1. Making a persuasive argument: interactive workshop

2. What makes a thesis statement strong? A single, specific claim that your essay supports Includes:  a topic  a precise opinion  your reasoning A thesis should be: specific debatable

3. Example “The overall effects of Walmart are negative because of its low quality products, unattractive stores, and the increase of traffic it brings to a community.” Topic: Whether Walmart has a negative or positive effect. Precise Opinion: Effects are negative Reasoning: Low quality products, unattractive stores, and increase of traffic.

4. Why is this not a thesis statement? Not a thesis: There are many opinions on whether Walmart has negative or positive effects that I will examine throughout the course of this paper.

5. Thesis statements are not just opinion statements Not an effective thesis: The overall effects of Walmart are negative.

6. In Conclusion Your thesis should make clear what your argument is; it should also provide the reader with some indication of why your argument is persuasive.

7. Arguments What arguments could you use to support a thesis that Walmart has had on balance a positive effect?

8. Arguments What arguments could you use to support a thesis that Walmart has had on balance a negative effect?

9. Thesis Statement Using these arguments and counterarguments, what would you propose as a effective thesis statement?

10. Using Evidence Using these arguments and counterarguments, what would you propose as a effective thesis statement? What evidence would you need to see in order to be persuaded of the merit of this claim?

11. Organization and Sequencing Write your thesis statement (precise opinion with reasons for holding that opinion) down on one of the pieces of paper we handed out Write each of the arguments you will use to support this thesis statement on separate slips of paper (and note the evidence you will use that support the argument) Write each of the counterarguments you will want to address in your paper on separate slips of paper What sequencing could you use to make your argument most persuasive?