Thesis Statement Worksheet

What is a thesis statement?  The thesis is your answer to the prompt, that also includes how you plan to support the answer in your essay.  The thesis is not a statement of fact, but a statement that tells the reader why you believe your answer is the best answer.  It is usually the last sentence of your introductory paragraph.  Your thesis should serve as a basic guide to the rest of your essay.

Prompt: “There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest.” –Elie Wiesel, Holocaust Survivor.  Using an example from World History, discuss an event where people stood up against injustice.

1. Answer to the prompt (or claim): ________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

2. “Because” statements (Support your claim-these will eventually become the kernels of your topic sentences).

            a.________________________________________________________________

            b.________________________________________________________________

            c.________________________________________________________________

3. Now, combine your claim and your “because” statements to create a thesis (try not to use the word “because”).  Write two drafts of your thesis, try to make each one better than the last.  A good thesis is clear, concise, and is not a run-on sentence.

Draft thesis #1:

Draft thesis #2:

4. Before writing your finalized thesis, read your two drafts to another person.  Discuss the pro’s and con’s of each.

5. Finalized thesis: