LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET NO: 1

ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES (EAPP)

Module 4: State the Thesis Statement of an Academic Text

I. INTRODUCTION

Effective reading and writing involve critical analysis and a deeper understanding of the topic. In this
lesson, you will learn how to unify ideas and control specific details into a simpler and clearer statement. Also,
you will be able to identify the supporting details from the essays/texts and write, respectively. Thus, knowing
what thesis statement is, will enable you to write an essay/text effectively.

II. VOCABULARY LIST

Here are the terms you will come across as you go through this module:
1. Thesis statement is a single sentence, preferably a simple declarative sentence, that expresses the
basic idea around which the paper will develop. It states the purpose and main idea of your essay to
your audience. The thesis statement declares the main purpose of the entire paper.
2. Claim is an assertion that supports a thesis.
3. Counterclaims are simply the arguments opponents make to refute your claims
4. Evidence is the information that supports a claim and persuades others to believe you.
5. Supporting details are pieces of information necessary to better understand the main idea. They can
be facts, reasons, testimonies, statistics, and experiments that support the topic sentence
6. Major Details directly support the topic sentence
7. Minor Details directly support the major details

III. ACTIVITIES/ LEARNING CONCEPT

TEST A: Each set contains one topic, one thesis statement, and two supporting sentences. Label each item as
T for the topic, TH for the thesis statement, and S for supporting sentences.

SET C
____9. Dogs should be trained at an early age.
____10. A puppy can be housebroken as soon as he or
SET A
she is brought home.
____1. People listen to audiobooks while doing other
____11. Dogs
tasks, such as commuting or
____12. A puppy should be trained not to bite or “mouth”
Exercising.
____2. Audiobooks are more convenient than printed people, especially children.
books for several reasons
____3. Listeners hear dramatization of a printed by actual Set D
author or an actor. ____13. Study skills
____4. Audiobooks. ____14. Time management is essential when juggling
deadlines and other
opportunities.
SET B ____15. Notetaking provides a student with the
____5. A radiologic technology degree allows a person to opportunity to review information later.
work in medical settings ____16. Strong study skills are needed if you want to be
where x-rays, CT scans, MRIs, sonograms, and other successful in college.
diagnostic imaging is
needed.
____6. There are many career opportunities for those in SET E
the medical sciences. ____17. Shingles
____7. A person who obtains a degree in phlebotomy can ____18. People should be aware of the symptoms of
work as a clinical shingles, a neurological disease.
laboratory technician. ____19. Burning pain is one of the first symptoms of
____8. Medical science shingles
____20. Painful skin rash and blisters often follow the
burning pain.

What is a Thesis Statement?

• A controlling idea about the topic that the writer is attempting to prove. It is usually found at the
beginning of the text or at the end of it.
• The central idea of a multiple-paragraph composition. A one-sentence summary that guides, controls,
and unifies ideas when writing a paper. In simple terms, all other ideas present in a text revolve around
the thesis statement.
• The thesis statement may be expressed or implied.
 Why do we have to write a thesis What are the characteristics of a good thesis statement?
statement? ● A good thesis statement takes a stand on the prompt.
We must write a thesis statement for the ff: ● A good thesis statement is specific.
• to test your ideas by narrowing them ● A good thesis statement is unified and expresses one main
into a sentence or two idea.
• to better organize and develop ● A good thesis statement does not simply state a fact but
argument sets the stage for
• to provide the reader with “guide” to analysis of a topic.
the argument

A. A thesis statement, unlike a usual topic or titles, uses a complete sentence. Consider the following:

Necessity of a college education” This is more of a title than a thesis statement

“College education is important” Although is a sentence, this statement is broad
“Getting a college degree is important because it will This is an example of an accurately written
equip a student to become a professional in his/her thesis statement; it has one subject and at least
chosen field and it will widen his/her perspective of the two arguments.
world”.

B. Methods in Writing a Thesis Statement

Through Asking a Question Through Explicit or Implicit Details

Topic: Jogging Topic: Tagaytay
Question: Why jogging is beneficial? Question:
Thesis Statement: Jogging is beneficial because it 1. Is Tagaytay City an enthralling city of the South
positively affects physical well-being and mental fitness. 2. Why is Tagaytay City considered an enthralling
city of the South?
Thesis Statement:
(1) Tagaytay City is an enthralling city of the
South.
(2) Tagaytay City is an enthralling city of the South
because of its beautiful landscape,
amazing people and sumptuous food.
As shown above, one strategy that you can use in writing The topic in the example above is “Tagaytay City.”
a thesis statement is through asking a question. After The first question which was generated
identifying the topic, ask questions that would answer may be answered by a thesis statement with
multiple details. The answer to this question is most likely implied or abstract details. The second question,
your thesis statement. on the other hand, may be answered by a thesis
statement with explicit and concrete details. Note
that both versions of the thesis statement are
acceptable.

