Writing a Thesis Statement and Paraphrasing for Note-taking

After reading on the topic of their paper, high schoolers work in pairs to assess how to write powerful, precise thesis statements. The introduction contains three statements: a universal statement, a bridge statement, and a thesis...

Set up your writers for writing strong introductions with a formula for putting together supported thesis statements. This reference page breaks the process down and provides an example of how to compose a thesis statement, develop a...

Practice writing effective thesis statements with this helpful instructional activity. Young readers take five statements that are vague ("The Jonas Brothers are cool."),  and then rewrite the statements to make them more specific. Use...

Develop an understanding of main ideas and thesis statements with your class by using this step-by-step presentation. The concepts presented will guide learners through essay focus, main idea, central points, coherency, and proper...

At 32 slides, one would think this presentation on thesis statements is a bit too long, but it is the most important component of a well-written essay! Help your developing writers craft concise, interesting theses with this PowerPoint....

What are the characteristics of a good purpose statement for a speech? Of a thesis statement? After considering the characteristics of good and bad opening statements, viewers identify the best example in a series of models.

Writing a thesis statement is a skill in itself, not something you can gloss over and expect young writers to understand. As part of a unit on persuasion, or to analyze rhetorical strategies used in informational texts, start here to...

As a writer, if you have a weak introductory paragraph or thesis statement, you might lose your audience! Have your middle and high schoolers practice writing introductory paragraphs that include clear thesis statements in response to...

Phrases such as "This paper is going to be about" and "I am going to tell you about" do not make for effective thesis statements. A handout from the UNC Writing Center helps writers break from those phrases to craft effective thesis...

Young writers compare writing a paper to building a barn. They write a thesis statement using parallel construction and use transitions to hold the paper (walls of the barn) together. A barn raising video link is included; great for...