Thesis

Statement
Thesis Statement
• is a sentence that sums up the central point of your
paper or essay.

• It explains to a reader the main idea of the essay, and

the writer's opinion on that idea.

• It is located in the introductory paragraph, almost always

at the end of that paragraph.

• It usually consists of a single sentence.

The spread of the internet has had a world-changing
effect, not least on the world of education. The use
of the internet in academic contexts and among
young people more generally is hotly debated. For
many who did not grow up with this technology, its
effects seem alarming and potentially harmful. This
concern, while understandable, is misguided. The
negatives of internet use are outweighed by its many
benefits for education: the internet facilitates easier
access to information, exposure to different
perspectives, and a flexible learning environment for
both students and teachers.
Although surveillance is viewed
negatively by many people, it has
more positive social effect than
negative.
• The thesis statement represents a promise
to the reader that the essay will focus only
on the stated topic – it limits the scope of
the essay.

• The thesis statement expresses the

writer’s opinion about the topic.
• The thesis statement represents a promise to
the reader that everything in the thesis will be
explained and supported.

• The thesis statement contains two essential

elements: (1) the narrow topic and (2) the
writer’s opinion or claim about that topic.
Although surveillance is viewed
negatively by many people, it has
more positive social effect than
negative.

Topic
Opinion
• The thesis statement does not contain any
specific details, which are reserved for
support in the body paragraphs.

• The thesis statement is never expressed

as a question.
• With very rare exceptions, the thesis
statement is not expressed as a promise
or statement of intention.

• Very often the thesis statement will

include a third element: an essay
map/direction.
oThe essay map lists the ideas or points the writer will
use to support the thesis.
Although surveillance is viewed
negatively by many people, it has more
positive social effect than negative.
Greater surveillance in public areas helps
maintain public order and ensures the
personal safety of citizens.

Topic
Opinion
Essay Map/Direction
• The essay map/direction lists those ideas
or points in the order in which they will be
discussed in the essay.

• In other words, the essay map provides

the reader with a map of the route the
essay will travel.
• The essay map/direction very often
appears as a “because” clause

Although surveillance is viewed negatively by

many people, it has more positive social effect
than negative, because greater surveillance in
public areas helps maintain public order and
ensures the personal safety of citizens.
• The essay map/direction may be part of
the thesis statement or may be a
separate statement before or after the
thesis statement.
Although surveillance is viewed negatively by
many people, it has more positive social effect
than negative. Greater surveillance in public areas
helps maintain public order and ensures the
personal safety of citizens.
The spread of the internet has had a world-changing
effect, not least on the world of education. The use
of the internet in academic contexts and among
young people more generally is hotly debated. For
many who did not grow up with this technology, its
effects seem alarming and potentially harmful. This
concern, while understandable, is misguided. The
negatives of internet use are outweighed by its many
benefits for education: the internet facilitates easier
access to information, exposure to different
perspectives, and a flexible learning environment for
both students and teachers.
How to Write
a Thesis
Statement
Step 1: Start with a question
• As soon as you’ve decided on your essay topic, you need to work
out what you want to say about it—a clear thesis will give your
essay direction and structure.

• What would you like to find out or decide about your topic?

Example: Internet on education

Has the internet had a positive or negative impact on
education?
Step 2: Write your initial answer
• After some initial research, you can formulate a tentative answer
to this question. At this stage it can be simple, and it should
guide the research process and writing process.

The answer to your question could be:

The internet has had more of a positive than a negative
effect on education.
Step 3: Develop your answer
• Now you need to consider why this is your answer
and how you will convince your reader to agree with
you. As you read more about your topic and begin
writing, your answer should get more detailed.
Step 4: Refine your thesis statement
• The final thesis statement doesn’t just state your position, but
summarizes your overall argument or the entire topic you’re going
to explain.

Your refined thesis statement could be:

The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its many

benefits for education: it facilitates easier access to
information, exposure to different perspectives, and a
flexible learning environment for both students and teachers.
Thesis statement should avoid the following:
• The first person (I believe, In my opinion, etc.)

