Activity: Thesis Statement Writing

Below are some sets of prewriting where a topic, a message, and three main supporting ideas have been identified (the three parts a thesis statement needs). Please use this information and practice writing some thesis statements.

Example:

Topic: graphic design class 

Message: it has benefited me 

Main supporting ideas: 

learning - I learned software tools such as Adobe Illustrator and Blender 

portfolio - I gained the opportunity to put together a portfolio 

networking - I arranged a great internship for this summer

Thesis Statement: I benefited from my graphic design class through the software I learned, the portfolio I created, and the networking I did.

Exercises:

1. Topic: winning the state championship football game my senior year 

Message: many causes led up to the win 

Main supporting ideas: 

hard work 

a great coach 

strong cooperation with team-mates

Thesis Statement:


2. Topic: the word "love" 

Message: has had a number of meanings in my life 

Main supporting ideas: 

love of the inanimate (places, hobbies, ideas, etc…) 

love of friends and family 

romantic/sexual love

Thesis Statement:

3. Topic: my Mother 

Message: is an incredibly strong person 

Main supporting ideas: 

she has made numerous sacrifices for her family 

she is constantly working to improve herself 

she has kept the family together through some very hard times

Thesis Statement:


4. Topic: my college choice 

Message: there were many reasons I chose to attend the college I did 

Main supporting ideas: 

proximity 

reputation 

programs

Thesis Statement:

5. Topic: making chocolate chip cookies

Message: there are many steps involved 

Main supporting ideas: 

preparation 

making the dough 

finishing the cookies

Thesis Statement:

Source: Erin Severs
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