1. A thesis statement tells the reader what topic author is considering, what his/her argument is about that topic, and why he/she believes that his/her argument is true. Definition:

2. Example Thesis: “When considering what fruit to have for a snack, grapes are always a better choice than oranges, because they are sweeter, bite-sized, and don’t have to be peeled.”

3. Example Thesis: “When considering what fruit to have for a snack, grapes are always a better choice than oranges, because they are sweeter, bite-sized, and don’t have to be peeled.”

4. YESNO Students like soda, so they’ll be happier if they can buy it. Soda has caffeine, so if a student is tired it could help him or her stay awake. There should be a variety of options, because middle school students are old enough to make their own choices. The school could make money off of it. Soda can make students hyper, which might make it hard to concentrate. Soda can damage students’ teeth, Students would have to bring money, and it might get stolen. Student might spend all of their money on soda. Having sodas in school will make the school messier. Soda is not as good for you as water, milk, or juice. Should middle schools be allowed to sell soda to students?

5. My Claim “Middle schools should not be allowed to sell soda to students.”

6. Example Thesis: “When considering what fruit to have for a snack, grapes are always a better choice than oranges, because they are sweeter, bite-sized, and don’t have to be peeled.”

7. YESNO Students like soda, so they’ll be happier if they can buy it. Soda has caffeine, so if a student is tired it could help him or her stay awake. There should be a variety of options, because middle school students are old enough to make their own choices. The school could make money off of it. The caffeine in soda can make students hyper, which might make it hard to concentrate. The sugar in soda can damage students’ teeth, Students would have to bring money, and it might get stolen. Student might spend all of their money on soda. Having sodas in school will make the school messier. Soda is not as good for you as water, milk, or juice. Should middle schools be allowed to sell soda to students?

8. My Claim and Support “Middle schools should not be allowed to sell soda to students, because soda can make students hyper, damage students’ teeth, and make a school messier.”

9. Example Thesis: “When considering what fruit to have for a snack, grapes are always a better choice than oranges, because they are sweeter, bite-sized, and don’t have to be peeled.”

10. My Claim, Support, and Occasion “Despite the fact that many middle school students love soda, middle schools should not be allowed to sell soda to students, because soda can make students hyper, damage students’ teeth, and make a school messier.”

11. My Completed Thesis “Despite the fact that many middle school students love soda, middle schools should not be allowed to sell soda to students, because soda can make students hyper, damage students’ teeth, and make a school messier.”

12. 1. Make a claim! __________________________________ CLAIM 2. Support your claim! __________________________________ CLAIM because/by/through/etc. ____________________, ____________________, ____________________. SUPPORT #1SUPPORT #2SUPPORT #3 3. Add an occasion. Despite/If/While/In/Etc. _________________________________, __________________________________ OCCASIONCLAIM because/by/through/etc. ____________________, ________________________, _____________________. SUPPORT #1 SUPPORT #2SUPPORT # 3 Writing Your Thesis