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Activities to Teach How to Write A Thesis Statement

Research Writing , Secondary Literacy , Writing

If there’s any literacy skill you would want your English Language Arts students to master, it would probably be how to write a thesis statement . If you want to teach your students how to write powerful, eloquent, and exceptionally captivating thesis statements, then you’ll love the activities in this article.

The key to any good essay is a strong thesis statement. A strong thesis statement sets the tone and clarifies the author’s purpose : it tells you the writer’s opinion, along with the level of thought and criticism that has gone into formulating it.

A strong thesis statement also creates an alluring introduction paragraph. This makes each paper in your grading pile a lot more inviting.

How do you teach students to write a thesis statement to make their audience continue reading? This blog post explores six activities to teach how to write a thesis statement.

1. Differentiate Between Strong and Weak Thesis Statements

Writing a thesis statement might be a new skill for your students. Thesis statements are often taught as a topic sentence or the “whole essay boiled down into one sentence.” This can be a challenging concept for your students to grasp.

To teach how to write a thesis statement, have a discussion about what makes a strong thesis statement. You can turn this into a collaborative lesson by brainstorming clarifying statements ; these statements dictate what a thesis is and is not.

For example: “ A proper thesis statement is written in one sentence ,” or “ a proper thesis statement is directly related to the rest of the essay .” This is a great opportunity to teach students the difference between concepts like a “topic sentence” or a “hook.”

Your students can use this free bookmark to differentiate between a strong thesis statement and a weak one. This slideshow lesson also explores clarifying statements with detailed examples.

2. Evaluate Thesis Statement Examples

Now that students have plenty of guidelines, challenge their understanding by evaluating thesis statement examples . You can use thesis statement examples from past students’ essays. You can even write your own examples based on the clarifying statements you create with your class.

If you’re open to your students receiving constructive, anonymous criticism , you can even have them write a thesis statement and evaluate each one as a class. I’ve had success with providing students with a thesis statement topic and having them write a thesis statement. Then, I prompt them to swap with their elbow partner to offer feedback.

If you’d rather provide a comprehensive list of thesis statements that reflect the common errors you would typically see in students’ essays, there are several student examples in this introductory lesson on how to write a thesis statement – this is one of my favourite activities for teaching thesis statement writing!

3. Provide a Thesis Statement Template

One of the easiest ways to teach how to write a thesis statement is to offer a thesis statement template . There are a variety of thesis statement templates that students can use as a framework for their essays. I start with a basic template that involves the three parts of a thesis statement: a topic, position, and evidence . I then demonstrate to students how they can create variations of this template, depending on which order they introduce each part. You can find examples for each template in these thesis statement handouts .

You can also introduce a few sentence styles to your students. These styles scaffold eloquent thesis statements. They also offer students the space to articulate their thoughts without exceeding the one-sentence limit.

Sentence Styles for the Three Parts of a Thesis Statement

Here are a few sentence styles that incorporate the three parts of a thesis statement. Each style also includes an example written by a real student:

• Style A : “Noun phrase; Noun phrase; Noun phrase – Independent Clause” Example: “The promotion of hygiene; the presence of medical professionals; the prevention of death – these are all reasons why supervised injection services are an important facet of public health.”
• Style B : If (subject + verb + object phrase), if (subject + verb + object phrase ), if (subject + verb + object phrase ), then (independent clause) Example: “If taxpayers do not wish to have their money allocated to cruelty, if more than 100 million animals die from animal testing a year, if alternatives to animal testing exist, then governments should ban the practice of testing on animals.”
• Style C : Independent clause: subject + verb, subject + verb, subject + verb Example: “College education should be entirely funded by the government: student debt would be eliminated, education would not be commodified, and access to education would not be exclusive to privileged people.”

All of these sentence styles are outlined in these practice worksheets for how to write a thesis statement, with writing prompts to reinforce each thesis statement template through repeated practice.

