1. (THAT’S MORE THAN ONE THESIS, BTW) Theses

2. What do you know? On a sheet of paper, answer the following:  1.) What is the purpose of a thesis?  2.) Where should a thesis reside in an essay?  3.) How long should a thesis be?  4.) Is a thesis fact or opinion?  5.) What are some qualities of a strong thesis?

3. Setting it up 1.) Identify topic 2.) What’s your claim/stance? 3.) Roadmap - +/- 3 reasons OR umbrella statement TopicClaimRoadmap Thesis:

4. For example Educators often discuss whether high school sports have a positive influence on students. Some educators think high school sports do have a positive influence because the lessons learned from athletic competition add to the lessons learned in the classroom. Other educators think high school sports do not have a positive influence because the emphasis on sports often overshadows student achievement in other areas. In your opinion, do high school sports have a positive influence on students?

5. Continued… Topic Sports offered in HS Claim They have a positive influence Roadmap -Teach social skills -Teach time management -Exercise & benefits of hard work Thesis: High school sports unquestionably have a positive influence on high school students because they teach social skills, reinforce time-management skills, provide exercise and show the benefits of hard work.

6. Your turn The state of Illinois has been locked in a debate for several years as to whether the driving age should be raised from 16 to 18. Some people feel that 16-year- olds lack the responsibility and maturity to handle the significant privilege of driving. Others argue that 16-year-olds use their licenses for much more than social events. In your opinion, should the driving age be raised from 16 to 18? TopicClaimRoadmap Thesis:

7. Once more… Should cell phones be banned in high school? TopicClaimRoadmap Thesis:

8. Weak Theses Strong Theses Broad Vague  good, bad, right, wrong Ask questions End conversations States facts/observations Specific Clear Answer questions Start conversations Address the prompt Take a side  But often recognize the other side Strong vs. Weak