1. Topics & Thesis Statements

2. * It is the guiding focus for your entire essay. * It is the main or controlling point * Everything in your essay should support your thesis - Nothing should appear in the body of the paper that does not directly connect to the thesis statement * Other names for “thesis”: * controlling idea * main idea * focal statement

3. * Includes your position * Contains only one main idea * States something worthwhile—not obvious * Has an argument built into it * Is specific * It is narrow enough to fit the assignment * It is easily recognized as the main idea * It appears as the last sentence or two of your introduction

4. * Don’t just announce your subject matter. * Don’t state a fact or statistic—a thesis must be debatable. * Don’t use “in my opinion” or “I think” or “I feel” or “I believe”; this creates a non- debatable thesis. * Don’t form your thesis as a question

5. * For each of the prompts: * Read the prompt * Determine what is being asked of you as a writer * Write a strong thesis to address the prompt

6. Read in the following information. Many people have succeeded in life or gained wisdom from someone who mentored them. Helen Keller, a blind and deaf woman, greatly benefited from the instruction of Annie Sullivan. Through Mrs. Sullivan’s teaching, Keller learned how to communicate using sign language and went on to achieve in school and in life. Think about people who mentor and guide others and what enables them to be such influential figures. Write an essay explaining what qualities are needed to mentor someone.

7. Read the following quotation. “Words make you think a thought. Music makes you feel a feeling. [Therefore] a song makes you feel a thought.” – E.Y. Harburg, lyricist and poet Think about a song that you really like and that holds special meaning for you. Write an essay explaining the impact of a particular song or music has on your life.

8. Read the synopsis. A marketing firm researched how to sell more books to teenagers. It conducted a study in which teens cited writing as one of their main creative outlets. They also said their “ideal” activity is reading a book, followed by exercising and shopping. Although teens surveyed said that reading is an “ideal” activity, they revealed that they are actually much more likely to spend their free time surfing the Internet, watching TV, and listening to music. (Based on the article “As If! Marketing to Older Teens” by Judith Rosen) Think about the impact of modern entertainment on teenagers’ lives today. Write an essay explaining why people choose to engage in modern entertainment over reading books.

9. Read the synopsis. A Canadian born pop singer, Justin Bieber was only 14 years old in 2008 when he was discovered and signed by music giant Usher. He became the first artist ever to have seven songs from a debut album on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. A London newspaper has since labeled him more influential in the social networking sphere than Barack Obama or the Dalai Lama. Think about the idea of becoming famous at a very young age. Write an essay explaining whether someone can have too much fame.