4. Daily Practice Activities to Teach How to Write a Thesis Statement

One of the most effective ways to teach how to write a thesis statement is through repeated practice. You can do this by incorporating daily bell ringers into your persuasive writing unit. To assign this activity, I provide students with three topics to choose from. I then prompt them to develop an opinion and write a thesis statement for one.

I’ll also include bell ringers that provide a thesis statement that students need to evaluate. Students really enjoy these drills! They get the opportunity to develop opinions on interesting topics, and many of them choose to explore these ideas as the subject of their final research paper.

If you’re looking for pre-made worksheets with thesis statement activities, these daily thesis statement bell ringers include one month’s worth of thesis statement prompts, graphic organizers, and templates in both digital and ready-to-print format.

5. Use a Self-Assessment Thesis Statement Anchor Chart

You can provide students with a thesis statement anchor chart to reference the guidelines and rules they’ve learned. A personalized anchor chart is best – like this free thesis statement bookmark – so that students can have it on hand while they are reading and writing.

You can distribute the anchor chart at the beginning of your research paper unit. Students can refer to it while evaluating thesis statement examples or completing daily practice activities. A thesis statement anchor chart has been a complete game-changer in my classroom, and I’m pleased to learn that many of my students have held on to these after completing my course.

6. Provide Engaging Thesis Statement Topics

You can collaborate with your students to generate an engaging list of good topics for thesis statements. Start by writing down every topic that your students suggest. Then, you can narrow this list down to avoid broad, far-reaching thesis statements that lead to a watered-down essay. When I make this list with my students, we end up with topics that are truly engaging for them. I also have the opportunity to clarify which topics might be a little too vague or broad for an exceptional essay.

For example, students often suggest topics like “racism” or “the problem with school.” These are learning opportunities to demonstrate to students that a great thesis statement is the essential starting point for an even greater essay.

To elaborate, a topic like racism has different implications all over the world. It is far too complex to explore in a single, 750-word essay. Instead, we work together to narrow this topic down to something like “racism in the media,” or even better, “representation in Hollywood.”

Additionally, a topic like “the problem with school” is more of a conclusion. To solve this, we work backward to identify some of the aspects of our school that make it an obstacle . This can include uniforms, early starts, or cell phone policies. This process leads students to a more concise topic, like “cell phone policies in twenty-first-century schools.”

If you’re looking for engaging thesis statement topics to inspire your students, I’ve included a list of 75 argumentative essay topics in this practice unit for how to write a thesis statement .

Tying it All Together

There are plenty of fun thesis statement activities and practice lessons that you can incorporate into your curriculum. Give thesis statements the love and attention they deserve in the classroom – after all, they truly are the most important part of a research essay.

All of the worksheets, lessons, and activities explored in this blog post are included in Mondays Made Easy’s unit for teaching how to write a thesis statement . This bundle has everything you need to teach your students how to master their thesis statements and apply these essential literacy skills to their writing.

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• How to Write a Thesis Statement | 4 Steps & Examples

How to Write a Thesis Statement | 4 Steps & Examples

Published on January 11, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on August 15, 2023 by Eoghan Ryan.

A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . It usually comes near the end of your introduction .

Your thesis will look a bit different depending on the type of essay you’re writing. But the thesis statement should always clearly state the main idea you want to get across. Everything else in your essay should relate back to this idea.

You can write your thesis statement by following four simple steps:

• Start with a question
• Write your initial answer
• Develop your answer
• Refine your thesis statement

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Table of contents

What is a thesis statement, placement of the thesis statement, step 1: start with a question, step 2: write your initial answer, step 3: develop your answer, step 4: refine your thesis statement, types of thesis statements, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about thesis statements.

A thesis statement summarizes the central points of your essay. It is a signpost telling the reader what the essay will argue and why.

The best thesis statements are:

• Concise: A good thesis statement is short and sweet—don’t use more words than necessary. State your point clearly and directly in one or two sentences.
• Contentious: Your thesis shouldn’t be a simple statement of fact that everyone already knows. A good thesis statement is a claim that requires further evidence or analysis to back it up.
• Coherent: Everything mentioned in your thesis statement must be supported and explained in the rest of your paper.

