English for Academic and

Professional Purposes
(EAPP)
State the thesis statement
of an academic text

Q1M4
A. Most Essential Learning Competency

State the thesis statement of an

academic text
Vocabulary List. The important terms to further understand the lesson.
Thesis statement - is a single sentence, preferably a simple declarative sentence, that
expresses the basic idea around which the paper will develop
(Webster University It states the purpose and main idea of your
essay to your audience.
- declares the main purpose of the entire paper.
Claim - is an assertion that supports a thesis.
Counterclaims - are simply the arguments opponents make to refute your claims
Evidence - is the information that supports a claim and persuades others to believe you.
Supporting details - are pieces of information necessary to better understand the main
idea. They can be facts, reasons, testimonies, statistics, and
experiments that support the topic sentence.
Major Details - directly support the topic sentence
Minor Details - directly support the major details
Pre-Test. Each set contains one topic, one thesis statement, and two supporting sentences.
Label each item as T for the topic, TH for the thesis statement, and S for supporting
sentences.
Set A
____A. People listen to audiobooks while doing other tasks, such as commuting or Exercising.
____B. Audiobooks are more convenient than printed books for several reasons
____C. Listeners hear dramatization of a printed by actual author or an actor.
____D. Audiobooks.
Set B
____A. A radiologic technology degree allows a person to work in medical settings where x-
rays, CT scans, MRIs, sonograms and other diagnostic imaging is needed.
____B. There are many career opportunities for those in the medical sciences.
____C. A person who obtains a degree in phlebotomy is able to work as a clinical
laboratory technician.
____D. Medical science
Set C
____A. Study skills
____B. Time management is essential when juggling deadlines and other opportunities.
____C. Notetaking provides a student with the opportunity to review information later.
____D. Strong study skills are needed if you want to be successful in college.
Set D
____A. Shingles
____B. People should be aware of the symptoms of shingles, a neurological disease.
____C. Burning pain is one of the first symptoms of shingles
____D. Painful skin rash and blisters often follow the burning pain.
Set E
____A. Dogs should be trained at an early age.
____B. A puppy can be housebroken as soon as he or she is brought home.
____C. Dogs
____E. A puppy should be trained not to bite or “mouth” people, especially children.
Thesis Statement
§ A controlling idea about the topic that the writer is attempting to prove. It is usually found at
the beginning of the text or at the end of it.
§ The central idea of a multiple-paragraph composition. A one-sentence summary that guides,
controls, and unifies ideas when writing a paper. In simple terms, all other ideas present in a text
revolve around the thesis statement.
§ The thesis statement may be expressed or implied.
We must write thesis statement
§ to test your ideas by narrowing them into a sentence or two
§ to better organize and develop argument
§ to provide the reader with “guide” to the argument
Characteristics of a good thesis statement
§ A good thesis statement takes a stand on the prompt.
§ A good thesis statement is specific.
§ A good thesis statement is unified and expresses one main idea.
§ A good thesis statement does not simply state a fact but sets the stage for analysis of a topic.
Various methods to generate a thesis statement
Topic : Jogging
Question : Why jogging is beneficial?
Thesis Statement : Jogging is beneficial because it positively affects physical well-being and
mental fitness.
As shown above, one strategy that you can use in writing a thesis statement is through asking a
question. After identifying the topic, ask questions that would answer multiple details. The answer to
this question is most likely your thesis statement.
Topic : Tagaytay
Question : (1) Is Tagaytay City an enthralling city of the South
(2) Why is Tagaytay City considered an enthralling city of the South?
Thesis Statement : (1) Tagaytay City is an enthralling city of the South.
(2) Tagaytay City is an enthralling city of the South because of its
beautiful landscape, amazing people and sumptuous food.
The topic in the example above is “Tagaytay City.” The first question which was generated may be
answered by a thesis statement with implied or abstract details. The second question, on the other
hand, may be answered by a thesis statement with explicit and concrete details. Note that both
versions of the thesis statement are acceptable.
How to write an Effective Thesis Statement
1. It should be written in a complete sentence with clearly stated subject.

