Thesis Statements Thesis Statements

Thesis statements reveal what your essay is about. They tell the Thesis statements reveal what your essay is about. They tell the
reader the main idea of your essay. There should be at least reader the main idea of your essay. There should be at least
three major pieces of evidence from the story to support the three major pieces of evidence from the story to support the
thesis. They have three parts: thesis. They have three parts:

 Title  Title
 Author  Author
 Theme  Theme

Examples: Examples:

Jacqueline Woodson’s picture book, The Other Side, teaches Jacqueline Woodson’s picture book, The Other Side, teaches
readers that children find ways to connect when grown-ups are readers that children find ways to connect when grown-ups are
trying to keep them apart. trying to keep them apart.

Cynthia Rylant’s short story, “Stray,” teaches readers that a Cynthia Rylant’s short story, “Stray,” teaches readers that a
simple act of kindness can change a life. simple act of kindness can change a life.

Gary Soto’s short story, “The Marble Champ,” teaches readers Gary Soto’s short story, “The Marble Champ,” teaches readers
that ________________________________________________ that ________________________________________________
____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________