SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

THESIS STATEMENT OF AN ACADEMIC

TEXT

Most Essential Learning Competency:

States thesis statement of an academic text

Department of Education ● Republic of the Philippines

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Learning Objectives: At the end of the lesson, the learners shall be able to:

 identify the various techniques in locating thesis statement; and,

 formulate thesis statement of the texts.

Directions: In your notebook, write true if the statement supports the principle of thesis
statement; write false if otherwise.
1. Thesis Statement is the first sentence at the beginning of each paragraph.
2. It makes a claim that other people may dispute, challenge, or oppose.
3. It is a question in response to the writing assignment
4. It is a road map for a paper; it tells the reader what the paper will focus on.
5. It is a simple statement of fact

WHAT IS THESIS STATEMENT?

• It is a statement that summarizes your topic and declares your position on it.
• tells the reader how you will interpret the significance of the subject matter under discussion.
• is a road map for the paper; in other words, it tells the reader what to expect from the rest of the paper.
• It is the central idea of a multiple-paragraph composition. It is one sentence summary that guides,
controls and unifies ideas when writing a paper. In simple terms, all the other ideas present in an easy
revolve around the thesis statement.
• It focuses your ideas into one or two sentences. It should present the topic of your paper and also
make a comment about your position in relation to the topic. Your thesis statement should tell your
reader what the paper is about and also help guide your writing and keep your argument focused.

LOCATING EXPLICIT AND IMPLICIT THESIS STATEMENTS

• In academic writing, the thesis is often explicit: it is included as a sentence as part of the text. It might
be near the beginning of the work, but not always–some types of academic writing leave the thesis
until the conclusion.
• Journalism and reporting also rely on explicit thesis statements that appear very early in the piece–the
first paragraph or even the first sentence.
• Works of literature, on the other hand, usually do not contain a specific sentence that sums up the
core concept of the writing. However, readers should finish the piece with a good understanding of
what the work was trying to convey. This is what’s called an implicit thesis statement: the primary point
of the reading is conveyed indirectly, in multiple locations throughout the work. (In literature, this is
also referred to as the theme of the work.)
• However, academic writing sometimes relies on implicit thesis statements, as well.

FOUR QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN FORMULATING THESIS STATEMENT

1. Where is your thesis statement?

You should provide a thesis early in your essay -- in the introduction, or in longer essays in the second
paragraph -- in order to establish your position and give your reader a sense of direction.

Tips on how to write a successful thesis statement

• Avoid burying a great thesis statement in the middle of a paragraph or late in the paper.
• Be as clear and as specific as possible; avoid vague words.
• Indicate the point of your paper but avoid sentence structures like, “The point of my paper is…”

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2. Is your thesis statement specific?

Your thesis statement should be as clear and specific as possible. Normally you will continue to refine
your thesis as you revise your argument(s), so your thesis will evolve and gain definition as you obtain
a better sense of where your argument is taking you.

Tips on how to formulate specific thesis statement

• Are there two large statements connected loosely by a coordinating conjunction (i.e. "and," "but," "or,"
"for," "nor," "so," "yet")?
• Would a subordinating conjunction help (i.e. "through," "although," "because," "since") to signal a
relationship between the two sentences?
• Or do the two statements imply a fuzzy unfocused thesis?
• If so, settle on one single focus and then proceed with further development.

3. Is your thesis statement too general?

Your thesis should be limited to what can be accomplished in the specified number of pages. Shape
your topic so that you can get straight to the "meat" of it. Being specific in your paper will be much
more successful than writing about general things that do not say much. Don't settle for three pages of
just skimming the surface.

The opposite of a focused, narrow, crisp thesis is a broad, sprawling, superficial thesis. Compare this
original thesis (too general) with three possible revisions (more focused, each presenting a different
approach to the same topic):

• Original thesis:
There are serious objections to today's horror movies.

Revised theses:

Because modern cinematic techniques have allowed filmmakers to get more graphic, horror flicks have
desensitized young American viewers to violence.

The pornographic violence in "bloodbath" slasher movies degrades both men and women.

Today's slasher movies fail to deliver the emotional catharsis that 1930s horror films did.

