It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. - Aristotle

Controversial Issues: Thesis, Focal Sentence, and Topic Sentences Outlining Controversial Issues: Thesis, Focal Sentence, and Topic Sentences

What Is a “Controversial Issue”? A controversial issue is something that people disagree about. For example: legalizing marijuana health insurance drilling for natural gas.

Controversial issues can always be broken down into smaller issues. In looking at controversial issues, you should always be looking for at least two sides of the argument: A Law against burning the U.S. flag First Amendment Prohibits such a law Should not prohibit. Definition of the flag Can be defined Cannot be defined

Punishment Conclusion Fines Jail Community Service Should be a fine Should not be a fine Jail Yes No Community Service Conclusion

Write Three Different Thesis Sentences for this Essay A Law against burning the U.S. flag

Taking a neutral position, write a focal Sentence and two topic sentences for this issue. First Amendment Prohibits such a law Should not prohibit.

Taking a side either for or against a law, write a focal Sentence and the two topic sentences for this issue. First Amendment Prohibits such a law Should not prohibit.