1. Thesis Statements
LT: I can write an arguable thesis statement that expresses the significance of my topic.

2. Why do I need a thesis?
Your thesis is the foundation of your paper or speech
It acts as a roadmap to your essay or speech (prepares your audience)
It provides your position on a topic

3. What makes a good thesis?
Schools should provide laptops to all students.
Arguable
This is how you use a laptop.
Answers a big question your speech will work to answer
What can be done to improve student access to technology?

4. How do I write a thesis?
Topic: What is the subject/topic of your speech?
Assertion: An assertion is a direct and forceful statement of fact or belief
So What: What is the problem and why should we care about it?
Thesis= Topic + Assertion + So what

5. How do I write a thesis? Topic: The technology gap amongst students
Assertion: Schools should provide laptops to each student.
So What: Many students don’t have reliable access to computers and internet at home, which can make school more challenging and lead to a lack of computer skills needed in our world today. It will help close the divide between students with different resources.
Thesis: Many students don’t have reliable access to computers at home, which can lead to falling behind in school and low computer skills needed for a future career; therefore, the Anoka-Hennepin school district should provide personal laptops to each student in order to close the technology gap amongst students.

6. Homework: Today’s task in the lab Research
Work on your thesis statement (DUE FRIDAY by END of the hour)