4. Is your thesis statement clear?

Your thesis statement is no exception to your writing: it needs to be as clear as possible. By being as
clear as possible in your thesis statement, you will make sure that your reader understands exactly
what you mean.

Tips on how to write clear thesis statement

Unless you're writing a technical report, avoid technical language. Always avoid jargon, unless you are
confident your audience will be familiar with it.
• Avoid vague words such as "interesting,” "negative," "exciting,” "unusual," and "difficult."
• Avoid abstract words such as "society," “values,” or “culture.”

These words tell the reader next to nothing if you do not carefully explain what you mean by them.
Never assume that the meaning of a sentence is obvious. Check to see if you need to define your
terms (” socialism," "conventional," "commercialism," "society"), and then decide on the most
appropriate place to do so. Do not assume, for example, that you have the same understanding of
what “society” means as your reader. To avoid misunderstandings, be as specific as possible.

Compare the original thesis (not specific and clear enough) with the revised version (much more specific
and clear):

Original thesis: Although the timber wolf is a timid and gentle animal, it is being systematically
exterminated. [if it's so timid and gentle -- why is it being exterminated?]

Revised thesis: Although the timber wolf is actually a timid and gentle animal, it is being systematically
exterminated because people wrongfully believe it to be a fierce and cold-blooded killer.

Original: "is, are, was, to be" or "to do, to make"

Revised: any great action verb you can concoct: "to generate," "to demolish," "to batter," "to revolt," "to

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 discover," "to flip," "to signify," "to endure..."

Use your own words in thesis statements; avoid quoting. Crafting an original, insightful, and memorable
thesis makes a distinct impression on a reader. You will lose credibility as a writer if you become only
a mouthpiece or a copyist; you will gain credibility by grabbing the reader with your own ideas and
words.

A well-crafted thesis statement reflects well-crafted ideas. It signals a writer who has intelligence,
commitment, and enthusiasm.

MULTIPLE CHOICE

Directions: Read the following statements very carefully. Select only one more effective thesis in the
introductory paragraph of a short essay. Keep in mind that an effective thesis statement should be
sharply focused and specific, not just a general statement of fact. Write the letter of your answer on
your paper.

1. A. The Hunger Games is a science fiction adventure film based on the novel of the same name by
Suzanne Collins.
B. The Hunger Games is a morality tale about the dangers of a political system that is dominated by
the wealthy.

2. A. There is no question that cell phones have changed our lives in a very big way.
B. While cell phones provide freedom and mobility, they can also become a leash, compelling users
to answer them anywhere and at any time.

3. A. Finding a job is never easy, but it can be especially hard when the economy is still feeling the
effects of a recession and employers are reluctant to hire new workers.
B. College students looking for part-time work should begin their search by taking advantage of job-
finding resources on campus.

4. A. For the past three decades, coconut oil has been unjustly criticized as an artery-clogging saturated
fat.
B. Cooking oil is plant, animal, or synthetic fat that is used in frying, baking, and other types of
cooking.

5. A. There have been over 200 movies about Count Dracula, most of them only very loosely based on
the novel published by Bram Stoker in 1897.
B. Despite its title, Bram Stoker's Dracula, a film directed by Francis Ford Coppola, takes considerable
liberties with Stoker's novel.

II.
Directions: Comprehend the following situations and identify the appropriate thesis statement. Choose
the letter of the best answer.

6-7. SITUATION A: You were given a task to write a strong claim about violent video games. What
is your thesis statement?
A. Violent video games are harmful for young people to play.
B. Violent video games are harmful to young people, and it should be stopped.
C. Violent video games are harmful for young people to play because children can become desensitized
to death.
D. Violent video games are harmful for young people because they should be reading a book.

8-10. SITUATION B: As a journalist, you intend to raise awareness about marijuana. What is your thesis
statement?
A. Always do your homework before watching TV and do not use marijuana.
B. Whatever you are, avoid marijuana and be a good one.
C. Marijuana should not be legalized because it is harmful to your health, will increase crime, & create
more drug addicts.
D. Marijuana can be used as medicine.