ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC

AND PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES

Quarter 1/3 – Module 4

Stating Thesis Statements

This Self Learning Module (SLM) was designed and written with you in mind to help you
master on stating thesis statements of an academic texts. The scope of this learning
material focuses on the many different learning situations.

Moreover, the language used recognizes the diverse vocabulary levels of learners. The
lessons are also arranged following the standard sequence of the course.

Hence, the order in which you read them can be changed to correspond with the
textbook you are now using.

The SLM contains:

Lesson: Stating Thesis Statements

The Most Essential Learning Competency (MELC) used in this module is

stating the thesis statement of an academic texts.

After going through this SLM, you are expected to:

1. identify thesis statement on a given text;
2. create a thesis statement based on a given topic; and
3. develop a thesis statement about any timely issues.

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 P re test

I. Directions: Read and analyze each items carefully. Choose the letter of your answer. Write
your answer in your activity notebook.

1. What is a thesis statement?

A. It clearly identifies the topic being discussed.
B. It presents the main of a reading texts.
C. It focuses on one central point or issue.
D. All of the above.

2. How long should a thesis statement be?

A. one word C.one paragraph
B. one sentence D. one text

3. Where is thesis statement located in academic text?

A. 1st paragraph C. 3rd paragraph
nd
B. 2 paragraph D. anywhere in the text

4. Which is true about thesis statement?

A. It is a fact. C. It is an announcement.
B. It is a question. D. It is arguable.

5. What type of statement clearly and directly express the main idea of the reading text?
A. Thesis statement C. Explicit statement
B. Implicit statement D. Concluding statement

II. Directions: For each pair of sentences below, select the one that you think would make the
more effective thesis in the introductory paragraph of a short essay. Choose the letter of your
answer. Write your answer in your activity notebook.

6. (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.

7.(a) Like other addictive behaviors, Internet addiction may have serious negative
consequences, including academic failure, job loss, and a breakdown in personal relationships.
(b) Drug and alcohol addiction is a major problem in the world today, and many people suffer
from it.

8.(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.

9.(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.

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10.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.

III. Directions: Write T if the statement is correct. Write F if the statement is incorrect. Write your
answer in your activity notebook.

11.A thesis statement focuses on a single line argument.

12.Figurative language is used in writing a thesis statement.
13. A thesis statement should be specific, not broad or general.
14. A thesis statement should not present an argument to avoid misunderstanding among readers.
15. A thesis statement is composed of a topic and assertion.

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 Stating Thesis Statements in Various Academic Texts
The thesis statement is considered to be the “heart of the essay.” The idea of an essay
without a thesis statement is compared to a body without its heart.

What is a thesis statement?

A thesis statement is defined as the “central point” or “core” of an essay. It clearly identifies
the topic being discussed, includes the points discussed in the paper, and is written for a specific
audience. It presents the main idea or message of a piece of writing that is usually composed of
one or two sentences and focuses on just one central point or issue.

It is composed of two (2) parts: it presents (1) a subject/topic, and (2) assertion that implies
a position or an opinion about that subject/topic.

The thesis statement usually occurs at the end of the introduction, after the background
information on the topic. It is connected with the background information through a transition, which
could be a full sentence, or a simple transition word, such as therefore, because, but etc.

Qualities of a Good Thesis Statement

1. It commits the writer to a single line of argument.

2. It presents something arguable or in need of explanation.
3. It is manageable.
4. It is written in a specific and precise language.
5. It is concise as possible.
6. It is not an announcement.
7. It is not worded in figurative language.
8. It is not too broad.
9. It is not a question.

Examples of a Good and Bad Thesis Statements

1. Topic: Social Media as a marketing tool.

Bad Thesis Statement: “Social media is proving a good marketing tool.”

Good Thesis Statement: “Social media is proving to be, not only a better marketing
tool, but also a source of advertisement for short and medium enterprises intending to
expand their consumer base.”

2. Topic: The Impact of Internet in our lives.

Bad Thesis Statement: “The internet has improved the lives of many.”

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 Good Thesis Statement: “The internet serves as a means of expediently connecting
people across the globe, fostering new friendships and an exchange of ideas that
wouldn't have occurred prior to its inception.”