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The thesis statement generally appears at the end of your essay introduction or research paper introduction .

The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education. The use of the internet in academic contexts and among young people more generally is hotly debated. For many who did not grow up with this technology, its effects seem alarming and potentially harmful. This concern, while understandable, is misguided. The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its many benefits for education: the internet facilitates easier access to information, exposure to different perspectives, and a flexible learning environment for both students and teachers.

You should come up with an initial thesis, sometimes called a working thesis , early in the writing process . As soon as you’ve decided on your essay topic , you need to work out what you want to say about it—a clear thesis will give your essay direction and structure.

You might already have a question in your assignment, but if not, try to come up with your own. What would you like to find out or decide about your topic?

For example, you might ask:

After some initial research, you can formulate a tentative answer to this question. At this stage it can be simple, and it should guide the research process and writing process .

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Now you need to consider why this is your answer and how you will convince your reader to agree with you. As you read more about your topic and begin writing, your answer should get more detailed.

In your essay about the internet and education, the thesis states your position and sketches out the key arguments you’ll use to support it.

The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its many benefits for education because it facilitates easier access to information.

In your essay about braille, the thesis statement summarizes the key historical development that you’ll explain.

The invention of braille in the 19th century transformed the lives of blind people, allowing them to participate more actively in public life.

A strong thesis statement should tell the reader:

• Why you hold this position
• What they’ll learn from your essay
• The key points of your argument or narrative

The final thesis statement doesn’t just state your position, but summarizes your overall argument or the entire topic you’re going to explain. To strengthen a weak thesis statement, it can help to consider the broader context of your topic.

These examples are more specific and show that you’ll explore your topic in depth.

Your thesis statement should match the goals of your essay, which vary depending on the type of essay you’re writing:

• In an argumentative essay , your thesis statement should take a strong position. Your aim in the essay is to convince your reader of this thesis based on evidence and logical reasoning.
• In an expository essay , you’ll aim to explain the facts of a topic or process. Your thesis statement doesn’t have to include a strong opinion in this case, but it should clearly state the central point you want to make, and mention the key elements you’ll explain.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . Everything else you write should relate to this key idea.

The thesis statement is essential in any academic essay or research paper for two main reasons:

• It gives your writing direction and focus.
• It gives the reader a concise summary of your main point.

Without a clear thesis statement, an essay can end up rambling and unfocused, leaving your reader unsure of exactly what you want to say.

Follow these four steps to come up with a thesis statement :

• Ask a question about your topic .
• Write your initial answer.
• Develop your answer by including reasons.
• Refine your answer, adding more detail and nuance.

The thesis statement should be placed at the end of your essay introduction .

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Thesis Statement Worksheet Templates

Customize thesis statement templates.

If you're assigning this to your students, copy the worksheet to your account and save. When creating an assignment, just select it as a template!

What is a Thesis Statement?

In academic writing, a thesis statement is the central idea, claim, or argument that guides the entire paper. Knowing how to write a one is essential for creating strong and coherent papers that convey your message effectively. However, crafting an effective statement is not easy and can be a daunting task for many writers, regardless of the subject. Our templates provide a structured framework for students to create well-crafted thesis statements that meet the requirements of academic writing.

What is a Thesis Statement Worksheet?

Our worksheets help plan for any essay or paper. Students can use a specific (enumerative) thesis statement or an umbrella thesis statement to plan out the primary idea of their essay and practice writing effective ideas. Academic writing often requires a strong statement that sets the tone and purpose of the work.

Why Are These Graphic Organizers Important and How Are They Best Used?

Thesis statements are the bedrock for any paper, debate, or other writing assignment. It is used to guide the writing and keep ideas focused on proving that statement true with relevant evidence. Students often have a difficult time getting started, so these templates can help guide them as they craft one to guide their writing. By using a template, learners can structure their thoughts and ideas to create something that is clear, concise, and effective. Outlines provide a framework for writers to understand the different types, generate ideas, and effectively communicate their message. Additionally, graphic organizers offer a visual way to organize ideas, making the process of writing more accessible for learners.

