Writing Ninjas: How To Write A Strong Thesis Statement

InkwellMedia

25 Feb 201403:39

Summary

TLDRThis video teaches the essential skill of writing a strong thesis statement. It explains that a thesis summarizes your position on a topic and serves as a roadmap for your paper. Viewers learn that a thesis should be concise (one to two sentences) and placed at the end of the introduction. The video introduces a formula for crafting a thesis: claim + reason/evidence = thesis. It also highlights the power of a three-point thesis, using an example about studying foreign languages to demonstrate the concept. The video emphasizes clarity and evidence-based writing.

Takeaways

✍️ A thesis statement summarizes your position on the topic of your paper.
🗺️ The thesis statement acts as a roadmap for your readers, outlining what the paper is about.
📏 A thesis statement is usually one to two sentences long.
📍 The thesis statement should be the last sentence of your introduction.
🧩 A good thesis statement follows a formula: Claim (your position) + Reason/Evidence = Thesis Statement.
📝 To write a thesis statement, first choose the topic of your paper.
👍 If given a writing prompt, use it to determine the topic of your paper.
✅ Choose a position (for or against) regarding the topic to create your claim.
💪 Strengthen your thesis by developing evidence with specific reasons and examples.
🌟 A three-point thesis statement, which includes three supporting pieces of evidence, is considered the strongest.

Q & A

What is a thesis statement?
-A thesis statement summarizes your position on the topic of your paper. It acts as a road map for your readers, telling them what the paper is about and helping you organize your content.
Where should the thesis statement be placed in the paper?
-The thesis statement should be the last sentence of your introduction.
How long should a thesis statement be?
-A thesis statement is usually one to two sentences long.
What is the formula for writing a thesis statement?
-The formula for writing a thesis statement is: Claim (your position) + Reason/Evidence = Thesis Statement.
How do you choose a topic for your thesis statement?
-If your teacher has given you a writing prompt, it will give you the topic for your paper. Otherwise, you need to choose a topic based on the subject matter.
How do you develop a claim for a thesis statement?
-Your claim is your position on the topic. For example, if the topic is whether people should study foreign languages, your claim could be 'People should study foreign languages.'
How can you strengthen your thesis statement?
-You can strengthen your thesis statement by providing three pieces of evidence to support your claim, creating a three-point thesis statement.
What is an example of a strong three-point thesis statement?
-An example of a strong three-point thesis statement is: 'People should study a foreign language because language learning strengthens memory, enlarges vocabulary, and builds an appreciation for foreign cultures.'
Why is it important to have a strong thesis statement?
-A strong thesis statement helps guide your readers through the paper, making your argument clear and providing a structure to your writing.
What is the purpose of using a thesis formula?
-The thesis formula simplifies the process of creating a clear and concise thesis statement, ensuring that your claim is well-supported by reason and evidence.

Outlines

00:00

🎵 Introduction: Becoming a Writing Ninja

This paragraph introduces the concept of becoming a 'writing ninja.' It emphasizes that to achieve this, one must master the art of crafting a strong thesis statement. The paragraph hints at a 'secret formula' for writing effective thesis statements, building anticipation for the upcoming content.

✍️ Understanding the Thesis Statement

This section defines what a thesis statement is and its importance in an essay. The thesis statement summarizes the writer's position on the topic and serves as a roadmap for the readers, helping both the writer organize their thoughts and the readers understand the structure of the paper.

📏 Length and Placement of a Thesis Statement

Here, the paragraph explains that a thesis statement is typically one to two sentences long. It also specifies where it should appear in a paper, stating that it should be the final sentence of the introduction.

🧠 The Thesis Formula: Claim + Reason + Evidence

This paragraph presents a formula for writing a thesis statement: 'Claim + Reason + Evidence.' It suggests that one should first choose a topic, often derived from a teacher's prompt, and then decide on a position before backing it up with reasons and evidence.

