This document provides guidance on developing and supporting a thesis statement. It defines a thesis statement as the central idea or position of an essay that explains what the essay will be about. The document recommends starting with prewriting to come up with an idea, then formulating a working thesis and refining it to be specific, focused on one central point, and original. It stresses using evidence such as examples, statistics, and expert opinions to support the thesis. The document also provides tips on choosing the best evidence, placing the thesis, and citing sources to academically support the thesis.

1. Developing and
Supporting a Thesis
I have an idea, now what?

2. • Thesis statement (or central thought)
• Main point of an essay
• Explain what the essay will be about and expresses the
writer’s position on the subject
• Does for an essay what a topic sentence does for a
paragraph
• Example
• Playing team sports, especially football and baseball,
develops skills and qualities that can make you successful in
life because these sports demand communication,
teamwork, and responsibility
What is a Thesis
Statement?

3. • The idea for your thesis usually will come from your
prewriting.
• Don’t expect to sit down and just write it.
• Working Thesis
• Go over your prewriting and highlight details that link to
the same subtopic.
• Write a word or phrase that describes each group
• Example on page 106
Developing Your Thesis

4. • Make an assertion
• Assertion – takes a position, expresses a view point,
suggests your approach to a topic
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Be specific
Focus on ONE central point
Offer an original perspective on your topic
Avoid making an announcement
Use your thesis to preview the organization of the essay
Writing an Effective
Thesis Statement

5. • Thesis statements should always be in the FIRST (or
introductory) paragraph.
• It can go anywhere in that paragraph
Placement

6. • Evidence
• Any type of information that will convince your reader that
your thesis is reasonable or correct
• Examples, statistics, expert opinion
• This evidence is then organized into paragraphs to make up the
body of your essay.
Support Your Thesis with
Evidence

7. • Analyze your purpose, audience, and thesis to determine what types
of evidence will be most effective.
• Unfamiliar audience
• Definitions, historical background, explanation , factual and descriptive
details
• Persuade
• Compare/contrast, advantages/disadvantages, examples, problems,
statistics, and quotes.
• Table 5.1 on page 110
• What types of evidence would you use for this thesis statement
(informative essay):
• “The pressure to become financially independent is a challenge for
many young adults and often causes them to develop social and
emotional problems.”
Choosing Types of
Evidence

8. • Visualize yourself speaking to your audience.
• Develop a skeletal outline of major headings with plenty
of blank space under each.
• Draw a graphic organizer of your essay, filling in
supporting evidence as you think of it.
• Discuss your thesis statement with a classmate; try to
explain why he or she should accept your thesis as valid.
Collect Your Evidence

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Make sure the evidence is relevant.
Provide specific evidence.
Offer a variety of evidence.
Provide a sufficient amount of evidence.
Provide representative evidence.
Provide accurate evidence.
Choose the Best Evidence

10. • For academic writing
• Personal experiences and opinions are not considered valid
evidence
• Use objective evidence
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Facts
Statistics
Historical background
Research evidence
Expert opinion
Choosing Evidence for
Academic Writing

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Use your library
NC Live
Interviews
Newspapers
Professional Magazines/Journals
See Ch. 19 for more ideas
Using Sources to Support
Your Thesis