Diocese of Imus Catholic Education System, Inc.

(DICES)
Saint Augustine School
Daang Amaya 3. Tanza, Cavite, Philippines 4108
Tel. No. (046) – 436-6532

SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET

Name: _____________________________________Act. No.: ________ Remarks

Please check the box for the type of the activity:
Concept Notes Illustrations/Examples Exercises Questions/Problems Formal Theme Worksheet

Topic: FORMULATING THESIS STATEMENT

CONCEPT NOTES
DECIDING ON A SPECIFIC TOPIC

Once you have decided on the topic you want to work on and have narrowed it down, the next step is to decide
what you want to say about it. Recall the criteria for choosing what topic to research on. It is important to remember
that the topic you choose should not only meet the requirements of the course and of the teacher. It should also meet
your own requirements. This means your interest in the topic should be strong enough to carry you through the entire
search process. If you have a natural curiosity about the topic and are genuinely interested in finding out more about it,
you have a better chance of going through the research process and seeing it through to the end.

You may sometimes forget, especially as beginning researchers, that when you decide on a specific topic, you
also have to decide on what you want to say about it. For example, it is not enough just to say you want to write about
television. Even if almost everyone you know may be interested in television, this is still too broad a topic to work on.

So, you can ask yourself: “What do I want to know more about TV?” “What do I find most interesting about it?”
Perhaps one of the thing you do when you get home from school is to watch the news. You notice that the headline
usually go together with brief but attention-grabbing videos. The news videos cover major events of the day. Because
these videos cover real-life events, they are quite striking. The videos can be graphic as well.

You then wonder what effects can such graphic TV news video have on the viewers. Notice that from the broad
subject television your interest has narrowed it down to the possible effects of graphic news video on viewers. From the
broad topic that is your general area of interest, you re-“visioned” it into a question that needs to be answered: What
effects do graphic news video have on viewers especially the young?

Thesis Statement Formulation

The preliminary readings that you have conducted so far will give you some background information about your
topic. You know a little more now than when you first started. This added information will help put your topic in context.
It will also help you make decisions about your topic.

Once you arrive at a specific topic, ask yourself what you think about it. Specifically, where do you stand as far as
your topic is concerned? What is your opinion about it? What do you want to prove in your paper?

The opinion you form about your topic is your thesis. A thesis statement is the main idea of your paper. It is the
one sentence that provides the controlling idea. Look at it as an umbrella sentence that covers all the main points you
will discuss in your paper.

Think of the following equation as a guide to help you come up with a thesis statement. THESIS = SPECIFIC TOPIC
+ SPECIFIC CLAIM.

If you think that the graphic news videos in TV news programs do more harm than good, then your claim can
focus on the negative effects. If we go by the formula, a tentative thesis statement can look something like this:

RESEARCH SHS-SAS-T Page 1

REFERENCE: Miranda-Plata, S. et al. (2006). Research Process and Product Workbook. Trailblazer Publications
 Diocese of Imus Catholic Education System, Inc. (DICES)
Saint Augustine School
Daang Amaya 3. Tanza, Cavite, Philippines 4108
Tel. No. (046) – 436-6532

SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

Specific topic: the use of graphic videos in TV news programs

Specific claim: can have negative effect

Thesis = The use of graphic videos in TV news programs can have a negative effect on young
viewers.

Thesis = TV news programs that show graphic videos affect young viewers in a negative way.

 The thesis statement should provide a single line of focus. You may have a lot to say about your topic, however,
you have to provide a clear focal point.

Poor example:
Although viruses can be considered the worst nightmare that can happen to a computer system, they
are actually system-related errors that mimic the effects of viruses but may not be technically viruses, and what
we need is as a set of controlling tactics that will not just prevent one viral attack but will also be advantageous
for use by others.

Better:
Computer viruses can sabotage an entire computer system due to three unique mechanisms: self-
replication, self-abstraction, and encryption.

 The thesis statement must set limits on a topic. Keep in mind how long your paper should be. Your thesis should
cover only what is required. You don’t want to fill your paper with information that may be irrelevant to the
point you want to make about your topic.

Poor example:
The tsunami that hit Indonesia in December 2004 has exposed for the entire world to see how
unprepared and ill-equipped the government of Indonesia was as a result of the corruption that affects so many
of the poor countries in the world.

Better:
Because of the immeasurable damage tsunamis can cause, a warning system that is cost-effective,
efficient, and reliable must be established.

 The thesis statement is not the topic or the title or question. You may sometime take for granted that just
because you have settled on a topic that you want to write about, you think you have a thesis statement
already. The topic or title is just one half of the thesis statement. The other half is what you want to say about it.

Poor example:
The threat of Agroterrorism or how real is the threat of Agricultural Terrorism?

Better:
Although the spread of agriculture-related diseases such as foot and mouth disease and avian influenza
is alarming, the long-term consequences of an outbreak of these diseases can be lessened through increased
vigilance by government of vulnerable countries.

Another way to formulate a thesis statement is to state a claim. Examples are given in the table.

THESIS STATEMENT AS A CLAIM EXAMPLES REQUIRED SUPPORT

RESEARCH SHS-SAS-T Page 1

REFERENCE: Miranda-Plata, S. et al. (2006). Research Process and Product Workbook. Trailblazer Publications
 Diocese of Imus Catholic Education System, Inc. (DICES)
Saint Augustine School
Daang Amaya 3. Tanza, Cavite, Philippines 4108
Tel. No. (046) – 436-6532

SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

Claims of definition We need to define sex education Quote authorities, comparison and
before we discuss whether it should contrast, formal and extended
be implemented in schools. definition

This paper intends to show the

importance of defining sex education
before it is implemented in schools.

Claims of cause If we just follow the 12 little things Facts or statistics, induction or
that Filipinos can do for their deduction, cause-effect organization
 What are the causes? country, our country will change from
 What are the effects the inside out.

Youth organizations are powerful

catalyst of change in the country.

Claims of value Using biofuel is one of the most Appeal to the audience’s values,
practical solutions to air pollution in quotations from authorities, claim-
 Is it good or bad? the country. reason pattern
 What are the criteria that I
can use to evaluate its merit Although the initial cost is high when
or demerit? car owners shift to biofuel, in the
long run it is cheaper and is more
environment-friendly.

Claims of policy Companies should reduce the Statistics, authorities as proof,

production of goods that are difficult problem-solution pattern
 What should we do? to recycle.
 How can we solve this
problem? Although, there are recycling plants
in the country, companies should still
reduce the production of goods that
are difficult to recycle to save the
environment.

*Types of claims according to Wood (2001)

You will notice in the examples of thesis statements that there are three formats. The first format states a
position such as the first example on sex education. On the other hand, the second example is a thesis statement that
gives the intent of the paper. Finally, the last example in the table is a thesis statement that informs the reader about
the two sides of the issue that will be presented.

RESEARCH SHS-SAS-T Page 1

REFERENCE: Miranda-Plata, S. et al. (2006). Research Process and Product Workbook. Trailblazer Publications