2. It should not be too narrow nor too broad, and it should contain at least two details. If the
details you generate are already definite examples, then your thesis statement is too specific.
If you can only write general statements because there are too many details, then it should
be broad. You can also try to list ideas to check the scope of your topic. If you cannot list at
least two details, it is too narrow; if you list too many information to be able to discuss it
well, your topic is too broad.
3..Avoid an awkward thesis statement which states the obvious. These
statements usually start with the phrase “I will tell you…” or “I will talk
about…”
4. Enumerated details should have
the same level of significance.
If one of the details can be
classified under another detail,
you cannot omit.

5. It should not state an

absolute fact, because it
will not present any central
idea that can developed
further. It should have a
point.
Tips in Writing An Effective Topic Sentence
1. It should follow the basics already discussed in the thesis statement.
A. It must be written in a complete sentence and with a clear subject.
B. It should not be phrased awkwardly, and it should not state the obvious. An
awkward topic sentence is characterized by sentences that start with “I will tell
you…”
2. It should contain one detail which is related to one of the details in the thesis
statement.

Sample Thesis Statement:

Rizal Park, which is in Manila,
is a reminder of our
nationalism and revolution
3. It should vary structure across paragraphs. If the topic
sentences are uniform throughout your essay, they might seem
monotonous to read. Varying the structure will also enable
you to stress important parts.
4. If the composition is just one paragraph, the topic sentence
should be straightforward.
Supporting Details - these details are pieces of information necessary to better
understand the main idea. They can be facts, reasons, testimonies, statistics, and
experiments that support the topic sentence.
Major Details - directly support the topic sentence
Minor Details - directly support the major details
Sample Paragraph
Tagaytay is an enthralling city of the South because of its stunning landscape,
hospitable people, and delicious foods. The city has a magnificent scenery that
never fails to capture the awe of its visitors. One major tourist spot that exudes
the beauty of Tagaytay is Taal Volcano, the smallest volcano in the world. The
lake which surrounds it is another attraction that cannot be missed. The city is also
characterized by the warmth of its people, the Caviteños. They bring them their
smiles as they welcome both local and foreign visitors. Aside from these, Tagaytay
is also known for its sumptuous native foods. Tourists who drop by the city make it
a point to try Tagaytay’s famous bulalo and other delicacies.
In the box that follows are (1) Several general subjects, (2) a limited version of
each general subject, and (3) a thesis statement about each limited subject.

General Subject Limited Subject Thesis

Children Disciplining of children We have several effective ways of
disciplining our children.

Family Older sister My older sister helped me in

understanding the modules.

Smartphones mobile device Smartphones are useful in our studies.

Practice Task 1. Here is General Subjects Limited Subject
the list of ten general 1. Pets
subjects. Write a thesis 2. Teenagers
statement about each of
the five limited subjects. 3. Internet
4. Covid-19
5. Work
HINT: To create a thesis 6. College
statement for a limited 7. Vacation
subject, ask yourself, “What
8. Money
point do I want to make
about______ (my limited 9. Cooking
subject)?” 10. Shopping
Practice Task 2: A. Write a thesis statement for each of the topic sentences.
1. Topic Sentences : Jogging prevents heart disease.
Jogging prevents some forms of cancer.
Jogging helps treat diabetes.
Thesis Statement : ________________________________________________
________________________________________________
2. Topic Sentences : Automated election reduces costs.
It is faster.
Digital archiving of results is also achieved.
Thesis Statement : ________________________________________________
________________________________________________

3. Topic Sentences : Korean pop uses wide-ranging audio-visual elements.

It uses synchronized dance formation.
K-pop uses colorful fashion.
Thesis Statement : ________________________________________________
________________________________________________
B. Write a topic sentence for each set of supporting details.
4. Supporting Details : Insert your ATM card.
Enter your personal identification number.
Enter the amount of money.
Get your cash and receipt.
Topic Sentence : ____________________________________________

5. Supporting Details : Red stimulates appetite.

Yellow elicits the feeling of comfort when eating.
Green makes you feel that the food you eat is healthy and
safe.
Gray decreases your appetite.
Topic Sentence : ____________________________________________

6. Supporting Details : Malware makes the computer stable.

It can be used in hacking and stealing information.
Topic Sentence : ____________________________________________
C. Write three supporting details (major details) for each topic sentence.

