Writing Worksheet · Grades 5–7
Writing a Thesis Statement Worksheet
A printable writing worksheet for grades 5-7 on writing a thesis statement: the one sentence that states an essay’s main argument. Students judge eight sentences as strong thesis or weak, then write their own in four prompts. A complete answer key is included.
Subject
Writing
Grades
Grades 5–7
Skill Focus
Writing a Thesis Statement, essay writing
Lesson Length
20 minutes
Lesson Overview
About this worksheet
A thesis statement is the one sentence, usually near the end of the introduction, that states the main point or argument of a whole essay. A strong thesis makes a clear, specific, arguable claim the rest of the essay can support; a weak one is just a fact or is too broad. This worksheet teaches students to tell strong theses from weak ones and to write their own.
Section A gives eight sentences (recess should be longer because it helps focus; dogs are animals) and asks students to write strong thesis or weak. The reference box teaches the idea with a ‘schools should start later’ example and a ‘schools have a lunch period’ non-example, sentences not reused in the items.
Section B asks students to define a thesis, turn a fact into a thesis, explain why a broad sentence is weak, and write a thesis for an essay about reading. Page 3 is a complete answer key. The skill anchors essay writing.
How to Use This Lesson
Read the reference box aloud and contrast the fact with the strong-thesis example.
Complete Section A independently – have students ask ‘does this make a clear, arguable claim?’
Work Section B item 10 together: turn a plain fact into a strong thesis.
Use the answer key on page 3 for self-check or teacher review.
Pair with the Writing Introductions Worksheet or the Topic Sentences Worksheet for an essay mini-unit.
Printable Resource
A classroom-ready PDF with everything in one printable resource.
Free Member Resource · Printable PDF · 3 pages · Answer Key
Writing a Thesis Statement Worksheet
A printable writing worksheet for grades 5-7 on writing a thesis statement: the one sentence that states an essay’s main argument. Students judge eight sentences as strong thesis or weak, then write their own in four prompts. A complete answer key is included.
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