4A1 - Thesis statement

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 4

Welcome!

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 your argumentative essay have?

Argumentative essay

Your argumentative essay will have 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 

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 person (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 

A thesis statement is used to

1. end my essay
2. claim and reason in my intro
3. tell what I am going to discuss
4. the third paragraph

Do you include the counterargument in the thesis statement?

1. Yes
2. No

A thesis statement can express my personal opinion.

1. True
2. False

A thesis statement can have a question mark at the end.

1. True
2. False

Is this a thesis statement?
Al Capone, the Chicago gang leader, was nicknamed ‘Scarface’.

1. Yes
2. No

A thesis statement is:

1. a complete paragraph
2. a list of statistics
3. one sentence with the essence of my argument
4. repeating the question

A thesis statement is a complete sentence. A thesis statement is not a question.

Which of these is a thesis statement?

1. Knowing a foreign language.
2. Why should people know a foreign language?
3. Knowing a foreign language is a very useful skill. It can help one advance in a career, relate better to others, and open one's mind to the ideas of another culture.

Strong thesis statements take a position

1. true
2. false

What is the form of your thesis statement?

1. key point 2 + key point 1 + opinion
2. key point 1 + key point 2
3. opinion + key point 1 + key point 2
4. key point 1 + opinion+ key point 2

Create a thesis statement based on the following information.
Education is important to have.
Supports:
1. It could enable one to get a better-paying job.
2. It makes a person a more interesting individual.
3. It makes a person a more informed citizen.

Improve one of these thesis statements:
Marvel is better than DC
Farmers are idiots
Literature is useless

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