Thesis Statements & Topic Sentences

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 5

Essay Writing

Thesis Statements and Topic Sentence

Lesson Goals

• You can explain what a Thesis Statement is and what its place is in essay Writing.
• You can explain what a Topic Sentence is and its importance in writing cohesive texts.
• You can construct a Thesis Statment on the basis of a topic, position and evidence
• You can construct a Topic Sentence out of a topic and a central point.

Argumentative Thesis Statement

1. Mention the main topic of your paper.
2. Take a position and state your argument.
3. Summarize the evidence you'll use to support your argument. 

Example Thesis Statements

Corporations should provide more work from home opportunities and six-hour workdays so that office workers have a better work-life balance and are more likely to be productive when they are in the office.

Although Taylor Swift's lyrics are indicative of a feminist perspective, she should be more politically active and vocal to use her position of power for the betterment of society.

Try it yourself

Take a look at the Thesis statement you wrote for your outline.

See if it conforms to the criteria we just discussed and adjust it as needed.

Topic Sentences

1. Topic of the paragraph
2. Central point of the paragraph

Example of Topic Sentences

Corporations should provide more work from home opportunities and six-hour workdays so that office workers have a better work-life balance and are more likely to be productive when they are in the office.

1. One of the main benefits of working shorter days is that the workers are able to have a better balance between their personal and professional life.
2. In addition, working shorter days, or from home, makes workers more productive in the time that they are in the office.

Try it yourself

Take a look at the Topic Sentences you wrote for your outline.

See if it conforms to the criteria we just discussed and adjust it as needed.

First Draft

Now that you have completely filled in your Outline and found sources, it is time to start writing your first draft.

Your essay should be between 600 and a 1000 words.

It should contain at least the following parts:

Introduction + Thesis Statement

3 body paragraphs with their own arguments.

Conclusion

Bibliography

Lesson Goals Review

• You can explain what a Thesis Statement is and what its place is in essay Writing.
• You can explain what a Topic Sentence is and its importance in writing cohesive texts.
• You can construct a Thesis Statment on the basis of a topic, position and evidence.
• You can construct a Topic Sentence out of a topic and a central point.

Please fill in the questionnaire on Its Learning about this class.