3. Topic: The Effects of Alcohol Consumption

Bad Thesis Statement: “High levels of alcohol consumption are bad for you.”

Good: “High levels of alcohol consumption have detrimental effects on your

personal health, such as weight gain, heart disease, and liver complications.”

4. Topic: The Health Benefits of Exercise

Bad Thesis Statement: “Everyone should exercise.”

Good Thesis Statement: “Filipinos should add exercise to their daily morning
routine because it not only keeps their bodies at a healthy weight but also
reduces the risk of high blood pressure.”

5. Topic: Importance of Reading

Bad Thesis Statement: “Reading can develop a child's analytical mind.”

Good Thesis Statement: “Reading develops a child's mind by fostering

comprehension skills, increasing vocabulary, and exposing them to new worlds
they might not otherwise encounter.”

Types of Thesis Statement

1. Explicit Thesis Statement - it express clearly and directly the main idea of the text read.
2. Implicit Thesis Statement - it does not clearly express the main idea of the text.

Tips for Writing a Thesis Statement

1. Determine what kind of paper you are writing:

• An analytical paper breaks down an issue or an idea into its component parts, evaluates
the issue or idea, and presents this breakdown and evaluation to the audience.
• An expository (explanatory) paper explains something to the audience.
• An argumentative paper makes a claim about a topic and justifies this claim with
specific evidence. The claim could be an opinion, a policy proposal, an evaluation, a
cause-and-effect statement, or an interpretation. The goal of the argumentative paper is
to convince the audience that the claim is true based on the evidence provided.

If you are writing a text that does not fall under these three categories (e.g., a narrative), a
thesis statement somewhere in the first paragraph could still be helpful to your reader.

3. Your thesis statement should be specific—it should cover only what you will discuss in your
paper and should be supported with specific evidence.

3. The thesis statement usually appears at the end of the first paragraph of a paper.

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4. Your topic may change as you write, so you may need to revise your thesis statement to reflect
exactly what you have discussed in the paper.

Activity 1: Read, State, Go!

Directions: Read the academic texts below and answer the Comprehension Guide Questions
(CGQ) in your activity notebook.

Competition and Cooperation

(1) Explanations of the interrelation between competition and

cooperation have evolved over the time. Early research into competition an d
coop eratio n d efine d e ach of them in te rms o f th e d is tribu tion o f re wa rd s
related to each. Competition was defined as a situation in which rewards are
distributed unequally on the basis of performance, cooperation on the other
hand, was defined as a situa tion in which rewards are distributed equally on
the basis of mutual interactive behaviour among individuals. By this definition,
a competitive situation requires at least on competitor to fail for each
competitor that wins, while a cooperative situation o ffers a reward only if all
m e m b e r s o f t h e g r o u p r e c e i v e i t
.
(2) Researchers have found definitions of competition and
cooperation based upon rewards inadequate primarily because definitions of
these two concepts based upon rewards depict them as opposite. In current
understanding, competition is not viewed as opposite of cooperation, instead,
cooperation is v iewed as in tegral component of compet it ion. Coop eration is
necessary among team members, perhaps in a sporting event or in a political
race, in order to win the competition, it is equally important to understand that
cooperation is of great importance between teams in that same sporting event
or ground rules of the game or election in order to compete.

( 3 ) I n t e r e s t i n g l y , t h e wo r d c om pe t i t i o n i s d e r i v ed f r o m a La t i n v er b
w h ich m ean s “ t o seek t oge th e r . ” A n und e rs tan d ing o f th e de r iv a ti on o f t he
w o rd com pe t i t i on s upp o r ts th e und e rs ta nd i ng th a t co ope r a t io n , ra th e r th an
evoking a characteristic at the opposite extreme of human nature from
competition, is in reality a necessary factor in competition.

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Comprehension Questions:

1. What is the topic of the text?

2. What is the thesis or main idea of the text?

3. Was the thesis explicitly stated or implicitly stated by the author?

4. Was the text written in deductive order or inductive order?

5. Do you agree with the author’s claim or thesis? Why or why not?

Activity 2: Write Some -THESIS

Directions: Write your own thesis statement on the topic below. Make sure that the thesis
statement is strong following the qualities of effective statements.