There are different types of worksheets that are designed for different purposes and levels of writing proficiency. Some worksheets may be geared towards helping students develop a basic understanding of how to get started, while others may be more advanced and focused on refining and strengthening existing pieces of writing. Having different templates gives students a choice on which is most useful for their task.

Other Useful Tips for Creating Successful/Useful Thesis Statements Organizer Worksheets

Using worksheet templates can be a powerful tool for helping kids craft strong and effective writing. By providing a structured framework for organizing ideas, learners can better understand the key elements and how to write one effectively. A graphic organizer example can help learners understand the different categories, such as argumentative, analytical, or expository, and how to write a something that fits within these categories.

Graphic organizer examples offer visual representations for parts such as the topic, argument, and main points. This approach can be particularly useful for visual learners who may struggle with written instructions. Templates also allow for differentiation of instruction for learners with different skill levels. For example, some templates may be more structured for learners who are just beginning to learn this type of writing, while others may allow for more flexibility and creativity for more advanced learners.

Using a template can also help learners to better understand the purpose of what they are writing. By breaking down the different components, learners have the space to see how their thesis statement relates to the broader context of their paper and how it guides the reader towards their argument or main point. Overall, worksheet templates can be an effective way to support learners with different learning styles and skill levels and help them to master the art of writing a strong and effective thesis statement.

How to Make A Good Thesis Statement

While a worksheet can be a helpful tool for developing your writing skills, it is not a substitute for careful reading, research, and critical thinking. When using a planning worksheet, it is important to carefully read and follow the instructions and prompts provided. Pay attention to the specific requirements of the assignment, such as the length and format of the thesis statement, as well as the audience and purpose of the writing. Be prepared to revise and refine as needed, based on feedback from your instructor or other readers.

Planning templates are effective by guiding writers through a series of prompts or questions that help them develop a clear and focused argument for their writing assignment. Typically, the worksheet will begin by asking the student to identify the topic of their paper and narrow it down to a specific focus.

The prompts may then ask the student to consider different aspects of their argument, such as the key points they want to make, the evidence they will use to support their claims, and the counterarguments or objections they may need to address. Some worksheets may also provide examples and offer tips for crafting a strong and persuasive argument.

As the student works through the prompts, they will begin to develop a more refined and focused statement that effectively communicates the main argument of their paper. They may also receive feedback or suggestions for improvement from their instructor or peers, which they can use to revise and refine further.

Graphic Organizer Worksheets

Tips to consider when making your worksheet:

• Define the purpose and goals of the worksheet. Determine what specific skills or concepts you want your students to develop and what types of writing assignments they will be working on.
• Choose appropriate prompts or questions. Develop a series of prompts or questions that guide learners through the process of developing a clear and focused thesis statement. The prompts should be clear, concise, and relevant to the specific writing assignment.
• Provide examples and feedback. Offer examples and provide feedback and suggestions for improvement to help students refine their writing skills.
• Consider the needs of different learners. Be sure to consider the needs of different types of learners, such as visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners, and include a variety of activities and strategies to engage all learners.
• Test and revise the worksheet. Try out the worksheet with a small group and gather feedback to identify any areas that may need to be revised or clarified.
• Provide instruction and support. Introduce the worksheet to your class and provide clear instructions and support as they work through the prompts and activities.
• Monitor progress and provide feedback. Monitor progress and provide ongoing feedback and support to help develop writing skills.

Free Thesis Statement Worksheets With Storyboard That

Storyboard That is not just a classroom label maker, it's also a versatile tool that can be used as a thesis statement generator free or even to create various educational resources. With the thesis statement maker, you can easily create templates that guide students in crafting strong and clear thesis statements. Simply choose a template and click on the elements to customize them according to your needs. Once done, you can save the worksheet and either print it right away or keep it in your storyboard library for later use. Whether you need to create free thesis statement worksheets, a specific type of thesis statement, or a general guide to writing thesis statements, Storyboard That's thesis statement creator can help simplify the process and provide a clear and structured framework for kids to follow.

