Notes

http://www.history.com/topics/halloween/historical-ghost-stories
http://www.ancient-origins.net/unexplained-phenomena/top-three-scientific-explanations-ghost-sightings-006916
http://www.angelsghosts.com/ghosts_spirits_christian_bible
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THESIS GENERATOR

Thesis Statement Guide Development Tool

Follow the steps below to formulate a thesis statement. All cells must contain text.

1. State your topic.


history of ghosts
2. State your opinion/main idea about this topic.
This will form the heart of your thesis. An effective statement will

express one major idea.
name the topic and assert something specific about it.
be a more specific statement than the topic statement above.
take a stance on an issue about which reasonable people might disagree.
state your position on or opinion about the issue.

Ghost sightings date back thousands of years
3. Give the strongest reason or assertion that supports your opinion/main idea.


Jesus and many other dead people are listed to have appeared and interacted with the living in the bible.
4. Give another strong reason or assertion that supports your opinion/main idea.


it inhibits social interaction
5. Give one more strong reason or assertion that supports your opinion/main idea.


it shortens children's attention spans
6. Include an opposing viewpoint to your opinion/main idea, if applicable. This should be an argument for the opposing view that you admit has some merit, even if you do not agree with the overall viewpoint.


television can be educational
7. Provide a possible title for your essay.


History of Ghosts
SUBMIT


Thesis Statement Guide Results

Thesis Statement Model #1: Sample Thesis Statement

Ghost sightings date back thousands of years

Thesis Statement Model #2: Thesis with Concession

Notice that this model makes a concession by addressing an argument from the opposing viewpoint first, and then uses the phrase "even though" and states the writer's opinion/main idea as a rebuttal.

Even though television can be educational, Ghost sightings date back thousands of years

Thesis Statement Model #3: Thesis with Reasons

Here, the use of "because" reveals the reasons behind the writer's opinion/main idea.

Ghost sightings date back thousands of years because it shortens children's attention spans, it inhibits social interaction, and Jesus and many other dead people are listed to have appeared and interacted with the living in the bible..

Thesis Statement Model #4: Thesis with Concession and Reasons

This model both makes a concession to opposing viewpoint and states the reasons/arguments for the writer's main idea.

While television can be educational, Ghost sightings date back thousands of years because it shortens children's attention spans, it inhibits social interaction, and Jesus and many other dead people are listed to have appeared and interacted with the living in the bible..

Remember: These thesis statements are generated based on the answers provided on the form. Use the Thesis Statement Guide as many times as you like. Your ideas and the results are anonymous and confidential. When you build a thesis statement that works for you, ensure that it addresses the assignment. Finally, you may have to rewrite the thesis statement so that the spelling, grammar, and punctuation are correct.

Thesis Statement Guide: Sample Outline

Use the outline below, which is based on the five–paragraph essay model, when drafting a plan for your own essay. This is meant as a guide only, so we encourage you to revise it in a way that works best for you.

Introductory Paragraph

Start your introduction with an interesting "hook" to reel your reader in. An introduction can begin with a rhetorical question, a quotation, an anecdote, a concession, an interesting fact, or a question that will be answered in your paper. The idea is to begin broadly and gradually bring the reader closer to the main idea of the paper. At the end of the introduction, you will present your thesis statement. The thesis statement model used in this example is a thesis with reasons.

Even though television can be educational, Ghost sightings date back thousands of years because it shortens children's attention spans, it inhibits social interaction, and Jesus and many other dead people are listed to have appeared and interacted with the living in the bible..

Paragraph #1

First, Ghost sightings date back thousands of years because it shortens children's attention spans.

Notice that this Assertion is the first reason presented in the thesis statement. Remember that the thesis statement is a kind of "mapping tool" that helps you organize your ideas, and it helps your reader follow your argument. In this body paragraph, after the Assertion, include any evidence–a quotation, statistic, data–that supports this first point. Explain what the evidence means. Show the reader how this entire paragraph connects back to the thesis statement.

Paragraph #2

Additionally, it inhibits social interaction.

The first sentence of the second body paragraph should reflect an even stronger Assertion to support the thesis statement. Generally, the second point listed in the thesis statement should be developed here. Like with the previous paragraph, include any evidence–a quotation, statistic, data–that supports this point after the Assertion. Explain what the evidence means. Show the reader how this entire paragraph connects back to the thesis statement.

Paragraph #3

Finally, the most important reason Ghost sightings date back thousands of years is Jesus and many other dead people are listed to have appeared and interacted with the living in the bible..

Your strongest point should be revealed in the final body paragraph. Also, if it's appropriate, you can address and refute any opposing viewpoints to your thesis statement here. As always, include evidence–a quotation, statistic, data–that supports your strongest point. Explain what the evidence means. Show the reader how this entire paragraph connects back to the thesis statement.

Concluding Paragraph

Indeed, while television can be educational, Ghost sightings date back thousands of years.

Rephrase your thesis statement in the first sentence of the conclusion. Instead of summarizing the points you just made, synthesize them. Show the reader how everything fits together. While you don't want to present new material here, you can echo the introduction, ask the reader questions, look to the future, or challenge your reader.

Remember: This outline is based on the five–paragraph model. Expand or condense it according to your particular assignment or the size of your opinion/main idea. Again, use the Thesis Statement Guide as many times as you like, until you reach a thesis statement and outline that works for you.

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