Purdue North Central Writing Center Handout

Thesis Statements Exercise

A good thesis statement does 2 things:

1. it tells readers an essay’s topic

2. it presents author’s attitude or opinion about that topic

Celebrities are often poor role models

Here, the topic is celebrities; the author believes that they are poor role models.

For each thesis statement below, single-underline the topic and double-underline the main point that the writer wishes to express about the topic. The first one has been done for you.

1. Several teachers have played important roles in my life.
   
   
2. A period of loneliness in life can actually have certain benefits.
3. Owning an old car has its own special rewards.
4. Learning to write takes work, patience, and a sense of humor.
5. Advertisers use several clever sales techniques to promote their message.
6. Anger in everyday life often results from a lack of time, a frustration with technology and a buildup of stress.
7. The sale of handguns in this country should be sharply limited for several reasons.
8. My study habits in college benefited greatly from a course on note-taking, textbook study, and test-taking skills.
9. 9. Retired people must cope with the mental, emotional, and physical stress of being “old.”
10. Parents should take certain steps to encourage their children to enjoy reading.