1. Topic Sentence : Lack of sleep has negative effects on your appearance.

Supporting Detail 1 : _____________________________________________
Supporting Detail 2 : _____________________________________________
Supporting Detail 3 : _____________________________________________
Practice Task 3. Read the text carefully and answer the questions that follow.
The Golden Age of Comics
(1) The period from the late 1930s to the middle 1940s is known as the golden age of comic
books. The modern comic book came in the early 1930s in the United States as a giveaway
premium to promote the sale of the whole range of household products such as cereal and
cleanser. The comic books, which are printed in bright colours to attract the attentions of
potential customers, proved so popular that some publishers decided to produce comic books
that would come out on a monthly basis and would sell for a dime each. Though comic strips
had been reproduced in publications prior to this time, the Famous Funnies comic book, which
was started in 1934, marked the first occasion that a serialized book of comics was attempted.
(2) Early comic books reprinted already existing comic strips and comics based on known
characters, however, publishers soon began introducing original characters developed specially
for comic books. Superman was introduced in Action Comics in 1938, and Batman was
introduced a year later. The tremendous success of these superhero comic books led to the
development of numerous comic books on a variety of topics, though superhero comic book
predominated. Astonishingly, by 1945, approximately 160 different comic books were being
published in the United States each month, and 90 percent of US children were said to read
comic books on a regular basis.
Answer the following questions:
1. Identify the thesis statement of the selection.
2. How are the ideas arranged in the selection? Give at least 5 supporting details based on
the selection.
Post Test. Write Choose the best thesis statement for each essay prompt.
1. What are the benefits of participating in sports?
A. Some benefits of participating in sports include good health, working on a
team, and a competition.
B. Some benefits of participating in sports include having good health, the
ability to work on a team, and a competitive spirit.
C. Some benefits of participating in sports include having good healthy, the
ability to working on a team, and a competitive spirited.
2. Does technology help students learn more efficiently?
A. New technologies such as online search engines allow students to learn better,
faster and more in depth.
B. Students using new technologies such as online search engines means they
learn best, fast and most depth.
C. Having students use new technologies such as online search engines enable they
to learn better, faster and more in depth.
3. Which is better: classroom-based learning or online learning?
A. Some benefits of online learning are ease of scheduling, lower costs than
classroom-based learning, and flexible time for studying.
B. Compared to classroom based learning, online learning is easier to schedule,
costs less, and has more flexible studying options.
C. Some benefits of online learning are its scheduling, cost, and flexibility.

4. What are the advantages or disadvantages of online learning?

A..Some disadvantages of online learning are the lack of face-to-face
classroom contact and the jam-packed schedules of learners.
B. Some disadvantages of online learning are that face-to-face classroom
contact is lacking and the schedules of learners are jam-packed.
C. Some disadvantages of online learning are the lacking of face-to-face
classroom contact and the jam-packed scheduling of learners.
5. What is the ideal college class?
A. An ideal college class would be educational, be entertaining,
and also be enlightening.
B. The ideal college class will be educating, entertainment, and
enlightened.
C. The ideal college class is educational, entertaining, and
enlightening.
Assignment

Read the following thesis statements. Identify each as weak or strong. For those that are
weak, list the reasons why. Then revise the weak statements so that they conform to the
requirements of a strong thesis.
1. While cell phones provide freedom and mobility, they can also become a leash,
compelling users to answer them anywhere and at any time.
2. The government must expand its funding for COVID-19 pandemic.
3. In this essay, I will give you a lot of reasons why marijuana should not be legalized
in the Philippines
4. Because many children’s toys have potential safety hazards that could lead to injury, it is
clear that not all children’s toys are safe.
5. My experience with young children has taught me that I want to be a disciplinary
parent because I believe that a child without discipline can be a parent’s worst
nightmare.