Effective Thesis Statements

Thesis Statement: Final sentence in the intro ¶.

· Claim/statement of opinion re: a specific topic

· Directed toward an identifiable audience

· Tells the reader what to know (informative), think (convincing), or do (persuasive)

· Supportable: Lends itself to reasons/examples

*Santa Clara County voters should vote “No” on Prop. 14 due to the financial hardship it will cause.

Examples:

*Who is the intended audience for each? Which is a “think,” which is a “know,” and which is a “do”?

1. Smokers who still smoke pre-made cigarettes need to seriously consider rolling their own.

2. Knowing how to file for divorce is the most crucial information a mail-order bride can have.

3. Family Guy is funnier than the Simpsons.

Characteristics of an Effective Thesis:

· Not too broad, too vague, or too narrow

Broad: We need to bring the troops home.

Vague: Pro-lifers have a respectable stance.

Narrow: Eng. 1A is a graduation requirement.

· Strong; confident (no I; no announcements)

· Only states one idea

Negative Example: Smoking not only shortens a person’s life, but it also shortens the lives of those with whom the smoker lives/associates.

· Directed to a narrowed target audience (A certain group needs to hear your argument.)

· Sparks interest (Don’t write about what your reader already knows, already agrees with, or is already doing.)

· Conveys purpose (Know, think, or do is clear)