Thesis statements Learning objective – By the end of class, you will be able to effectively write an (argumentative) thesis statement.

Thesis statements - review 1. A good argumentative thesis is focused and not too broad. 2. A good argumentative thesis is centered on a debatable topic. 3. A good argumentative thesis picks a side. 4. A good thesis makes claims that will be supported later in the paper.

Thesis statements – Types of claims Claims of fact or definition: These claims argue about what the definition of something is or whether something is a settled fact. Example: What some people refer to as global warming is actually nothing more than normal, long-term cycles of climate change. Claims of cause and effect: These claims argue that one person, thing, or event caused another thing or event to occur. Example: The popularity of SUV's in America has caused pollution to increase. Claims about value: These are claims made of what something is worth, whether we value it or not, how we would rate or categorize something. Example: Global warming is the most pressing challenge facing the world today. Claims about solutions or policies: These are claims that argue for or against a certain solution or policy approach to a problem. Example: Instead of drilling for oil in Alaska we should be focusing on ways to reduce oil consumption, such as researching renewable energy sources.

Thesis statements – We do Directions: 1. Carefully read the writing prompt and the Bad Thesis Statement. 2. Then, rewrite a Good Thesis Statement. State the subject and tell the author’s purpose for writing or the point to be proved. A good thesis statement will directly respond to each part of the writing prompt. Writing Prompt: Describe how television commercials influence children. Bad: Television commercials have an influence on children. Why? Good: Good thesis:

Thesis statements – Television and children 1. Studies show that too much television viewing can have negative affects: children may have attention difficulties, they may have more violent and aggressive play and behavior, and they are more likely to be obese. 2. Television commercials have a negative influence on children in the following ways: they increase viewership, they breed materialism in children, and they contribute to the overall problem of Americans needing instant gratification.

Thesis statements – you do Directions: 1. Carefully read the writing prompt and the Bad Thesis Statement. 2. Then, rewrite a Good Thesis Statement. State the subject and tell the author’s purpose for writing or the point to be proved. A good thesis statement will directly respond to each part of the writing prompt. Writing Prompt: Discuss the benefits of playing team sports. Bad: Playing team sports has many benefits. Why? Good: Students will trade and check for the following: is the thesis focused? Debatable? Does it pick a side? Can it be supported? Students will identify the claim and the 3 reasons of the thesis.

Thesis Statements – Evaluation Is the thesis focused? Is the thesis debatable? Does it pick a side? Can it be supported? Identify the claim and the 3 reasons of the thesis.

Thesis statements: Evaluations and Rewrites With your district partner(s): 1. read the writing prompt and evaluate the bad thesis statements; on a separate sheet of paper, write WHY it is a bad thesis statement and… 2. revise the bad thesis statements using the elements of argumentative thesis statements

Writing prompt: Discuss the benefits of playing team sports. Bad: Playing team sports has many benefits. Why? Good:

Writing prompt: Persuade the school board to lengthen summer vacation. Bad: Many people think that summer vacation should be extended. Why? Good:

Writing prompt: Justify the government’s duty to collect taxes. Bad: The government has a duty to collect taxes. Why? Good:

Writing prompt: evaluate this statement – Everyone should learn to play a musical instrument. Bad: Learning to play a musical instrument has both good and bad points. Why? Good:

Writing Prompt: Explain why young people especially enjoy hobbies. Bad: One hobby many young people especially enjoy is reading. Why? Good:

EXIT TICKET – Introduction paragraph Hook Thesis – Claim, Argument, Side of Topic Chosen Roadmap – Three reasons

Exit ticket Pass Arena Notes to front of classroom Each tribute needs to prepare a piece of paper with a proper heading and title it “In-class Introduction Paragraph”

Exit ticket prompt Select one thesis statement from the five you have just created. Write an introduction paragraph, using margin planner, in which you discuss the prompt/thesis you selected. Be sure to support your thesis statement with details and examples (3 reasons) .