• Unclear language (It seems, Maybe, It looks like)

• Attempting two topics at once (even if they seem

related). Pick one and stick with it.

• Just stating a fact - It should be something you plan to

make an argument about.
A thesis statement should not be too
broad/general.

Too Broad:
PWC is a good school.

Better:
PWC provides opportunities for students' growth, making
it a good school of choice.
A thesis statement should not be wordy
Wordy:
The current government should focus and provide more programs in
agriculture, education, poverty, unemployment, and the rising prices
of the basic good, because these are what they promised to focus
and resolve; the problem in these sectors are getting worse each
day while the people do not see any improvement and actions that
the current government take.

Better:
The current government should do better by prioritizing agriculture,
education, poverty, unemployment, and the rising prices of basic
goods.
A thesis statement should not be a title

Title:
The Incompetence of our Leaders.

Better:
Although people say that they are satisfied with
their leadership, there are still factors that would
prove that our leaders are incompetent.
A thesis statement should not be just a statement of fact

Fact:
Congress authorized the allocation of P150 million
worth of confidential and intelligence funds in
DepEd’s 2023 budget.

Better:
There are problems and issues in education where
the P150 million confidential and intelligence funds
deserves to be allocated.
• Your thesis will look a bit different depending
on the type of essay you’re writing.
Argumentative Essay

Your thesis statement should take a strong position. Your

aim in the essay is to convince your reader of this thesis
based on evidence and logical reasoning.
Due to the harmful effects of watching television,
parents should strictly monitor the amount of
time children spend in front of the television, as
well as the programs they watch.

Topic
Opinion
Action
Expository/Explanatory Essay

Explain the facts of a topic or process. Your thesis

statement doesn’t have to include a strong
opinion in this case, but it should clearly state the
central point you want to make, and mention the
key elements you’ll explain.
People often think all planets are alike,
but there are actually three types of
planets in the solar system – terrestrial,
gas giants, and planetoids.

Topic
Key Elements/Essay Map/Direction
Thesis Statement and Topic Sentence
Thesis statement - contains the main point or
argument of a whole essay.

Topic sentence - contains the main point of a

paragraph.
The spread of the internet has had a world-changing
effect, not least on the world of education. The use
of the internet in academic contexts and among
young people more generally is hotly debated. For
many who did not grow up with this technology, its
effects seem alarming and potentially harmful. This
concern, while understandable, is misguided. The
negatives of internet use are outweighed by its many
benefits for education: the internet facilitates easier
access to information, exposure to different
perspectives, and a flexible learning environment for
both students and teachers.
Identify if the following is a good
thesis statement:
In this essay, I will discuss the crime rate in our nation.
Many people do not like to watch violent horror movies.
Rap music is the best music ever.
Spot the thesis statement
Oscar Wilde was an Irish poet and playwright.
After writing in different forms throughout the
1880s, he became one of the most popular
playwrights in London in the early 1890s.
Despite his claim that art needs no justification
or purpose, his works advocates Irish
nationalism, women’s suffrage, and socialism.
Oscar Wilde was an Irish poet and playwright.
After writing in different forms throughout the
1880s, he became one of the most popular
playwrights in London in the early 1890s.
Despite his claim that art needs no justification
or purpose, his works advocates Irish
nationalism, women’s suffrage, and socialism.
 Group
Activity
Explain why the following are bad thesis statements.
Refine them and describe why your version is better.
Group 1
PWC provided a whole-day class schedule for SHS students.

Group 2
What are the factors that contribute to students’ failed grades?
Group 3
Teachers have influenced my life.

Group 4
President Marco’s First Year as Philippine President.
Assessment
Spot the thesis statement of the given paragraph and
answer the following questions:

1.What is the topic?

2.What is the writer’s opinion about the topic?

3.Based on your chosen thesis statement, what do you

expect the writer would write in his/her essay?
The use of power for personal interest or gains is
termed as corruption. It is a common problem that
leads to various other serious issues. It occurs at
various levels in our country. From the general
public to the political leaders to the big
businessmen – everyone is contributing to this
problem and making it bigger by the day.