How to Write a CLEAR THESIS Statement: Examples of a Thesis Statement

Summary

This video from the Learn Academic English channel offers a comprehensive guide on crafting thesis statements for English learners. It shares the presenter's experience in teaching writing, emphasizing the importance of a clear and direct thesis statement as the cornerstone of effective writing. The video provides strategies for writing both general and specific thesis statements, using examples to illustrate the process. It also includes a practice session on writing a thesis statement about climate change, highlighting the use of a colon to separate the main idea from supporting points.

Takeaways

• 📚 The video is aimed at intermediate and advanced English learners who want to improve their writing skills, particularly in crafting thesis statements.
• 📝 A thesis statement is a critical part of English writing, usually one or two sentences that directly state the main idea or argument of the essay.
• 🗺️ The thesis statement serves as a map or guide for the reader, outlining the writer's argument and the structure of the essay to follow.
• 📖 The video suggests that the thesis statement typically appears at the end of the introduction, especially in longer essays with multiple introductory paragraphs.
• 🐱 An example thesis statement is provided, highlighting the structure of stating the topic, the main argument, and the supporting reasons.
• 🤔 The importance of a controlling idea is emphasized, which is the central point the writer wants the reader to understand from the essay.
• 📑 The video recommends starting with a research question to focus the thesis statement and then answering that question in the thesis itself.
• 🌿 The process of brainstorming and selecting a controlling idea from a general topic is discussed, with examples provided for clarity.
• 📈 Two types of thesis statements are explained: general, which is shorter and does not include supporting points, and specific, which includes and details supporting points in the order they will be discussed.
• 🚗 A preference for specific thesis statements is expressed due to their ability to provide a detailed roadmap for both the writer and the reader.
• 🌡️ A practice exercise is included at the end of the video, where viewers are guided to write a thesis statement about the problems caused by climate change, illustrating the process with a general and specific example.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of a thesis statement in English writing?

The main purpose of a thesis statement is to directly tell the main idea of the writing or presentation, guiding the reader on what the argument or main idea is and possibly how it will be explained.

Why is the thesis statement considered the most important part of an essay in English writing style?

The thesis statement is considered the most important part because it sets the expectation for the reader, clearly stating the argument or main idea and how it will be discussed, making the essay clear and direct.

Where is the thesis statement typically placed in an essay?

The thesis statement is usually placed at the end of the introduction paragraph. In longer essays with multiple introductory paragraphs, it is placed at the end of the last introductory paragraph.

What is an example of a thesis statement provided in the script?

An example given is: 'Cats make the best pets for the following reasons: they are easy to take care of, they provide company, and they live a long life.' This statement outlines the topic (cats), the claim (best pets), and the supporting reasons.

What is the controlling idea in writing an essay?

The controlling idea is the central argument or main point that the writer wants the reader to understand from the essay. It is the focus that guides the entire writing.

How does the script suggest starting the process of writing a thesis statement?

The script suggests starting with a question that focuses the idea, and then answering that question becomes the thesis statement.

What are the two types of thesis statements discussed in the script?

The two types of thesis statements are general and specific. A general thesis statement does not include supporting points, while a specific thesis statement includes and orders the supporting points that will be discussed in the essay.

Why might a writer choose a general thesis statement over a specific one?

A writer might choose a general thesis statement if they are short on time or have difficulty writing a specific one. It provides a simpler overview of the essay's main idea without detailing the supporting points.

What is the suggested method for separating the main idea and supporting points in a specific thesis statement?

The script suggests using a colon to separate the main idea from the supporting points in a specific thesis statement, for example, 'Everyone should drive a hybrid car for the following reasons: they pollute less, are widely available, and reduce gasoline expenses.'

How does the script recommend practicing writing a thesis statement?

The script recommends choosing a topic, brainstorming controlling ideas, formulating a question related to the controlling idea, and then answering that question to form a thesis statement.

What is the final tip provided in the script for writing thesis statements?

The final tip is to use a colon to separate the thesis statement into two parts, especially when including supporting points, to clearly delineate the main idea and the reasons or problems that will be discussed.