Academic Writing

Writing the Thesis Statement

Shabana Ahmed
Assistant Professor
School of Education
Beaconhouse National University
 The internet
1. Brainstorm the topic

Effects of the internet

2. Narrow the topic

Effects of the internet on adolescents

Effects of the internet on adolescents’ lifestyle
3. Take a position on the topic
Reducing the effects of adolescents’ use of the
Internet on their lifestyle
• Research shows that certain Internet habits, such as
excessive online time, accessing the Internet in an
Internet bar, and using the Internet for catharsis, are
related to poor lifestyle habits in adolescents
• Because certain kind of lnternet use, such as
excessive online time, accessing the Internet in an
Internet bar, and using the Internet for catharsis
affect lifestyle habits in adolescents, parents and
schools should be required to offer healthy pastime
alternatives.
4. Make and assertion based on clearly stated
support
Because certain kind of lnternet use, such as
excessive online time, accessing the Internet in
an Internet bar, and using the Internet for
catharsis affect lifestyle habits in adolescents,
parents and schools should be required to offer
healthy pastime alternatives.
 Difference between a Strong and a Weak
Thesis Statement
1. A strong thesis statement takes some sort of
stand
Weak: There are some negative and positive
aspects to the Banana Herb Tea Supplement.
Strong: Because Banana Herb Tea Supplement
promotes rapid weight loss that results in
the loss of muscle and lean body mass, it
poses a potential danger to customers.
2. A strong thesis statement justifies discussion.
Weak: My family is an extended family.
Strong: While most American families would
view consanguineal marriage as a threat to the
nuclear family structure, many Iranian families,
like my own, believe that these marriages help
reinforce kinship ties in an extended family.
3. A strong thesis statement expresses one main idea.
Weak: Companies need to exploit the marketing
potential of the Internet, and Web pages can provide
both advertising and customer support.
Strong: Because the Internet is filled with
tremendous marketing potential, companies should
exploit this potential by using Web pages that offer
both advertising and customer support.
4. A strong thesis statement is specific.
Weak: World hunger has many causes and
effects.
Strong: Hunger persists in Eretria
because jobs are scarce and farming in the
infertile soil is rarely profitable.
 What a thesis is NOT

• A thesis is not an announcement.

Example: I am going to tell you the importance
of ABC.
• A thesis is not introduced by an opinion
phrase such as I think, I feel, I believe.
Example: I feel that good hygiene begins with
the basics of effective hand-washing.
• A thesis is not a statement of fact.
Example: Shahid Burki writes about economic
equality in the Pakistan.

• A thesis is not a quote.

Example : Shahid Burki writes, “Economic
equality is good for Pakistan”.