1. Topic: Use of Gadgets

Thesis Statement:

2. Topic: Internet Addiction

Thesis Statement:

3. Topic: Cyber Bullying

Thesis Statement:

4. Topic: Digital Divide

Thesis Statement:

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Activity 3: THESIS - it!

Directions: Below is a graphic organizer that will help you present your ideas and thesis on an
issue. Using this hamburger chart, please provide three evidences/supports and develop a thesis
statement about any timely issue around you.

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Directions: Complete the 3-2-1. Chart about your discoveries on the lesson. Write your answers
on a separate sheet of paper.

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 Post test

IV. Directions: Read and analyze each items carefully. Choose the letter of your answer. Write
your answer in your activity notebook.

1.What type of statement clearly and directly express the main idea of the reading text?
A. Explicit statement C. Thesis statement
B. Implicit statement D. Concluding statement

2.What is a thesis statement?

A. It clearly identifies the topic being discussed.
B.It presents the main of a reading texts.
C.It focuses on one central point or issue.
D. All of the above.

3.Which is true about thesis statement?

A. It is arguable. C. It is a fact.
B. It is an announcement. D. It is a statement.

4.Where is thesis statement located in academic text?

A. 1st paragraph C. 3rd paragraph
nd
B. 2 paragraph D. anywhere in the text

5. How long should a thesis statement be?

A. one word C.one paragraph
B. one sentence D. one text

III. Directions: For each pair of sentences below, select the one that you think would make the
more effective thesis in the introductory paragraph of a short essay. Choose the letter of your
answer.Write your answer in your activity notebook.

6.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.

7.(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.

8.(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.

9.(a) Like other addictive behaviors, Internet addiction may have serious negative
consequences, including academic failure, job loss, and a breakdown in personal relationships.
(b) Drug and alcohol addiction is a major problem in the world today, and many people suffer
from it.
10
10.(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.

III. Directions: Write T if the statement is correct. Write F if the statement is incorrect. Write your
answer in your activity notebook.

11.A thesis statement should not present an argument to avoid misunderstanding among readers.
12.A thesis statement is composed of a topic and assertion.
13.A thesis statement focuses on a single line argument.
14.A thesis statement should be specific, not broad or general.
15.Figurative language is used in writing a thesis statement.

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Post Test
1. A
2. D Activity 3
Reflection
3. A
4. A *Answer may vary.
*Answer may vary.
5. B
6. B
7. B
8. A
9. A
10. B
11. F
12. T
13. T
14. T
15. T
Pre Test
1. D
Activity 2 Activity 1 2. B
3. A
*Answer may vary. *Answer may vary. 4. D
5. C
6. B
7. A
8. A
9. B
10. B
11. T
12. F
13. T
14. T
15. T
Answer Key
References
Textbook

Department of Education (December 2013) K to 12 Senior High School Applied Track Subject
English for Academic and Professional Purposes. Curriculum Guide

Laurel M.C., Luceno, A. F., & Bumantay - Cruz, R. T. (2016). English for Academic and
Professional Purposes , Reader. Department of Education

Online Source

https://literarydevices.net/thesis-statement/
https://rasmussen.libanswers.com/faq/32467
http://webs.anokaramsey.edu/stankey/Writing/WrtgProc/Thesis.htm
https://examples.yourdictionary.com/thesis-statement-examples.html
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/the_writing_process/thesis_statement_tips.html
https://www.thoughtco.com/exercise-in-identifying-effective-thesis-statements-1692401

Icons credit: Ivin Mae N. Ambos, Division of Surigao del Sur

Published by the Department of Education, Caraga Region

Schools Division Office of Surigao City
Schools Division Superintendent: Karen L. Galanida
Assistant Schools Division Superintendent: Florence E. Almaden

Development Team of the Self-Learning Module (SLM)

Writer : April Joy T. Tangga-an

Editors/ Evalautors : Percious R. Bilazon and Aurora B. Obenza
Management Team : Karen L. Galanida
Florence E. Almaden
Carlo P. Tantoy
Ricky L. Pedralba

Printed in the Philippines by the Schools Division Office of Surigao City

Office Address : M. Ortiz Street, Barangay Washington
: Surigao City, Surigao del Norte, Philippines
Telephone : (086) 826-1268; (086) 826-3075; (086) 826-8931
E-mail Address : surigao.city@deped.gov.ph

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