Thesis Statements and Essay Outlines

25 Question-and-Answer flashcards covering thesis statements, their construction, common pitfalls, and outlining principles and formats.

What is the purpose of a thesis statement in an essay?

It states the main idea of the essay and the writer’s opinion or position on that idea.

What does a thesis statement explain to a reader?

The core topic of the essay and the writer’s stance on that topic.

Where is a thesis statement most commonly placed?

In the introductory paragraph, usually as one concise sentence.

How many sentences does a thesis statement normally contain?

Typically one sentence.

In the thesis-writing process, what is Step 1?

State the general topic under consideration.

Give an example of stating a topic for a thesis.

Example topic: “Cats.”

In the thesis-writing process, what is Step 2?

State the specific issue about the topic in the form of a debating proposition.

Provide an example of stating the issue for the topic “Cats.”

“Cats should be subject to leash laws.”

In the thesis-writing process, what is Step 3?

Combine your position with a rationale (a ‘because’ clause).

Give an example of a complete position + rationale for the cat topic.

“Cats should be subject to leash laws because they are natural wanderers.”

Why should a thesis statement not be too broad?

A broad thesis is vague and cannot be thoroughly supported; e.g., “The world is a magnificent place to live.”

Why should a thesis statement not be too wordy?

Excess wording obscures the main claim; revise lengthy lists into a concise statement.

Why should a thesis statement not be too general?

An overly general claim lacks focus and specific direction for the essay.

Why should a thesis statement not be a mere title?

A title only names a topic; a thesis must present an arguable claim, e.g., “The cost of living in Mountain City is lower than in most U.S. cities.”

Why should a thesis statement not be a simple fact?

Facts cannot be argued; a thesis must take a debatable position.

After formulating a thesis statement, what is the next major step?

Creating an outline for the essay.

Define an outline in essay writing.

A map that shows what information each section or paragraph will contain and in what order.

List two reasons outlining is helpful.

1) Keeps the essay organized and focused on the thesis. 2) Saves drafting time by providing a clear structure.

Name the two basic types of outline.

Topic outline and sentence outline.

What characterizes a topic outline?

Headings are expressed in single words or brief phrases.

What characterizes a sentence outline?

All headings and subheadings are written as complete sentences.

What consistency rule should be followed when writing an outline?

Use the same grammatical form throughout (all phrases or all sentences).

What are the two common outline formats?

Alphanumeric outline and decimal outline.

What symbols are used in an alphanumeric outline?

Roman numerals (I, II), capital letters (A, B), Arabic numerals (1, 2), and lowercase letters (a, b).

How does a decimal outline show hierarchy?

It uses decimal notation (e.g., 1, 1.1, 1.1.1) so each level clearly relates to the larger whole.