An LAVC Writing Center Workshop Presentation

It is one sentence.


It states the main idea or argument of your



essay.
It is typically placed at the end of the


introduction paragraph.
It lets your reader know what to expect.


It is the basis for your entire essay.



It is the most important part of your essay.



It is awesome (kinda).

1. The topic/subject.
2. Your opinion of the topic.

Quick Activity: Pick a subject that you feel you

can support or disprove and try to think of
three things you feel support your idea.

For example: LAVC is a great college because of

their experienced teachers, skilled tutoring
offices, and welcoming academic
environment.
 The Thesis is the central idea of attention
within an essay

 It tells the reader what position you are

supporting about the subject in the essay.

 The thesis must always be a complete

sentence that is: specific, succinct, and
suggestive of the organization to be followed
in the essay.
 The THESIS STATEMENT doesn’t always
come first in the writing process, but it is good
to develop it early so you can use it as a guide
for your paper.

 I am writing about ____________ , and I am

going to argue, show, or prove that _________,
by stating that ___________ , _____________ ,
and _____________.
  Just as E = mc²…

 Subject + Opinion = Thesis

 The first sentence of your introductory
paragraph should contain an attention getter,
which is a sentence that attracts your reader’s
attention makes them want to read further.

 The introduction paragraph of an essay provides

the reader with a general survey of information
of the subject being discussed.
 Once all necessary and relevant
background knowledge is stated, it is
typically then that a thesis statement
can be declared in the last sentence of
the introduction paragraph.
 After the Thesis Statement, an essay has body
paragraphs. Each body paragraph should be at
least 3-4 sentences long and will include a topic
sentence and concluding sentence to let the reader
know what that paragraph will discuss.

 These body paragraphs should discuss what

you have stated in your Thesis Statement using
evidence to back up your claims.
 After your body paragraphs, you will have a
conclusion paragraph that is located at the
very end of your essay.

 Your conclusion paragraph should restate the

ideas in your Thesis, but in a different way.
Conclude your thoughts and let the reader
know why you have successfully proved your
point.
 A beginning THESIS STATEMENT:
A is B.

 A better THESIS STATEMENT:

A is B because of x, y, and z

 A more complex THESIS STATEMENT:

Although C is D, A is B because of x, y, and z.
 BASIC THESIS (just alright!): Community
colleges are an important part of California’s
educational system.

 MORE COMPLEX THESIS (much better!):

Community colleges are an important part of
California’s educational system because they are a
more cost-effective way to attain a degree, classes
are smaller, and they prepare students for the
demands of University life.
 VERY COMPLEX THESIS (perfect!!): Although
many students want to go straight from high
school to a four-year university, community
colleges are an important part of California’s
educational system because they are a more cost-
effective way to attain a degree, classes are smaller
than at most four-year universities, and they
prepare students for the demands of University life.
 Although is a conjunction that means, “in spite
of the fact; even though,” and is helpful in
connecting and comparing/contrasting
different, but related, ideas.
 Because is also a conjunction that means, “for
the reason that; since,” and is useful for
offering insight and introducing supporting
details for a claim.
 Thesis statements that are too broad and general
will lead to an essay that lacks focus.

 Certain words may be used to narrow the focus

of an argument, as well as expand a thesis
statement to make it as specific as possible.
 EXAMPLE: “While, “Although,” “Because”:
 “While/Although the rise of industrialization led to
the expansion of global trade relations, the conditions
of working class people deteriorated because
__________, _________, and _____________.
 CONNECT-THE-THESIS Worksheet
 Create your own THESIS STATEMENTS!

 Anyone can do it!

 http://www.lavc.edu/WCweb/
 http://thewritingcenter.edulounge.net/
 http://studenthacks.org/2007/11/06/thesis-
statement/
 http://www.csu.edu.au/division/studserv/le
arning/essay/structure.htm