How to Develop Strong Thesis Statements?
Introduction (IELTS and TOEFL Opinion Essays)
Jeenn Lee Hsieh ielts360toefl@hotmail.com
谢振礼老师写作课程：申论主题
Thesis statements (in the introduction) must make a claim or argument. They are opinions, not statements of fact.
Purdue OWL (Online Writing Lab.):
"An argumentative or persuasive piece of writing must begin with a debatable thesis or claim. In other words, the thesis must be something that people could reasonably have differing opinions on. If your thesis is something that is generally agreed upon or accepted as fact, then there is no reason to try to persuade people."
"Regardless of the type of claim you choose to utilize, it is key to identify the controversy or debate you are addressing and to define your position early on in the paper."
The thesis needs to be narrow:
"Although the scope of your paper might seem overwhelming at the start, generally the narrower the thesis, the more effective your argument will be. Your thesis or claim must be supported by evidence. The broader your claim is, the more evidence you will need to convince readers that your position is right."
--Example of a thesis that is too broad:
Bad>Drug use is detrimental to society.
--Example of a narrow or focused thesis:
Better>Illegal drug use is detrimental to society because it usually encourages gang violence.
Note: Qualifiers such as "typically," "generally," "usually," or "on average" also helps to limit the scope of your claim by allowing for the almost inevitable exception to the rule.
Tips about writing thesis statements (from Jeenn Lee Hsieh):
>Thesis Statements are arguable because they are opinions that require the support of evidence. The are not facts because facts do not need proof:
(Your introduction must have a thesis statement. It is the most important sentence in your essay because it tells the reader exactly what your opinion is, and because it is the promise from the writer to the reader. A thesis is an opinion, not a fact. It should be simple and direct and 'arguable'. When sitting for an IELTS or TOEFL essay test, you should present your position to answer the question. An effective thesis statement is straight to the point.)
The following thesis statements are selected from Jeenn Lee Hsieh's sample essays: (For more examples, write to ielts360toefl@hotmail.com )
Violence on television may contribute to violence in society.
Generally, one's favorite room in the house is one's bedroom.
On average, studying with a group of people is better than to studying alone.
Though people argue that examinations cause stress and tension in students, actually they are important in evaluating the student's knowledge.
As a rule, to allow capitals to flow in, the door must be open.
Gun control laws are needed to prevent violent crimes.
School uniforms are beneficial to students, parents and teachers.
Though a university is an academic body, its social side should not be overlooked.
The comparison between the level of individual dependence and that of independence in today's society is not a black and white issue.
The mass media's enormous emphasis of violent crimes does not make all of us criminals.
Though teenagers are under no obligation to do community work, an amount of volunteering on their part is beneficial to the community and to themselves as well.
Learning English as a foreign language early in life benefits students on a long-term basis.
Television knows no night, but people should control their screen time.
Money is not the only solution to pollution problems, but it can certainly make a difference by repairing the damage done to environment.
Nothing is like home, to be sure, but living in a parent-free environment can be one of the fun things in your college life.
Do not confuse a university degree with a successful life, even though higher education can open doors to a range of options.
It is arguable that government rules can easily become obstacles to scientific achievements.
Museums should feel free to charge admission so as not to entirely count on government funding, particularly in a climate of austerity.
Richness is not everything that can help the poor, but it can always a great difference.
Ours is a throw-away society strongly influenced by consumerism as we value convenience over environmental protection.
Family members are not as close today as in the past due to social and economic evolution.
All things being considered, even those honorable people who highly stress the importance of honesty choose lying when absolutely necessary.
It is not only the flesh and blood but also the family environment that parents influence their children in a variety of aspects.
Ironically, childhood obesity is among the easiest to recognize and yet the most difficult to treat.
As often as not, what we call progress is one problem in exchange for another problem.
To be interested in the changing seasons is usually in a happier state of mind than to be only in love of spring forever.
Nowadays employers are highly selective: requiring employees to have both academic proficiency and social flexibility.
Help from one's family is always a great advantage to one's achieving success, in the faster and easier way.
Each friendship can serve a purpose in your life--some just for fun and some offering more.