How to Make a Thesis Statement Worksheet

Choose one of the premade templates.

We have lots of templates to choose from. Take a look at our example for inspiration!

Click on "Copy Template"

Once you do this, you will be directed to the storyboard creator.

Give Your Worksheet a Name!

Be sure to call it something related to the topic so that you can easily find it in the future.

Edit Your Worksheet

This is where you will include directions, specific questions and images, and make any aesthetic changes that you would like. The options are endless!

Click "Save and Exit"

When you are finished with your worksheet, click this button in the lower right hand corner to exit your storyboard.

From here you can print, download as a PDF, attach it to an assignment and use it digitally, and more!

Related Storyboard That Resources and Printables

• Essay Outline Worksheets
• Long Composition Template
• Outline Template Worksheets
• Sequencing Worksheets

Happy Creating!

Frequently Asked Questions about Thesis Statements

Do i need a worksheet to figure out how to write a thesis statement.

While you don't necessarily need a worksheet to write a thesis statement, a worksheet can help you organize your thoughts and ensure that your thesis statement is strong and effective. Worksheets can provide prompts, examples, and feedback to guide you through the process of how to create a thesis statement that works. They can also help students to work through various examples of both strong and weak thesis statements, and help develop their ability to recognize the characteristics of effective thesis statements, such as clarity, specificity, and a clear argumentative focus. Additionally, the exercises facilitated by the worksheets can help students understand how to develop a thesis statement that effectively guides their writing and provides a strong foundation for their argument. Through the use of example exercises worksheets, students can improve their critical thinking skills and gain confidence in their ability to craft a strong thesis statement.

What is an umbrella thesis statement?

An umbrella thesis statement is a broad statement that encompasses the main point of a paper without providing specific details or evidence. It is called an "umbrella" because it covers a large topic or issue that can be broken down into smaller subtopics for further exploration. An example of an umbrella thesis statement is "The impact of technology on society." Umbrella thesis examples can be an effective tool for teaching students about the importance of clarity and specificity in thesis statements. By using umbrella thesis examples, students can see how a broad topic can be narrowed down into a specific statement that provides a clear direction for the paper. This can help students understand how to craft a thesis statement that is both focused and specific, while still allowing for flexibility in their argument.

How do the worksheets help me to figure out how to make a thesis statement?

Thesis statement exercises worksheets are meant to help students to organize their thoughts and ideas before they begin to write a thesis statement. Worksheets help by providing clear and concise prompts, examples, and support, and helps students to understand the key components of a strong thesis statement and to develop their own unique ideas and arguments. Through the use of a worksheet, students are able to refine their ideas and ensure that their thesis statement accurately reflects the content of their essay or research paper. Ultimately, the worksheet serves as a valuable guide that helps students to write a clear and effective thesis statement.

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Think of yourself as a member of a jury, listening to a lawyer who is presenting an opening argument. You'll want to know very soon whether the lawyer believes the accused to be guilty or not guilty, and how the lawyer plans to convince you. Readers of academic essays are like jury members: before they have read too far, they want to know what the essay argues as well as how the writer plans to make the argument. After reading your thesis statement, the reader should think, "This essay is going to try to convince me of something. I'm not convinced yet, but I'm interested to see how I might be."

An effective thesis cannot be answered with a simple "yes" or "no." A thesis is not a topic; nor is it a fact; nor is it an opinion. "Reasons for the fall of communism" is a topic. "Communism collapsed in Eastern Europe" is a fact known by educated people. "The fall of communism is the best thing that ever happened in Europe" is an opinion. (Superlatives like "the best" almost always lead to trouble. It's impossible to weigh every "thing" that ever happened in Europe. And what about the fall of Hitler? Couldn't that be "the best thing"?)

A good thesis has two parts. It should tell what you plan to argue, and it should "telegraph" how you plan to argue—that is, what particular support for your claim is going where in your essay.

