ESL - How to write a good THESIS STATEMENT

Summary

In this educational video, Mr. P teaches how to craft a compelling thesis statement for essays. He distinguishes between a topic and a thesis, emphasizing the need for specificity. Mr. P outlines the components of a thesis—topic, controlling idea, and subtopics—and illustrates with examples. He advises on avoiding common pitfalls like general statements, multiple ideas, and non-debatable claims. The video concludes with practice exercises and templates for strong argumentative theses, encouraging viewers to apply these lessons to enhance their writing skills.

Takeaways

• 📝 A thesis statement is a sentence that tells the reader the topic, the writer's opinion on it, and how it will be proved.
• 🎯 The difference between a topic and a thesis statement is that a topic is a general subject, while a thesis statement is specific and includes the writer's viewpoint.
• 🤔 A thesis statement should answer the question posed in the paper and can be broken down into topic, controlling idea, and subtopics.
• 🚫 Avoid starting a thesis statement with phrases like 'I am going to talk about' or 'This essay will focus on'.
• 📉 Avoid making thesis statements too general, as they should be specific and supportable.
• 🚫 Do not include multiple ideas in a single thesis statement; a good essay should focus on one main idea.
• 💡 A strong argumentative thesis should be debatable, not a fact or a belief that cannot be supported with evidence.
• 📚 Use a clear template for a strong argumentative thesis, such as 'Avoiding X is good because it leads to Y' or 'It is true that X, thus Y'.
• 📈 Practice creating thesis statements by choosing the correct one based on given prompts and comparing them to examples provided.
• 👋 Engage with the content by asking questions, subscribing to the channel, liking the video, and sharing the lesson.

Q & A

What is a thesis statement according to the video?

A thesis statement is a sentence that tells the reader the topic of your essay, what you think about it, and possibly how you're going to prove it.

How is a topic different from a thesis statement?

A topic is a general subject of your essay that should be narrow and specific, while a thesis statement is one to two sentences that tell the reader the topic and what you will say about it.

What are the three parts of a thesis statement?

The three parts of a thesis statement are the general topic, the controlling idea, and the subtopics. These are the areas you will focus on to support your idea.

Can you provide an example of a thesis statement from the video?

An example from the video is: 'Libraries are essential resources for communities and should be funded more generously by local municipalities since they provide immigrants with helpful information about and opportunities to connect with their new community.'

What is the difference between a direct and an indirect thesis statement?

A direct thesis statement outlines the main idea and the organization of the essay for the reader, while an indirect thesis statement introduces the topic but does not outline the supporting ideas, requiring the reader to read the essay to learn about these points.

What mistakes should be avoided when writing a thesis statement?

Mistakes to avoid include announcing the subject of the essay, using general statements that cannot be fully supported, including too many ideas, and using non-debatable or outrageous claims.

Why should you avoid using expressions like 'I am going to talk about' in your thesis statement?

Using expressions like 'I am going to talk about' makes the thesis statement less direct and less informative for the reader, as it does not clearly state the main argument or position of the essay.

What is an argumentative thesis and why is it important?

An argumentative thesis is a debatable claim that the writer will argue and support with evidence. It is important because it provides a clear position that the essay will defend, allowing for a focused and persuasive argument.

What is the suggested template for a strong argumentative thesis according to the video?

The video suggests using a template that includes a clear claim followed by the reason or evidence supporting it, such as 'Avoiding fast food is good because it leads to preventable and expensive health issues such as diabetes, obesity, and heart disease.'

How can you practice creating thesis statements as suggested in the video?

The video suggests practicing by choosing the correct thesis statement based on given prompts, such as 'It is time for higher education to use gaming to appeal to students and make learning more engaging' or 'Animal abuse laws in most states are so lenient that offenders face almost no punishment, so stronger stricter laws are necessary to protect animals.'