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Chapter 3
Thesis, Introduction, Conclusion
This chapter addresses some of the most difficult elements of a paper: the thesis, the introduction, and the
conclusion. As the controlling idea of a paper, the thesis statement serves to help students focus on their
supporting ideas more effectively. Of the three types of thesis statements (explanatory, mildly argumentative,
and strongly argumentative), the explanatory thesis is probably the best to start with. You can practice the others
in later assignments.
The thesis workshop also gives you an opportunity to check on how well prepared students are for writing their
papers. Students who are well prepared will be able to state and explain their positions; less well- prepared
students will offer vague statements or fail to make a claim. Check working thesis statements for poor reasoning
and alert students if they are only redefining the language of the claim in their support clause.
Next, this chapter addresses the introduction. An introduction establishes the context, the general idea of the
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STUDENT WEB RESOURCES
PURDUE UNIVERSITY’SONLINE WRITING LAB (OWL): THE THESIS S
TATEMENT
Purdue University’s site provides “Tips and Examples for Writing Thesis Statements.” This site offers
some of the fullest, most reliable writing assistance available online.