1. Writing Workshop Notes
How to create an effective argumentative essay

2. Making your claim
Often times in ELA, the sentence where you state your claim is called your “thesis sentence”
This is something that you will hear throughout the rest of your high school career and will certainly become familiar with if you decide that college is the move for you
In ELA, your thesis statement is arguably the most important statement in your entire essay…

3. Why is my thesis so important?
the thesis sentence is typically that ONE sentence in the paper that asserts, controls, and structures the entire argument.
Without a strong persuasive, thoughtful thesis, a paper might seem unfocused, weak, and not worth the reader's time.
Your thesis is like the steering wheel of your paper – without one, or with a weak one, your paper will not know where it is going

4. What makes a good thesis?
1. It makes a claim
Bad: America is violent.
Good: America is violent because people are fearful.
A good thesis statement is more than just an observation
It has a perspective to prove to its audience

5. What makes a good thesis?
2. A good thesis will control the entire argument.
Your thesis controls what you are required to say in your paper and also what you cannot say in your paper.
Every paragraph in your paper exists in order to support your thesis. Accordingly, if one of your paragraphs seems irrelevant to your thesis you have two choices: get rid of the paragraph, or rewrite your thesis.
You can't simply stick the idea in without preparing the reader for it in your thesis.

6. What makes a good thesis?
3. A good thesis will provide a structure for your argument.
A good thesis not only signals to the reader what your argument is, but how your argument will be presented.
Say, for example, that you are going to argue that "American fearfulness expresses itself in three curious ways: A, B, and C."
In this case, the reader understands that you are going to have three important points to cover, and that these points will appear in a certain order. If you suggest a particular ordering principle and then abandon it, the reader will feel betrayed, irritated, and confused.

7. Six Step Thesis Formation Method
1. Name your focus topic
EX: Beverly Hills Diet
2. Ask a question (make sure it’s not obvious!) about your focused topic
EX: Is the Beverly Hill’s Diet suitable for the typical college student?
3. Revise the question into a declarative statement
EX: The Beverly Hills Diet is unsuitable for the typical college student.

8. Six Step Thesis Formation Method
4. Add a group of words summarizing your key ideas
EX: Because it is inconvenient, unhealthy, and provides only temporary weight loss.
5. Recognize the opposition
EX: Although it does provide quick weight loss.
6. Edit it all together
EX: Although it does provide quick weight loss, the Beverly Hills Diet is inadvisable for the typical college student because it is inconvenient, unhealthy, and provides only temporary weight loss.

9. A Thesis Checklist Ask yourself: 1. Is my argument clear?
2. Does it present the logic and the structure of my paper?
3. Does it emphasize the points I want to emphasize?

10. Topic Sentences
A topic sentence is the first sentence of every body paragraph in your essay
It is important because it leads the reader to the points that you are trying to make
To create successful topic sentences, you must draw on your thesis sentence to guide you

11. Topic Sentences Topic sentences should be:
Brief – don’t pack your topic sentence too full of details, that’s what the rest of your paragraph is for.
Clear – Say exactly what you mean to say. Do not engage in word play or use vague terms. Don’t try to be “fancy” here.
Precise – Be specific. Being too broad will end up confusing you and your reader.

12. Topic Sentence For example, if your thesis statement is:
Although it does provide quick weight loss, the Beverly Hills Diet is unsuitable for the typical college student because it is inconvenient, unhealthy, and provides only temporary weight loss.
Then your topic sentence for your first body paragraph should be:
The Beverly Hills diet is not suitable for college students because it is inconvenient.
You would then go on in your first body paragraph to explain how and why this diet is inconvenient.

13. Topic Sentences What would your second topic sentence be?
What would your third?

14. Counterclaim A brief review of counterclaim:
Don’t elaborate or show support for the argument that is opposite yours. Acknowledge what it is and move on to your rebuttal.
Explain thoroughly how your side of the argument disproves the opposing claim.
Directly connect your rebuttal to your claim in your thesis.

15. Let’s practice making a thesis and topic sentences
Use your notes to create a thesis and the topic sentences that would start your body paragraphs for the following prompts:
Should schools be responsible for intervening in cyberbullying?
Should the drinking age be changed to 18?