Writing: Opinion, Argumentative and Persuasive Writing (B2) - Lesson 1: Developing a Clear Thesis Statement

Writing: Argumentative Essays

B2 Lesson 1: Developing a Clear Thesis Statement

What you will learn: By the end of this lesson, you will be able to write a strong, clear, and arguable thesis statement that provides a roadmap for an essay.

The Three Qualities of a Strong Thesis

A weak thesis leads to a weak essay. A strong thesis must have these three qualities.

• It must be arguable. A thesis cannot be a simple fact. It must be a claim that a reasonable person could disagree with.
• It must be specific. It should not be too broad or vague. It should focus on a narrow point that you can support in an essay.
• It must be a roadmap. It should introduce the main points that you will discuss in your body paragraphs.

Model: Weak vs. Strong Thesis Statements

Let's see the difference between a weak thesis and a strong one.

Weak Thesis ❌	Why it's weak	Strong Thesis ✅
Many tourists visit Cambodia.	This is a fact, not an arguable claim.	To boost its economy, Cambodia should focus on developing sustainable ecotourism rather than just relying on its famous historical sites.
Smartphones are bad for you.	This is too broad and not specific. How are they bad?	The overuse of smartphones negatively impacts young people's ability to concentrate and their social skills.

Your Writer's Toolkit 🛠️

A Formula for a Strong Thesis

A good way to structure a thesis is to acknowledge the other side, state your claim, and list your reasons.

Formula: Although [counter-argument], [your main claim] because of [Reason 1] and [Reason 2].

Example Deconstructed:
Although some people prefer the convenience of cars, motorcycles are a superior mode of transport for Cambodian cities because they are more affordable and can navigate heavy traffic more effectively.

• Main Claim: Motorcycles are a superior mode of transport.
• Reason 1: They are more affordable. (→ Body Paragraph 1)
• Reason 2: They can navigate traffic more effectively. (→ Body Paragraph 2)

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B2 Thesis Statement Checklist

• Is my thesis statement a single, clear sentence?
• Is it an arguable claim, not a simple fact?
• Is it specific enough to be covered in my essay?
• Does it provide a roadmap for the body paragraphs?

Practice & Application 🎯

Quiz: Fact or Arguable Thesis?

Read the sentences below. Which one is a strong, arguable thesis statement?

1. The Mekong River flows through six countries.
2. I think the Mekong River is very important.
3. Protecting the health of the Mekong River is essential for Cambodia's future because it supports both the nation's food supply and its unique biodiversity.

→ Answer: C. This is a strong thesis. It makes a clear, specific, and arguable claim, and it provides a roadmap (food supply, biodiversity) for the essay. A is a fact. B is a weak opinion.

Your Writing Mission ⭐

Writing Task: Craft Your Own Thesis

Your mission is to practice writing strong, arguable thesis statements. Choose TWO of the general topics below:

• Online Learning
• Tourism in your hometown (e.g., Siem Reap)
• The use of plastic

For each topic, write one strong, specific, and arguable thesis statement in your notebook. Your thesis should make a clear claim and preview at least two supporting points.

Key Vocabulary

• Thesis Statement (Noun) | ប្រយោគនិក្ខេបបទ
  A single sentence that presents the main argument of an essay.
• Claim / Argument (Noun) | ការអះអាង
  A statement that asserts something to be true, which can be debated.
• Arguable / Debatable (Adjective) | ដែលអាចប្រកែកបាន
  Not a fact; something that people could have different opinions about.
• Roadmap (Noun, Metaphor) | ផែនទីបង្ហាញផ្លូវ
  An outline of the main points that your essay will cover.