Developing a Thesis Statement First, go over the front (Four Steps to a Perfect Thesis). This presentation picks up on the back of the note sheet. McKinney Fall 2017

My Learning Plan Part I: Can I identify a thesis? Part II: Can I evaluate a thesis? Part III: Can I write a thesis?

Identify a Thesis Statement is usually a single sentence somewhere in your first paragraph that directly answers the essay prompt. directly answers the question provides organizational categories used in the essay. Thus, Topic + Opinion + Why Students should fill in the blanks on their notes (bright yellow words = blanks)

Is this statement a thesis? Essay Prompt: state your position on whether it is better to live in a large city or in a small town. What would be the topic:_____________________ What would be the opinion: ___________________ What would be the why: ______________________ Ask students to evaluate the thesis using the three criteria from the previous slide. Reveal answer after students ‘vote’.

Is this statement a thesis? Essay Prompt: state your position on whether it is better to live in a large city or in a small town. While I may miss the beauty and peace of the country life, comforts like entertainment and employment opportunities afforded by metropolitan areas are difficult to ignore. YES Why? It directly answers the question and provides two organizational categories. Ask students to evaluate the thesis using the three criteria from the previous slide. Reveal answer after students ‘vote’.

Is this statement a thesis? Essay Prompt: state your position on whether it is better to live in a large city or in a small town. I like living in a small town, but then I like living in a big city too. NO Why? It does not directly answer the question and provides no organizational categories. Ask students to evaluate the thesis using the three criteria from the previous slide. Reveal answer after students ‘vote’.

Is this statement a thesis? Essay Prompt: state your position on whether it is better to live in a large city or in a small town. I think it’s better to live in a big city because you have a better opportunity to have a good job. NO Why? It partially answers the question and organizational categories are limited. Ask students to evaluate the thesis using the three criteria from the previous slide. Reveal answer after students ‘vote’.

Is this statement a thesis? Essay Prompt: state your position on whether it is better to live in a large city or in a small town. It is better to live in a small town where you can actually know and love the people and places around you. YES Why? It directly answers the question and provides two organizational categories. Ask students to evaluate the thesis using the three criteria from the previous slide. Reveal answer after students ‘vote’.

Evaluate a Thesis Statement Use the top row of your rubric to evaluate the following thesis statements. Evaluate each as: Advanced Proficient Emerging Intervention Needed Clear, complete, insightful Clear and complete Partially answers question Minimally answers the question or no thesis Students should copy the rubric details into their notes. Columns have been labeled for them.

Score this thesis! Essay Prompt: Should vending machines be banned in high schools? Because vending machines contribute to student obesity and encourage schools to choose profit over student health, they should be banned from high schools. Students score all of these slides. Reveal answer after score. You may choose to use a pinch card for scoring, I just have them show me using their hand 1-4.

Score this thesis! Essay Prompt: Should vending machines be banned in high schools? Because vending machines contribute to student obesity and encourage schools to choose profit over student health, they should be banned from high schools. ADVANCED Why? Clear, complete and insightful (choose profit over student health)

Score this thesis! Essay Prompt: Should vending machines be banned in high schools? Vending machines can be both good and bad; mostly vending machines destroy kids’ health.

Score this thesis! Essay Prompt: Should vending machines be banned in high schools? Vending machines can be both good and bad; mostly vending machines destroy kids’ health. NEEDS INTERVENTION Why? Vague, no clear position; one organizing category and it is worded dramatically. (destroy kids’ health…. seriously?)

Score this thesis! Essay Prompt: Should vending machines be banned in high schools? Because vending machines provide schools money for special programs and can provide students healthy lunches and snacks, they should continue to be available to high school students.

Score this thesis! Essay Prompt: Should vending machines be banned in high schools? Because vending machines provide schools money for special programs and can provide students healthy lunches and snacks, they should continue to be available to high school students. PROFICIENT Why? Clear, and complete

Score this thesis! Essay Prompt: Should vending machines be banned in high schools? Vending machines themselves are not bad, but they sell way too much junk food.

Score this thesis! Essay Prompt: Should vending machines be banned in high schools? Vending machines themselves are not bad, but they sell way too much junk food. EMERGING Why? Does not directly take a position; partially answers question

Writing a Thesis Statement Prompt: Should vending machines be banned in high schools? Rewrite these as a class so that the students have a good example to work from. These should be written at the bottom of the note page. Thesis Criteria Directly answers the question Includes organizational categories Is clear and complete Is insightful (Advanced)

Writing a Thesis Statement Prompt: Should vending machines be banned in high schools? Rewrite these as a class so that the students have a good example to work from. These should be written at the bottom of the note page. Thesis Criteria Directly answers the question Includes organizational categories Is clear and complete Is insightful (Advanced)