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How to Know If Your Thesis Sentence Is Actually a Thesis Sentence 2350 Views


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Description:

We'll teach you how to get your thesis statement to stand on its own two feet instead of wobbling around like a newborn Rudolph. No stumbles allowed, but glowing noses are certainly encouraged.

Language:
English Language

Transcript

00:04

How to Know If Your Thesis Sentence Is Actually a Thesis Sentence, a la Shmoop.

00:09

Would you be able to pick a thesis statement out of a line-up?

00:13

If, say… it had accosted you in the park and stolen your purse?

00:18

Hopefully it will never come to that. Regardless, you should be able to spot a thesis sentence

00:22

when you see one… and you’d better be able to recognize a pretender, too.

00:28

Your thesis statement is one that sums up your entire argument. If your teacher is feeling

00:32

particularly lazy, he should be able to read just your thesis and figure out what you’re

00:37

trying to say. Your thesis needs to do four things.

00:46

First, it needs to take a stand. Here’s a sample thesis without a leg to

00:53

stand on: “A juice maker provides a person with a lot of awesome health benefits.”

01:00

That sentence is not a thesis sentence. That sentence falls right over, spilling juice

01:04

all over the place, and staining your favorite shirt.

01:08

Second, your thesis needs to justify discussion. Honestly, is anyone going to want to talk

01:14

about your awesome juice maker? Unless this is an infomercial, then no.

01:25

Third, your thesis needs to express one main idea.

01:30

Not two. Not half an idea. One.

01:34

Finally, your thesis needs to be specific. Hone that thing into a point so sharp you

01:39

could poke somebody’s eye out.

01:42

Let’s go back to that horrible thesis statement about a juicer. It’s so dull, it wouldn’t

01:48

pop a balloon.

01:51

What about this one instead:

01:53

“Juicing provides nutrients that a person doesn’t normally get from their daily meals.”

01:58

It meets all four requirements:

02:02

Takes a stand.

02:04

Justifies discussion.

02:05

Expresses one idea.

02:07

Is super specific.

02:09

Now there’s a thesis sentence with a leg to stand on.

02:13

Especially if it’s been juicing.

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