CHARACTERISTICS 1. It is one sentence. 2. It is the last sentence of the introduction paragraph.

1. Thesis Sentence CHARACTERISTICS 1. It is one sentence. 2. It is the last sentence of the introduction paragraph. 3. It is an opinion/argument to be proved and supported throughout the body of the essay based on facts. 4. Thesis is written in 3rd person (never write: I believe, I think, I will prove) 5. It is always clear, concise, and detailed. (it is never: vague, broad, narrow)

2. Examples • The Native Americans were not able to survive the genocide since they lacked modern weapons to fight against the American government. • Blue= topic • Red=argument • Green=support

3. Examples • Aviation technology drastically improved after World War I, and it was the main reason America was able to defeat the Germans and Japanese during World War II. • Blue= topic • Red=argument • Green=support

4. Non-Examples • I think Native Americans were a dumb group of people. • Blue= topic • Red=argument • Green=support • Writing Error= black

5. Non-Examples • The United States government should make students work hard while in high school. • Blue= topic • Red=argument • Green=support • Black=Writing Error

6. Your Task… Develop a definition for the term “thesis sentence”

7. Is this an Example? I believe the New York Yankees baseball team was the best team in the 1920s since many of their players were inducted into the hall of fame. YES NO

8. Is this an excellent thesis example? America should not have been considered a melting pot since only a specific group of white immigrants were allowed citizenship in the early 1900s. YES NO

9. Is this an excellent thesis example? If the United States government were to require high school students to have a job after school, it would provide valuable experience for teens to learn more about the obligations of having a career. YES NO

10. Is this an excellent thesis example? Weapons changed WWI and WWII. YES NO

11. Is this an excellent thesis example? President McKinley should be valued as America’s best president. YES NO

12. Is this an excellent thesis example? Even though there were many critics of Franklin Roosevelt, the his policies created jobs around the country, which helped to end the Great Depression. YES NO

13. Your Task… Practice writing thesis sentences by creating your own!