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Self-Paced Class: What's a Thesis Statement?

Completed by 15 learners

Ages 11-15

Self-Paced Class

In this one-time self-paced (pre-recorded) class, students will learn what a thesis statement is, why we need them, and how to write them perfectly.

Dana Lorelle, Writing, Vocabulary, Essays

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5.0

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(1,341 reviews)

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1 pre-recorded lesson

1 week of teacher support

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1 year of access to the content

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About Learning Overview Schedule Teacher Reviews

What's included

1 pre-recorded lesson

1 week

of teacher support

1 year access

to the content

Class Experience

US Grade 6 - 9

In this one-time self-paced (video-based) class, your student will focus on the specifics of a thesis statement: what it is, why it's necessary, how to craft it, and how to elevate it. 

Students will compose at least five thesis statements and will be given supporting materials to use in future writings. 

After a warm-up activity, the instructor will present a breakdown of a thesis statement. Students will be engaged in each step of the process, as they work to move from the art of simply stating a position to writing more complex three-pronged statements. Along the way, students will evaluate instructor-presented thesis statements for both grammar and ideas. We will move from using words to phrases to clauses for the prongs, while also discussing the importance of parallelism. 

Additionally, students will look at how the thesis statement might differ depending on the style, tone, and content of an essay. 

Finally, the class will work on how to elevate the language and style of a thesis.

Syllabus

1 Lesson

over 1 Week

Lesson 1:

Class 1

 We'll take a look at the concept of a thesis: what it is, why we need them, where and when we use them, and how we can write them. Then, we will examine some pitfalls of writing thesis statements and discover ways to make ours as strong as possible.

Other Details

External Resources

Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.

Meet the teacher

Dana Lorelle, Writing, Vocabulary, Essays

Joined February, 2019

5.0

1341reviews

Star Educator

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Profile

Teacher expertise and credentials

Bachelor's Degree from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

After having taught essays to more than 500 students on Outschool, I have realized that many of them fear the thesis statement! But the truth is, it's a fairly simple endeavor... if you have the right tools. 

Besides essays, I also teach grammar, literature, poetry, and vocabulary, and I've been teaching on Outschool for more than three years. 

Underpinning this passion for teaching is a strong writing background. For years I worked as a professional journalist for newspapers, magazines, and various freelance and online publications. I also hold dual degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in journalism and French literature.