Thesis-statement. and Philosophy EAPP subject
- 1. • Unit 2: Thesis Statements and Outlining • Lesson 1 • What Is a Thesis Statement? Reported by NASH DOINOG
- 2. LEARNING OBJECTIVES At the end of the lesson, you should be able to do the following: ●Identify the characteristics of a thesis statement. ●Write a strong thesis statement.
- 3. The Thesis Statement ● In the introductory paragraph of your paper, you should state your stand on an issue or question in one sentence. ● This sentence is called a thesis statement. ● Your main idea will dictate the flow of the rest of your paper.
- 4. The Thesis Statement Characteristics of a thesis statement: ● It shows your stand on an issue. ● It answers a question. ● It makes a claim that can be disputed. ● It is a single sentence at the start of your paper that presents your argument to the readers.
- 5. How to Write a Thesis Statement ●Formulating a thesis is not the first thing you do upon receiving an assignment or task. ●A thesis must be the result of a long process of thinking and planning. ●Before you can develop any kind of thesis, you must first do your research on the topic.
- 6. ●Look for information and evidence, then organize them based on the points they make. ●Look for possible relationships between pieces of information. ●Analyze and find the significance of these relationships. How to Write a Thesis Statement
- 7. How to Write a Thesis Statement ●Afterward, you will most likely be able to come up with a “working thesis” that has a basic main idea. ●It’s okay if your thesis and your arguments might need adjustments along the way.
- 8. How to Write a Thesis Statement ●What matters is that you can find substantial evidence to support a more concrete thesis, even if you had to adjust from time to time.
- 9. How to Write a Thesis Statement Example 1 Given the following question: Should the SOGIE Bill be passed in the Philippines? ●Simple thesis statement: “I believe the SOGIE Bill should be passed.” ●Improved thesis statement: “I believe the SOGIE Bill should be passed because it ensures that all basic human rights are available to all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender expression.”
- 10. Make your thesis statement as specific as possible by doing the following: ● expressing just one major idea ● naming the topic and asserting something specific about it ● stating your position or opinion about the issue
- 11. How to Write a Thesis Statement Example 2 Given the assignment: Analyze the state of traffic in Quezon City and propose a possible solution for it. ● Do initial research and observations on the road conditions. ● Possible thesis statement: A possible solution to the traffic situation in Quezon City is to set up carpooling systems in the most densely populated communities and outside large company buildings.
- 12. REMEMBER Make use of the thesis statement to take a stance on an issue that you can support with facts and reasons.
- 13. Writing Strong Thesis Statements ● It is always a good idea to consult with your instructor regarding your thesis statements in order to get some feedback. ● It is also possible to do your own evaluation so that you yourself can fine-tune the thesis statement you have written.
- 14. Writing Strong Thesis Statements ● Am I answering the question? Review the question prompt and your thesis statement. ● Have I taken a position that can possibly be disputed by others? Your thesis has to be persuasive and yet open to opposition. It must not simply be stating facts.
- 15. Writing Strong Thesis Statements ● Is my thesis statement specific enough? Avoid using vague words such as “good” or “successful” and try being more specific. ● Does my thesis statement pass the “So what?” test? If a reader looks at your thesis statement and asks, “So what?” then you might need to make some clarifications, provide a deeper relationship, or connect to a more relevant issue.
- 16. Writing Strong Thesis Statements ●Does the rest of my essay specifically and concretely support my thesis statement? You may sometimes have to modify your thesis statement during the process of writing in order to reflect any newfound knowledge.
- 17. Writing Strong Thesis Statements ●Does my thesis statement pass the “How and why?” test? If your thesis statement is still too open-ended, add a supporting statement that will clarify your position and strengthen your stance.
- 18. REMEMBER A good thesis statement is supported with facts and achieved through hours of research. Creating an initial statement and developing it to be more specific is an excellent way to start your research.
- 19. Writing Strong Thesis Statements Example 1 ● Given the following question: Are the use of metal straws instead of plastic straws helpful in saving the environment? ● If you write a thesis statement based on stock knowledge and without initial research, you might be inclined to write: ● Using metal straws instead of plastic straws is an effective way to reduce the amount of waste in the country.
- 20. ●It is a thesis statement with a clear stand, however remember to avoid vague words such as “effective.” ●Be more concrete in your stance. ●Research why it is effective and add it to your thesis statement. Writing Strong Thesis Statements
- 21. Writing Strong Thesis Statements ● Then, during your research, you could find evidence that shows your initial working thesis should be modified. ● You can still change your thesis to be more concrete and also more supported by the evidence you have found. ● Metal straws are a band-aid solution to the problem of global warming because in mass-producing metal straws for people to use, large companies continue to emit dangerous amounts of CO2 into the environment.
- 22. Writing Strong Thesis Statements ●In your research, you have found a more significant issue to connect to the use of metal straws and have found convincing evidence on it, so you have shifted the direction of your thesis statement. ●You have also made your thesis statement more specific, and you have made your stance clearer in the process.
- 23. Writing Strong Thesis Statements Example 2 ● It is important to take note that you should avoid using jargon or language that is too specific to the topic or discipline, as this will make it unclear for your readers. ● For example: Quarantine and social distancing are effective in fighting COVID-19 because they flatten the curve.
- 24. Writing Strong Thesis Statements ●While the thesis statement makes a clear stand, its reasoning could be unclear to readers who are not familiar with the term “flattening the curve.” ●A better thesis statement would be: Quarantine and social distancing are effective in fighting COVID-19 because they slow down the rate at which people get infected with the virus.
- 25. Writing Strong Thesis Statements ●Technical language and jargon can be used in the different parts of the paper, as long as they are relevant and explained to the readers. ●Avoid using them in thesis statements because they will confuse the readers as to what your main idea is.
- 26. Writing Strong Thesis Statements ●It can also make the thesis statement too lengthy and therefore harder to understand.
- 27. 1.Read the thesis statement in the next slide. 2.Based on the topic being discussed in the thesis statement, strengthen the thesis statement and write an introductory paragraph based on your preliminary research.
- 28. Writing Strong Thesis Statements Plastic wastes thrown in large bodies of water is bad for the environment.
- 29. QUESTIONS 1.What does it mean when your thesis statement is a “working thesis”? 2.What should your thesis statement respond to in order for it to be more effective?
- 30. QUESTIONS What can you do if in the middle of writing your research paper you realize that the data you are using is beginning to contradict your initial thesis statement?
- 31. WRAP UP The thesis statement is a single sentence usually found in the introductory paragraph of a paper that states the main idea and position of the writer.
- 32. WRAP UP The thesis statement is a product of a long thinking and researching process. Consultation and self-evaluation are important in order to develop a stronger thesis statement.