Wordiness standardactivityscreen [USEMAP] Thesis Statements MENU EXIT [USEMAP] Continue… A thesis statement contains the main idea or message of a composition. [USEMAP] Wordiness standardactivityscreenwithprevious [USEMAP] MENU EXIT To find the thesis, look for the sentence that best explains what the essay will be about. Which sentence in this paragraph provides that information? The eruption of the volcano Vesuvius in A.D. 79 resulted in a perfectly preserved moment in history. Tragically, about 2,000 inhabitants died when the volcano erupted. Their homes were buried under volcanic ash, which preserved the artifacts and details of their daily lives. [USEMAP] PREVIOUS [USEMAP] Click to see the essay topic [USEMAP] Thesis Statements A thesis statement contains the main idea or message of a composition. Wordiness standardactivityscreenwithprevious [USEMAP] MENU EXIT This is the thesis sentence. It indicates the topic of the essay and the writer’s opinion about that topic. [USEMAP] The eruption of the volcano Vesuvius in A.D. 79 resulted in a perfectly preserved moment in history. Tragically, about 2,000 inhabitants died when the volcano erupted. Their homes were buried under volcanic ash, which preserved the artifacts and details of their daily lives. PREVIOUS [USEMAP] Next [USEMAP] Thesis Statements A thesis statement contains the main idea or message of a composition. Wordiness standardactivityscreenwithprevious A successful thesis statement [USEMAP] PREVIOUS MENU EXIT [USEMAP] Next •is usually one sentence •is a statement, not a question •identifies the subject of the essay or composition •takes a stand rather than simply announcing a subject •is narrow and specific enough to be fully supported A thesis statement may also preview the main ideas of the essay and set the tone. [USEMAP] Thesis Statements Wordiness standardactivityscreenwithprevious Which of these sentences are successful thesis statements? Wolves have an impressive variety of communication abilities, including visual signals with ears and tails and howling and other vocalizations. Each wolf pack is led by two individuals. Today, because of habitat destruction and excessive hunting, wolves live in only a portion of their former range. Wolves have an interesting history. [USEMAP] PREVIOUS MENU EXIT Thesis Statements [USEMAP] Click to see successful thesis statements [USEMAP] Wordiness standardactivityscreenwithprevious [USEMAP] PREVIOUS MENU EXIT Thesis Statements i i Wolves have an impressive variety of communication abilities, including visual signals with ears and tails and howling and other vocalizations. Each wolf pack is led by two individuals. Today, because of habitat destruction and excessive hunting, wolves live in only a portion of their former range. Wolves have an interesting history. These two thesis statements are successful because they express specific ideas and suggest the direction the essay will take. [USEMAP] [USEMAP] Next [USEMAP] Wordiness standardactivityscreenwithprevious [USEMAP] Thesis Statements MENU EXIT [USEMAP] Continue… When you revise your writing, be sure your thesis statement is as strong as it should be. [USEMAP] PREVIOUS Wordiness standardinstructionscreen When you write thesis sentences, you should avoid the following common errors. Click on the error you want to explore. [USEMAP] MENU EXIT [USEMAP] MENU [USEMAP] Thesis Statements When you revise your writing, be sure your thesis statement is as strong as it should be. [USEMAP] •Simple statements of fact [USEMAP] •Simple announcements [USEMAP] •Broad, general opinions Wordiness standardactivityscreen [USEMAP] MENU EXIT Simple Statements of Fact Statements of fact cannot be thesis statements because they do not take a position or suggest a direction for the writing. Thesis Statements [USEMAP] Continue… [USEMAP] Wordiness standardactivityscreenwithprevious [USEMAP] MENU EXIT Simple Statements of Fact How would you change this statement of fact into a thesis? The pioneers on the Oregon trail faced many hardships. [USEMAP] Click to see a revision [USEMAP] Thesis Statements PREVIOUS Statements of fact cannot be thesis statements because they do not take a position or suggest a direction for the writing. Wordiness standardactivityscreenwithprevious [USEMAP] MENU EXIT Simple Statements of Fact The revised thesis expresses an opinion about the topic, rather than just stating a fact. It also previews the main ideas of the essay. The pioneers on the Oregon Trail faced many hardships. ORIGINAL REVISED The pioneers on the Oregon Trail bravely faced many hardships, including disease, terrible weather, accidents, hunger, and thirst. [USEMAP] [USEMAP] Menu [USEMAP] Thesis Statements PREVIOUS Statements of fact cannot be thesis statements because they do not take a position or suggest a direction for the writing. Wordiness standardactivityscreen [USEMAP] MENU EXIT Simple Announcements A simple announcement doesn’t express a point of view or preview the main ideas of the composition. Thesis Statements [USEMAP] Continue… [USEMAP] Wordiness standardactivityscreenwithprevious [USEMAP] MENU EXIT Simple Announcements How would you rewrite this statement to make it an effective thesis? In the following paper, I am going to write about impressionist painting. [USEMAP] Click to see a revision [USEMAP] Thesis Statements PREVIOUS A simple announcement doesn’t express a point of view or preview the main ideas of the composition. Wordiness standardactivityscreenwithprevious [USEMAP] MENU EXIT Simple Announcements This revised thesis expresses a point of view and previews the main ideas. It does not mention the paper and avoids the first person reference. Two of the greatest techniques developed by impressionist painters were loose brushwork and the use of brilliant color. Thesis Statements [USEMAP] Menu [USEMAP] PREVIOUS A simple announcement doesn’t express a point of view or preview the main ideas of the composition. Wordiness standardactivityscreen [USEMAP] MENU EXIT Broad, General Opinions The statement of an opinion should be specific and narrow enough to be fully supported. [USEMAP] Thesis Statements [USEMAP] Continue… [USEMAP] Wordiness standardactivityscreenwithprevious [USEMAP] MENU EXIT Thesis Statements How would you revise this broad statement? The melting of the Artic ice cap is an environmental disaster. Broad, General Opinions [USEMAP] Click to see a revision [USEMAP] PREVIOUS The statement of an opinion should be specific and narrow enough to be fully supported. Wordiness standardactivityscreen [USEMAP] MENU EXIT Broad, General Opinions Thesis Statements How would you revise this broad statement? The melting of the Artic ice cap is an environmental disaster. The statement of an opinion should be specific and narrow enough to be fully supported. Wordiness standardactivityscreen [USEMAP] Thesis Statements MENU EXIT Broad, General Opinions The melting of the Artic ice cap is an environmental disaster. . [USEMAP] The statement of an opinion should be specific and narrow enough to be fully supported. The melting of the Artic ice cap is an environmental disaster. Wordiness standardactivityscreen [USEMAP] MENU EXIT Broad, General Opinions Thesis Statements The melting of the Artic ice cap [USEMAP] The statement of an opinion should be specific and narrow enough to be fully supported. Wordiness standardactivityscreen [USEMAP] MENU EXIT Broad, General Opinions Thesis Statements [USEMAP] The statement of an opinion should be specific and narrow enough to be fully supported. will affect not only the animals and people in the Artic region but also weather patterns and coastlines worldwide. The melting of the Artic ice cap Wordiness standardactivityscreenwithprevious [USEMAP] MENU EXIT Broad, General Opinions This thesis statement gives specific reasons that can be supported with evidence. Thesis Statements [USEMAP] Menu [USEMAP] PREVIOUS The statement of an opinion should be specific and narrow enough to be fully supported. will affect not only the animals and people in the Artic region but also weather patterns and coastlines worldwide. The melting of the Artic ice cap