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THESIS GENERATOR
Thesis Statement Guide Development Tool
Follow the steps below to formulate a thesis statement. All cells must contain text.

1. State your topic.

regulating children's television use

2. State your opinion/main idea about this topic.

This will form the heart of your thesis. An effective statement will

express one major idea.

name the topic and assert something specific about it.

be a more specific statement than the topic statement above.

take a stance on an issue about which reasonable people might disagree.

state your position on or opinion about the issue.

parents should regulate the amount of television their children watch

3. Give the strongest reason or assertion that supports your opinion/main idea.

it is not always intellectually stimulating

4. Give another strong reason or assertion that supports your opinion/main idea.

it inhibits social interaction

5. Give one more strong reason or assertion that supports your opinion/main idea.
it shortens children's attention spans

6. Include an opposing viewpoint to your opinion/main idea, if applicable. This should be an argument
for the opposing view that you admit has some merit, even if you do not agree with the overall
viewpoint.

television can be educational

7. Provide a possible title for your essay.

Touch that Dial!

SUBMIT

Thesis Statement Guide Results

Thesis Statement Model #1: Sample Thesis Statement

Parents should regulate the amount of television their children watch.

Thesis Statement Model #2: Thesis with Concession

Notice that this model makes a concession by addressing an argument from the opposing viewpoint first, and
then uses the phrase "even though" and states the writer's opinion/main idea as a rebuttal.

Even though television can be educational, parents should regulate the amount of television their
children watch.

Thesis Statement Model #3: Thesis with Reasons

Here, the use of "because" reveals the reasons behind the writer's opinion/main idea.

parents should regulate the amount of television their children watch because it shortens children's
attention spans, it inhibits social interaction, and it isn't always intellectually stimulating.

Thesis Statement Model #4: Thesis with Concession and Reasons

This model both makes a concession to opposing viewpoint and states the reasons/arguments for the writer's
main idea.

While television can be educational, parents should regulate the amount of television their children
watch because it inhibits social interaction, shortens children's attention spans, and isn't always
intellectually stimulating.

Remember: These thesis statements are generated based on the answers provided on the form. Use the
Thesis Statement Guide as many times as you like. Your ideas and the results are anonymous and
confidential. When you build a thesis statement that works for you, ensure that it addresses the assignment.
Finally, you may have to rewrite the thesis statement so that the spelling, grammar, and punctuation are
correct.

Thesis Statement Guide: Sample Outline

Use the outline below, which is based on the fiveparagraph essay model, when drafting a plan for your own
essay. This is meant as a guide only, so we encourage you to revise it in a way that works best for you.

Introductory Paragraph
Start your introduction with an interesting "hook" to reel your reader in. An introduction can begin with a
rhetorical question, a quotation, an anecdote, a concession, an interesting fact, or a question that will be
answered in your paper. The idea is to begin broadly and gradually bring the reader closer to the main idea of
the paper. At the end of the introduction, you will present your thesis statement. The thesis statement model
used in this example is a thesis with reasons.

Even though television can be educational , parents should regulate the amount of television their
children watch because it shortens children's attention spans, it inhibits social interaction, and it is
not always intellectually stimulating

Paragraph #1
First, parents should regulate the amount of television their children watch because it shortens
children's attention spans.

Notice that this Assertion is the first reason presented in the thesis statement. Remember that the thesis
statement is a kind of "mapping tool" that helps you organize your ideas, and it helps your reader follow your
argument. In this body paragraph, after the Assertion, include any evidencea quotation, statistic, datathat
supports this first point. Explain what the evidence means. Show the reader how this entire paragraph
connects back to the thesis statement.

Paragraph #2
Additionally, it inhibits social interaction.
The first sentence of the second body paragraph should reflect an even stronger Assertion to support the
thesis statement. Generally, the second point listed in the thesis statement should be developed here. Like
with the previous paragraph, include any evidencea quotation, statistic, datathat supports this point after the
Assertion. Explain what the evidence means. Show the reader how this entire paragraph connects back to the
thesis statement.

Paragraph #3
Finally, the most important reason parents should regulate the amount of television their children watch
is it is not always intellectually stimulating.

Your strongest point should be revealed in the final body paragraph. Also, if it's appropriate, you can address
and refute any opposing viewpoints to your thesis statement here. As always, include evidencea quotation,
statistic, datathat supports your strongest point. Explain what the evidence means. Show the reader how this
entire paragraph connects back to the thesis statement.

Concluding Paragraph
Indeed, while television can be educational, parents should regulate the amount of television their
children watch.

Rephrase your thesis statement in the first sentence of the conclusion. Instead of summarizing the points you
just made, synthesize them. Show the reader how everything fits together. While you don't want to present
new material here, you can echo the introduction, ask the reader questions, look to the future, or challenge
your reader.

Remember: This outline is based on the fiveparagraph model. Expand or condense it according to your
particular assignment or the size of your opinion/main idea. Again, use the Thesis Statement Guide as many
times as you like, until you reach a thesis statement and outline that works for you.

Ashford University
8620 Spectrum Center Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92123

Clinton Campus
400 North Bluff Blvd.
Clinton, IA 52732

2013 Ashford University

Ashford University
8620 Spectrum Center Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92123

Clinton Campus
400 North Bluff Blvd.
Clinton, IA 52732

2013 Ashford University