Steps in Constructing a Thesis

First, analyze your primary sources.  Look for tension, interest, ambiguity, controversy, and/or complication. Does the author contradict himself or herself? Is a point made and later reversed? What are the deeper implications of the author's argument? Figuring out the why to one or more of these questions, or to related questions, will put you on the path to developing a working thesis. (Without the why, you probably have only come up with an observation—that there are, for instance, many different metaphors in such-and-such a poem—which is not a thesis.)

Once you have a working thesis, write it down.  There is nothing as frustrating as hitting on a great idea for a thesis, then forgetting it when you lose concentration. And by writing down your thesis you will be forced to think of it clearly, logically, and concisely. You probably will not be able to write out a final-draft version of your thesis the first time you try, but you'll get yourself on the right track by writing down what you have.

Keep your thesis prominent in your introduction.  A good, standard place for your thesis statement is at the end of an introductory paragraph, especially in shorter (5-15 page) essays. Readers are used to finding theses there, so they automatically pay more attention when they read the last sentence of your introduction. Although this is not required in all academic essays, it is a good rule of thumb.

Anticipate the counterarguments.  Once you have a working thesis, you should think about what might be said against it. This will help you to refine your thesis, and it will also make you think of the arguments that you'll need to refute later on in your essay. (Every argument has a counterargument. If yours doesn't, then it's not an argument—it may be a fact, or an opinion, but it is not an argument.)

This statement is on its way to being a thesis. However, it is too easy to imagine possible counterarguments. For example, a political observer might believe that Dukakis lost because he suffered from a "soft-on-crime" image. If you complicate your thesis by anticipating the counterargument, you'll strengthen your argument, as shown in the sentence below.

Some Caveats and Some Examples

A thesis is never a question.  Readers of academic essays expect to have questions discussed, explored, or even answered. A question ("Why did communism collapse in Eastern Europe?") is not an argument, and without an argument, a thesis is dead in the water.

A thesis is never a list.  "For political, economic, social and cultural reasons, communism collapsed in Eastern Europe" does a good job of "telegraphing" the reader what to expect in the essay—a section about political reasons, a section about economic reasons, a section about social reasons, and a section about cultural reasons. However, political, economic, social and cultural reasons are pretty much the only possible reasons why communism could collapse. This sentence lacks tension and doesn't advance an argument. Everyone knows that politics, economics, and culture are important.

A thesis should never be vague, combative or confrontational.  An ineffective thesis would be, "Communism collapsed in Eastern Europe because communism is evil." This is hard to argue (evil from whose perspective? what does evil mean?) and it is likely to mark you as moralistic and judgmental rather than rational and thorough. It also may spark a defensive reaction from readers sympathetic to communism. If readers strongly disagree with you right off the bat, they may stop reading.

An effective thesis has a definable, arguable claim.  "While cultural forces contributed to the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe, the disintegration of economies played the key role in driving its decline" is an effective thesis sentence that "telegraphs," so that the reader expects the essay to have a section about cultural forces and another about the disintegration of economies. This thesis makes a definite, arguable claim: that the disintegration of economies played a more important role than cultural forces in defeating communism in Eastern Europe. The reader would react to this statement by thinking, "Perhaps what the author says is true, but I am not convinced. I want to read further to see how the author argues this claim."

A thesis should be as clear and specific as possible.  Avoid overused, general terms and abstractions. For example, "Communism collapsed in Eastern Europe because of the ruling elite's inability to address the economic concerns of the people" is more powerful than "Communism collapsed due to societal discontent."

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Tips and Examples for Writing Thesis Statements

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Tips for Writing Your Thesis Statement

1. Determine what kind of paper you are writing:

• An analytical paper breaks down an issue or an idea into its component parts, evaluates the issue or idea, and presents this breakdown and evaluation to the audience.
• An expository (explanatory) paper explains something to the audience.
• An argumentative paper makes a claim about a topic and justifies this claim with specific evidence. The claim could be an opinion, a policy proposal, an evaluation, a cause-and-effect statement, or an interpretation. The goal of the argumentative paper is to convince the audience that the claim is true based on the evidence provided.

If you are writing a text that does not fall under these three categories (e.g., a narrative), a thesis statement somewhere in the first paragraph could still be helpful to your reader.

