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Thesis Statement
Purpose of a Thesis Statement
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Clearly states the central
idea of the essay
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Limits the topic to a
controlling idea about the subject
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Orients your reader to your
subject matter
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Provides a purpose for your
research or makes a point
Guidelines for a Thesis
Statement
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Consider the audience in
selecting your subject
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Be sure there is a
controlling idea that is clearly stated
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Make sure there is only one
controlling idea
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Avoid an announcement
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Use specific language
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Make sure the statement is
neither too narrow nor too broad
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Establish an appropriate
tone for the subject matter and intended audience
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May have a plan of
development that informs the reader of the steps in the essay
Tips for Writing the Thesis
Statement
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Carefully read the
assignment and make sure you are on the right track
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Pre-write (brainstorm) about
your topic, narrowing down your ideas
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Make sure the statement is
personally tailored to your claim and not something that anyone else
could have written
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Ask yourself “So what?” to
clarify your ideas
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Avoid first person unless it
is specifically required in the assignment
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Revise the statement after
you have completed your essay
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