🌍 Example: Writing a Thesis on Studying Foreign Languages

The paragraph provides an example of how to apply the thesis formula using the topic of whether people should study foreign languages. It demonstrates how to form a claim ('people should study foreign languages') and supports it with a reason ('because it makes them smarter').

📚 Strengthening Your Thesis with Three Points

This section introduces the concept of a 'three-point thesis statement,' which is stronger because it provides three pieces of evidence to support the claim. The example thesis states that learning a foreign language strengthens memory, enlarges vocabulary, and builds cultural appreciation.

💡 Conclusion: The Thesis Writing Formula

In this final paragraph, the script reinforces the formula for writing a thesis statement: 'Claim + Reason + Evidence.' The importance of following this structure is emphasized to create a strong and clear thesis.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Thesis Statement

A thesis statement is a concise summary of the main point or claim of a paper. In the video, it is described as a road map for readers, guiding them on the paper’s topic and structure. The video emphasizes its importance by explaining how it helps organize the paper and clarifies the writer's position.

💡Position

Position refers to the stance or viewpoint the writer takes on a given topic. In the video, this is the first component of the thesis statement formula, where the writer must clearly state their stance on whether people should study a foreign language.

💡Reason

Reason is the justification or rationale supporting the writer's position. In the thesis statement formula, it is paired with the position to form a complete thesis. The video explains that the reason provides the evidence or explanation for why the writer holds a particular view, such as 'because it makes them smarter.'

💡Evidence

Evidence refers to the supporting facts or information that back up the writer's position. In the video, evidence is used to strengthen the thesis statement, making it more convincing. For example, it mentions that studying a foreign language can 'strengthen memory, enlarge vocabulary, and build appreciation for foreign cultures.'

💡Three-Point Thesis Statement

A three-point thesis statement includes three pieces of evidence supporting the writer's claim. The video highlights that this structure creates the strongest thesis by providing multiple reasons, such as the benefits of learning foreign languages in improving memory, vocabulary, and cultural appreciation.

💡Claim

Claim is the central argument or assertion in the thesis statement. The video presents it as the writer's position or the main point they are trying to prove. In the example given, the claim is 'People should study foreign languages,' which the writer will support with reasons and evidence.

💡Introduction

The introduction is the opening section of a paper where the topic is introduced and the thesis statement is placed. The video explains that the thesis statement should appear at the end of the introduction, setting the stage for the rest of the paper.

💡Road Map

The thesis statement is described as a 'road map' in the video, guiding the reader through the paper's content. It tells the reader what to expect and how the writer's arguments will unfold. This metaphor emphasizes the organizing role of the thesis statement.

💡Writing Prompt

A writing prompt is a question or statement provided by a teacher to guide the topic of the paper. In the video, it is used to determine the subject of the thesis statement. For instance, the prompt 'Explain why or why not people should study a foreign language' directs the writer’s focus to this specific topic.

💡Foreign Language Learning

Foreign language learning is presented as the subject of the sample thesis statement in the video. It is used to demonstrate how to build a thesis, with the claim that learning a foreign language makes individuals smarter. The video lists several benefits of language learning, such as enhancing memory and vocabulary.

Highlights

The thesis statement summarizes your position on the topic of your paper.

The thesis acts as a road map for your readers, telling them what the paper is about.

The thesis statement helps you organize your paper.

A thesis statement is usually one to two sentences long.

The thesis statement should be the last sentence of your introduction.

Use a thesis formula: claim your position plus reason and evidence equals thesis statement.

First, choose the topic of your paper.

Choose your position: for or against the topic.

The claim is your position on the topic.

The reason is the evidence supporting your claim.

A three-point thesis statement is the strongest kind of thesis statement.

A three-point thesis includes three pieces of evidence supporting your claim.

Make your thesis statement stronger by further developing your evidence.

An example thesis: 'People should study a foreign language because it makes them smarter.'

Now you know how to write a thesis statement: claim + reason + evidence = thesis statement.