2. Your thesis statement should be specific—it should cover only what you will discuss in your paper and should be supported with specific evidence.

3. The thesis statement usually appears at the end of the first paragraph of a paper.

4. Your topic may change as you write, so you may need to revise your thesis statement to reflect exactly what you have discussed in the paper.

Thesis Statement Examples

Example of an analytical thesis statement:

The paper that follows should:

• Explain the analysis of the college admission process
• Explain the challenge facing admissions counselors

Example of an expository (explanatory) thesis statement:

• Explain how students spend their time studying, attending class, and socializing with peers

Example of an argumentative thesis statement:

• Present an argument and give evidence to support the claim that students should pursue community projects before entering college

Reading Worksheets, Spelling, Grammar, Comprehension, Lesson Plans

How to Write a Thesis Statement

About this worksheet:.

Practice developing thesis statements with this writing introduction worksheet! Students will learn how to improve their writing with a strong, attention grabbing thesis statement. This activity helps build writing skills by asking students to create a statement for the topics provided, such as: “What was the greatest challenge in your life?”.

Thesis Statements Worksheets

Compare And Contrast

The First Paragraph

Statement Vs. Sentence

Brainstorming Process

Interesting Topics

Claim And Points

Breaking It Down

Follow The Steps

Craft The Key Part

Answer The Prompts

Build The Introductory

Step-By-Step Guide

Complete The Organizer

Your Interpretation

Give A Hint

All about these 15 worksheets.

This series of 15 worksheets offers an invaluable resource for students to master the art of creating compelling thesis statements. These meticulously designed worksheets provide step-by-step guidance to help students develop clear, focused, and persuasive thesis statements that form the backbone of their essays and arguments.

The varied writing prompts empower students to become proficient in articulating their main arguments concisely and effectively. Through a series of engaging exercises, students will learn the importance of a strong thesis statement in guiding their writing and influencing readers’ understanding and engagement. Through these worksheets, students will:

• Learn how a well-crafted thesis statement serves as a roadmap, guiding the organization and development of their essays;
• Learn the importance of clarity, specificity, and arguability in constructing effective thesis statements;
• Differentiate thesis statements from topic sentences;
• Refine their ability to express complex ideas in a clear and focused manner;
• And practice incorporating strong thesis statements into their essays, arguments, and persuasive pieces.

This series equips students with the skills necessary to craft compelling and influential thesis statements. By mastering the art of thesis statement writing, they enhance their critical thinking, persuasive writing, and organization skills, setting a strong foundation for their academic and professional endeavors.

Whether used in language arts classrooms, essay writing workshops, or as part of independent study, these Thesis Statements worksheets provide an invaluable resource for students to become proficient in developing clear, focused, and persuasive thesis statements.

How To Write A Thesis Statement

A thesis statement is very important for an essay. It summarizes your point or opinion on the subject in a single line. A thesis statement should be clear, concise, and strong, as all points in the essay will need to relate to it. Without a thesis statement, your essay will fall flat and lack information crucial to hook the reader. The thesis statement is also added at the end of the introduction and is a must-have if you want to persuade your reader.

Brainstorm Your Topic

The first step in writing a thesis statement is brainstorming. This step could vary depending on if the topic was already provided or not and the type of essay. Once the topic has been decided, ask questions, such as:

• Why are you choosing this topic?
• Is there relevant information available on the internet?
• Can you target the topic to a particular audience?

At this point, your topic is just a title and not a statement. The more questions you ask, the more specified and coherent your thesis statement will be.

Take Your Stance

After finalizing the topic, pick your stance on it. What’s your opinion about the topic? Do you oppose the idea or support it? You can provide a tentative answer over here and research to solidify your position on the subject.

Provide Supporting Ideas

Whether you support or oppose the subject, you need to research and mention key points here. Give your reasons with facts and figures about why you support/oppose this subject. It’s best to provide 3 to 4 supporting ideas to persuade the audience.