C. How to Write an Effective Thesis Statement

POINTS DON’Ts DOs

1. It should be written in a complete Computers are helpful tools in Computers can help a teacher
sentence with clearly stated teaching and researching. effectively impart the lesson and
subject. research information.
2. It should not be too narrow nor too broad, and it should contain at least two details.
3.Avoid an awkward thesis I will tell you about how the An increase in the number of
statement which states the increase in the number of squatters squatters in Metro Manila can be
obvious. in Metro Manila can be attributed to attributed to the effects of
the effects of overpopulation and overpopulation and gentrification.
gentrification.
4. Enumerated details should have Overseas Filipino workers help Overseas Filipino workers help
the same level of significance. If raise the country’s economy, add raise the economy and promote
one of the details can be classified more revenues and promote the the hospitality of Filipinos.
under another detail, you cannot hospitality of Filipinos.
omit.
5. It should not state an absolute Rizal Park is located in Manila. Rizal Park, which is in Manila, is a
fact, because it will not present any reminder of our nationalism and
central idea that can developed revolution.
further. It should have a point.
D. Supporting Details

These details are pieces of information necessary to better understand the main idea. They can be facts,
reasons, testimonies, statistics, and experiments that support the topic sentence.
• Major Details directly support the topic sentence
• Minor Details directly support the major details

TEST B: Now that you know how a thesis statement is made, you can prepare to begin writing your own. For
each general subject, narrow it by giving your limited subject. Then write a thesis statement about each limited
subject.

Example:

GENERAL SUBJECT LIMTED SUBJECT THESIS STATEMENT

Children Disciplining of children We have several effective ways of
disciplining our children.
1. Teenagers __________________ _________________________________
2. COVID 19 __________________ _________________________________
3. Internet __________________ _________________________________
4. Poverty __________________ _________________________________
5. Education __________________ _________________________________

TEST C: Write a thesis statement for each item based on the given topic sentences.
Example:
Topic Sentences: Jogging prevents heart disease.
Jogging prevents some forms of cancer.
Jogging helps treat diabetes.
Thesis Statement: Jogging gives several health benefits and helps prevent various diseases.

1. Topic Sentences: Automated election reduces costs.

It is faster.
Digital archiving of results is also achieved.
Thesis Statement: ____________________________________.

2. Topic Sentences: Korean pop uses wide-ranging audio-visual elements.

It uses synchronized dance formation.
K-pop uses colorful fashion.
Thesis Statement: ____________________________________.

TEST D: Write a topic sentence for each set of supporting details.

1. Supporting Details: Insert your ATM card.

Enter your personal identification number.
Enter the amount of money.
Get your cash and receipt.
Topic Sentence: ____________________________________.

2. Supporting Details: Red stimulates appetite.

Yellow elicits the feeling of comfort when eating.
Green makes you feel that the food you eat is healthy and safe.
Gray decreases your appetite.
Topic Sentence: ____________________________________.

3. Supporting Details: Malware makes the computer stable.

It can be used in hacking and stealing information.
Topic Sentence: ____________________________________.

TEST E: Write three supporting details (major details) for the given topic sentence.
1. Topic Sentence: Lack of sleep has negative effects
Supporting Detail 1: ____________________________________.
Supporting Detail 2: ____________________________________.
Supporting Detail 3: ____________________________________.
TEST F: Read the text carefully and answer the questions that follow. Write
the answer in your activity notebook.

The Golden Age of Comics

(1) The period from the late 1930s to the middle 1940s is known as the golden age of comic books. The
modern comic book came in the early 1930s in the United States as a giveaway premium to promote the sale of
the whole range of household products such as cereal and cleanser. The comic books, which are printed in
bright colours to attract the attentions of potential customers, proved so popular that some publishers decided to
produce comic books that would come out on a monthly basis and would sell for a dime each. Though comic
strips had been reproduced in publications prior to this time, the Famous Funnies comic book, which was started
in 1934, marked the first occasion that a serialized book of comics was attempted.
(2) Early comic books reprinted already existing comic strips and comics based on known characters,
however, publishers soon began introducing original characters developed specially for comic books. Superman
was introduced in Action Comics in 1938, and Batman was introduced a year later. The tremendous success of
these superhero comic books led to the development of numerous comic books on a variety of topics, though
superhero comic book predominated. Astonishingly, by 1945, approximately 160 different comic books were
being published in the United States each month, and 90 percent of US children were said to read comic books
on a regular basis.

Answer the following:

1. Identify the thesis statement of the selection.
2. How are the ideas arranged in the selection? Give at least 5 supporting details based on
the selection.

IV. ASSIGNMENT

Read the following thesis statements. These statements are considered weak since they do not meet
the guidelines in composing a thesis statement. For each item, list the reasons why these are considered
weak. Then revise the weak statements so that they conform to the requirements of a strong thesis. Do this
on long bond paper (handwritten or computer-generated (encoded)) as one of your outputs. Please
follow the given format:

Name: Output No: 1

Section: Date Submitted:
Subject:

STATING A THESIS STATEMENT

1. While cell phones provide freedom and mobility, they can also become a leash, compelling users to answer
them anywhere and at any time.
2. The government must expand its funding for COVID-19 pandemic.
3. In this essay, I will give you a lot of reasons why marijuana should not be legalized in the Philippines
4. Because many children’s toys have potential safety hazards that could lead to injury, it is clear that not all
children’s toys are safe.
5. My experience with young children has taught me that I want to be a disciplinary parent because I believe that
a child without discipline can be a parent’s worst nightmare.