Introduction Thesis

Main

Ideas Supporting Ideas Transitional Words and Phrases Conclusion

 Background Narrative Quotation Dramatic

about a topic

statistics/facts Shocking statement Questions that lead to the thesis

 THIS

IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF YOUR ESSAY!!! THE THESIS ADDRESSES THE PROMPT THE THESIS TELLS THE AUDIENCE WHAT YOUR ENTIRE ESSAY IS ABOUT THE THESIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT IDEA OF YOUR ESSAY

A good thesis statement gives the reader some hint about what you will say about the topic.
Weak Thesis: Mahatma Gandhi was an

interesting man. Good Thesis: Mahatma Gandhi was a person of contradictions. Weak Thesis: Television is a total waste of time. Good Thesis: Parents should choose appropriate, educational television shows for their children to watch.

A good thesis statement presents your opinion about the topic and is not just a fact or an observation.
Weak Thesis: London is the capital of

England. Good Thesis: For tourists interested in British history, London is an ideal travel destination. Weak Thesis: Many movies today are violent. Good Thesis: The violence in movies today makes children less sensitive to other peoples suffering.

A good thesis statement is written as a complete statement.

Weak Thesis: Should something be done

about bad drivers? Good Thesis: Bad drivers should have to take a driving course before being allowed to drive again. Weak Thesis: There is a problem with the information on the Internet. Good Thesis: To make sure information found on the internet is valid, computer users must make sure the sources of the information are credible.

A good thesis statement does not formally announce what your opinion about the topic is.
Weak Thesis: In my paper, I will write about

whether schools should require uniforms. Good Thesis: Public schools should not require uniforms. Weak Thesis: The subject of this essay is drug testing. Good Thesis: Drug testing is needed for all professional athletes.

NEVER

WRITE I THINK or I BELIEVE or I.. IN YOUR THESIS STATEMENT

 Usually,

each main idea is its own paragraph. TOPIC SENTENCE The topic sentence is at the beginning of the paragraph. The topic sentence introduces the main idea of that paragraph. Think of the topic sentence as a MINI THESIS STATEMENT.

Supporting ideas help to convince your reader that your main idea is a good one. Back up your main ideas by using:

Evidence Examples

Stories
Facts/numbers/data Logic

Quotations
Argument and counter argument And more

Use transitional words and phrases to take the reader from one idea to the next. Transitional words and phrases give the reader an idea of the relationships between the various ideas and supporting points. They also help to show the relationship between sentences. They make your essay FLOW!

 The

concluding paragraph is separate from the other paragraphs and brings closure to the essay. It discusses the importance of your ideas. It restates the thesis with fresh wording. It sums up the main idea of the paper.

 The

conclusion can: Include a provocative or memorable quotation. Make a prediction or suggestion. Leave the reader with something to think about