Include an Opposing Viewpoint

This is not a must-have in every thesis statement, but acknowledging the opposing point of view can significantly impact the statement. Adding counterarguments or issues that people might have with your statement will help both types of readers relate to the topic, thus, widening your reach.

Now that you know how to write a thesis statement, let’s look at the qualities of a good thesis statement and some examples.

Qualities of a Good Thesis Statement

Strong Stance

A good thesis statement includes a strong stance. You need to decide your position on the matter and stick to it throughout the essay. Also, try to be specific with your position and target a particular audience.

Encourages Discussion

Your thesis statement needs to encourage discussions. It can’t be a simple fact everyone knows and can’t disagree with. It should have to support opposing views so readers can change their minds.

One Main Idea

Your thesis statement should be clear and coherent. It needs to display one main idea. Even though there will be many supporting points and reasons throughout the essay, they should all link back to the main statement.

Examples of Good Thesis Statements

“Because many children are unable to vaccinate as a result of illness, all healthy and able children should be vaccinated to start the development of herd immunity.”

Libraries serve as essential resources for various communities. As such, they should have better funding from local municipalities.

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Building A Thesis...From The Ground Up

[Condensed by Angela Jeng, (Student Learning Center, UC Berkeley, 2008)

from the handout "Building a Thesis...From the Ground Up," developed by the UC Berkeley Department of English]

Relates 2nd story thesis to the bigger picture, explains its significance—why it is important—and sets it in a new context. Open out to a wider view. It is the answer you get when you ask of a 2-story thesis, “So what?” A person reading such a thesis thinks, “I see why this argument matters.” However, be careful not to make a bigger claim than you are able to substantiate.

Interprets; gives point of view on; and/or adds controversy to the facts of the first story. It takes a position on the facts which is not obvious, a position that a reasonable person could disagree with. (Arguable) A person reading such a thesis thinks, “That’s an interesting point of view. Now prove it to me.” This does not mean the thesis has to be absurd; rather, it means to take one position out of a number of possible positions.

Describes the topic; gives the facts; makes an observation. Observations are non-controversial, i.e., no reasonable person would disagree with them. A person reading such a thesis thinks, “Yes, this is true.” 

1st story : Conrad uses imagery of light and dark in Heart of Darkness.

2nd story : Conrad uses imagery of light and dark in Heart of Darkness to represent the contrast between civilization and savagery.

3rd story : Conrad uses imagery of light and dark in Heart of Darkness to represent the contrast between civilization and savagery, ultimately suggesting that civilization and savagery are less matters of the state of a culture than the state of an individual’s mind.

[Adapted by Angela Jeng, (Student Learning Center, UC Berkeley, 2008)

from the handout “Thesis Activity (Fairytale Thesis),” developed by Luisa Giulianetti,

Student Learning Center, UC Berkeley, 1998]

• Not a self-evident statement or well-known fact?
• Gives readers an idea of the general direction of my paper and the evidence I will provide?
• A complete sentence, not a fragment?
• Not worded as a question?
• Neither too broad nor too specific?
• Does not contain elements which are extraneous or irrelevant to my paper?
• Avoids phrases like I think and in my opinion, which weaken my argument?
• Gives me something to prove, back up, and develop?

© 2008 UC Regents

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

RESEARCH & WRITING TOOLKIT: Thesis Statements

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Print a THESIS STATMENT Handout

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Here's a little brochure all about thesis statements that prints double-sided on one sheet of 8-1/2 x 11" paper.

• Developing Strong Thesis Statements A guide from the Purdue OWL (Online Writing Lab)

One Way to Write a Thesis Statement

Thesis Statement & Outline Tool

THESIS BUILDER is a free online tool which will help you create a concise, one-sentence thesis statement. Before you use this tool, you will need the following:

• Your opinion or position about the topic written in a BRIEF phrase
• Reasons for your opinion and a main reason others might disagree , all written in BRIEF phrases.

After you create your best thesis statement, use the BUILD AN OUTLINE link to get a blueprint for exactly how to write YOUR research paper.

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• Last Updated: Mar 6, 2024 2:07 PM
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