YOU HAVE TO DECODE THE SECRET TEXT

FROM THE PHRASE

THE Sea IS calm and I am on

the Seashore TAking my TimE
enjoying the moMENT
THESIS STATEMENT
 THESIS STATEMENT

-It is a statement that summarizes your topic and declares your

position on it.
-It tells the reader how you will interpret the significance of the
subject matter under discussion.
-It is a roadmap for 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.
-It focuses your ideas into one or two sentences.
There are two (2) types of Thesis Statement
1. Explicit- a thesis is often explicit (Precisely and clearly expressed)
-Explicit statements are simple statements. It expresses the paper’s main
idea with “I” statements.
- one example is, I am going to study for the coming summative exam.
2. Implicit- the primary point of the reading is conveyed indirectly. (do not
directly express)
-In literature, this is also referred to as the theme of the work
- An implicit thesis statement implies the paper’s main idea.
For example: Studying for the exam is a difficult task while balancing work,
school, and family, for it creates problems with time management.
 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. –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-usually do not contain a specific sentence.
However, readers should finish the piece with a good understanding
of what the work was trying to convey. This is what we called an
implicit thesis statement
Four Questions to Ask When Formulating a Thesis Statement

1. Where is your thesis statement?

You should provide a thesis early in your essay – in the introduction, or longer
essays in the second paragraph – 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…”
2. Is your thesis statement specific?
Your thesis statement should be as clear and specific as possible.
Tips on how to formulate a specific thesis statement
 There are two large statements connected loosely by a coordinating
conjunction (i.e. “and,” “but,” “or,” “for” “nor,” “so,” and “yet”)?
Example: Statement 1: I wanted to go to the beach for a relaxing day
in the sun.
Statement 2: The weather forecast predicted heavy rain and
thunderstorms.
Combined with "but":
I wanted to go to the beach for a relaxing day in the sun, but the
weather forecast predicted heavy rain and thunderstorms.
 Would a subordinating conjunction help (i.e. “through,” “although,”
“because,” and “since”)to signal a relationship between the two sentences?
Example:
Certainly! Subordinating conjunctions are used to signal a relationship between
two sentences, making one sentence dependent on the other. Here are examples
using the subordinating conjunctions "although," "because," and "since":

Since:
- Independent clause: He had already eaten dinner.
- Dependent clause: Since he had already eaten dinner, he wasn't hungry when
they went out for ice cream.
 Settle on one single focus and then proceed with further
development.
1.Is your thesis statement too general?
It should be limited to what can be accomplished. Shape
your topic so that you can get straight to the “meat” of it. Be
specific in your paper
Is your thesis statement clear?
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 get straight to the “meat” of it.
-Be specific in your topic.
Example:
• Original Thesis: There are serious objections to today’s
horror movies.
• Revised Thesis: Because modern cinematic techniques
have allowed filmmakers to get more graphic, horror flicks
have desensisized young American viewers
3. Is your thesis clear?
Your thesis 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

• Avoid vague words such as “interesting,” “negative,”
“exciting,” “unusual,” and “difficult.”
• Avoid abstract words such as “society,” “values,” or
“culture.”
Compare the original thesis (not specific and clear enough) with the revised
version (more specific and clearer)

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 discover,” “to flip,” “to signify,” “to endure…”