Thesis Map

What is a Thesis Map
Misconceptions
Students often think that a thesis statement is a
topic sentence.
Students think a thesis statement can be at the
beginning of the introduction paragraph.
Students do not understand the purpose of a
thesis statement and how it functions in an
essay.
Students do not understand the importance of
the structure of a thesis statement.
Key Terms
Topic
This is the topic you are writing about
Example: Vanilla Ice cream
Opinion
This is your opinion on the topic you are writing
about
Example: It's the best flavor
Three Main Points
Three supporting points for your opinion on
your topic
Example: it is the most versatile flavor, it is one
of the most popular flavors, and it is the basis
for other ice cream flavors
THESIS+TOPIC+ THREE MAIN POINTS =
THESIS
THESIS
A onesentence statement in the last paragraph
of your introductory paragraph in an essay.
Example: Vanilla ice cream is the best flavor
because it is the most versatile flavor, it is one
of the most popular flavors, and it is the basis
for other ice cream flavors.
Future Topics
The appropriate time to use less than three
main points
The appropriate time to use more than three
main points
Writing thesis statements in first person
Writing thesis statements in one OR two
sentences
Prior Knowledge
Students already know:
How to organize a paragraph
How to write a topic sentence
How to write a concluding sentence
How to establish main points in multiple
paragraph writing.
How to write a topic sentence in first person
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