Thesis Statements – Key Concepts

Question-and-Answer flashcards reviewing thesis statement definitions, types, identification steps, and evaluation of example sentences.

What is a thesis statement?

A concise sentence (or two) that expresses the main point or argument of an essay or research paper.

How many sentences does a thesis statement usually contain?

One, sometimes two sentences.

Where in an essay is the thesis statement typically located?

As the last sentence in the introduction.

What kind of guidance should a thesis statement give the reader?

It acts as a road map, telling the reader what the paper is about and where it is headed.

If written properly, how should a thesis statement read?

Like an outline in sentence form.

Name the three main kinds of thesis statements tied to paper types.

Expository, argumentative, and analytical.

What does an expository (explanatory) paper do?

Explains a situation, idea, or set of facts to the reader.

What must a thesis do when the goal is to persuade the reader?

Take a clear, specific position and introduce the reasoning that will support it.

What is the primary goal of an argumentative paper?

To convince the audience that a claim is true using specific evidence.

List at least three possible forms an argumentative claim can take.

An opinion, a policy proposal, an evaluation, a cause-and-effect statement, or an interpretation.

Why is the thesis "Because junk food is bad for your health, the size of sodas offered at fast-food restaurants should be regulated by the federal government" considered debatable?

Reasonable people could agree or disagree with regulating soda sizes, making it a defendable claim.

What does an analytical paper do?

Breaks down an issue or idea into parts, evaluates them, and presents the analysis to the audience.

Which two question words do analytical theses most often answer?

"How" and "Why."

Give the example of an analytical thesis provided in the notes.

"The history of the UK’s relationship to the EU is complicated; from the beginning, Britain has been reluctant to fully integrate into Europe, both economically and culturally, but the politics of EU membership has changed throughout the past 50 years."

List the four recommended steps for locating a thesis statement in a text.

1) Read the entire work without highlighting. 2) Write a one- or two-sentence summary. 3) Find a passage that mirrors your summary. 4) Confirm it matches; that passage is likely the thesis.

Is the statement "The Civil War took place between 1861-1865" a thesis statement? (Y/N)

N – It is a factual statement, not an argument.

Is the statement "The Civil War, which took place between 1861-1865, was the most devastating war in United States history" a thesis statement? (Y/N)

Y – It makes an arguable claim about the war’s impact.

Is "Although some people believe that George Washington was the best president, Abraham Lincoln was much better" a thesis statement? (Y/N)

Y – It states a debatable opinion.

Is "Abraham Lincoln was the best president because he fought to keep the country together and fought for the elimination of slavery" a thesis statement? (Y/N)

Y – It gives a clear claim plus supporting reasons.

Is "The Crusades were fought because of religion" a thesis statement? (Y/N)

N – It is overly general and lacks specific argumentation.

Is "The Crusades were fought due to religious fanaticism and a struggle for power in the Holy Land" a thesis statement? (Y/N)

Y – It offers a specific, arguable explanation.

Is the question "How is the Philippine economy affected by forgiving student loans…" a thesis statement? (Y/N)

N – It is a research question, not a declarative thesis.

Is "Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are the best type of sandwich because they are versatile, easy to make, and taste good" a thesis statement? (Y/N)

Y – It presents a claim and supporting reasons.

Is "Puppies are adorable and everyone knows it" a thesis statement? (Y/N)

N – It is an unsupported assertion with no arguable reasoning.

Is "A puppy's cuteness is derived from its floppy ears, small body and playfulness" a thesis statement? (Y/N)

Y – It states a claim and lists specific supporting points.