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Monday, March 25, 2013

Thesis sentences for different types of essays...


Here are templates for thesis sentences in different types of essays. Remember, a thesis sentence provides a road map for the direction your essay will take; typically it ends the introductory paragraph. Please adapt these templates to fit your essay's specific road map.

Descriptive essay using the senses: The [sights/smells/sounds/etc] of this experience of ______ left a ______ impression. (OR) I cannot forget the [sights/tastes/feeling/etc.] of ______because ______.

Narrative essay with a dominant impression: This [event] would end up as the best/worst ______. (OR) When ______ happened, I learned that ______. (OR) I never thought that doing/going/having ______ would ______.

Compare and contrast with or without judgement: The similarities between ______ and ______ are ______ and their differences are ______. (OR) Although ______ and ______ share ______, they differ on ______. (OR) Even though ______ and ______ contrast regarding _____, they are quite similar in ______. (OR with judgement) Due to their differences regarding ______, clearly ______ is the better ______ than ______.

Cause and effect: If/When ______ happens, it will result in ______. (OR) The ______ occurs as a result of these causes: ______ and ______. (OR) A _______ causes ______ due to ______.

Argumentative: We/The nation/The ______ should/should not ______ because ______. (OR) The ______ is acceptable/unacceptable when one weighs/considers the ______. (OR) This [action] is excellent/terrible for ______ due to/since it ______.

Informative synthesis (do not give your opinion!): Considering the issue of ______, authors ______ and ______ demonstrate that ______. (OR) Although authors ______ and ______ share ______ on this issue, they dispute the ______. (OR) Even though these authors disagree on ______ regarding the issue of ______, they agree about ______. (OR) The research on this issue points to a common thread that ______.

Summary and response: The [article/documentary/etc] is about ______, and I see how [in my own life/in our society] ______ is clearly related.

Summary and analysis: The [article/documentary/etc] is about ______, and while it succeeds/fails in doing ______, it fails to/succeeds in ______ because of ______.  

 (That's a lot of blanks!)

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