.

What is the thesis?

What is the road map? 

Thesis statement

Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are the best type of sandwich 

= YOUR OPINION = YOUR THESIS

because they are versatile, easy to make, and taste good

= YOUR REASONS / ARGUMENTS = YOUR ROAD MAP

Thesis statement

Students should have a part-time job during high school because it helps build character, teaches financial responsibility and prepares them for the future.  

What is the thesis?

What is the road map?

Thesis statement

Students should have a part-time job during high school 

= YOUR OPINION = YOUR THESIS

because it helps build character, teaches financial responsibility and prepares them for the future.

= YOUR REASONS / ARGUMENTS = YOUR ROAD MAP  

Thesis statement

1. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are the best type of sandwich because they are versatile, easy to make, and taste good.

2. Students should have a part-time job during high school because it helps build character, teaches financial responsibility and prepares them for the future.  

Thesis statement

• Thesis statement: 1 or 2 sentences
• Thesis and road map are linked with a linking word: 'because' / That is why'
• Thesis statement is written in the third peron (it is your opinion, but state it as a fact. No 'I think' or 'in my opinion')
• Use strong and definitive language

            Modals: should, must, have to ​
            Comparatives or superlatives 

Thesis statement to topic sentences

When writing an argumentative essay, always start with your thesis.​ Then come up with a list of 2 arguments. ​

You can choose to immediately write the road map, or you can do that at the end. Either way, it must be included!​

​

Then turn these arguments into small topic sentences (small theses): the first sentence of the paragraph that expresses its main idea. In your topic sentences, include reference to the number of the argument.​  (The first reason why …​  / In the second place ...​)

Assignment

Take out the short newspaper article that you had to bring for today, and do the following:

1. Write a thesis

2. Come up with 2 arguments in favour of your thesis

3. Write a road map

4. Write 2 topic sentences. 

What two elements does a thesis statement consist of?

What is a road map?

What kind of language should you use in your thesis statement?

What is a topic sentence, and where do you put it?

Homework

Tuesday the 17th of November

• Study the theory on present simple vs. present continuous + present perfect vs. past simple
• Do the assignments and hand them in via ELO.

Monday the 23rd of November

• Study Chapter on thesis statement + notes
• Bring writing reader to class
• Bring article + thesis + road map to class