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Developing a Thesis Statement
Lamar High SchoolPersuasive Writing Project
My Learning Plan
Part I: Can I identify a thesis?
Part II: Can I evaluate a thesis?
Part III: Can I write a thesis?
Identify a Thesis Statement
A thesis….•is usually a single sentence somewhere in your first paragraph that directly answers the essay prompt.•directly answers the question•provides organizational categories used in the essay.
Is this statement a thesis?Essay Prompt: state your position on whether it is better to live in a large city or in a small town.
While I may miss the beauty and peace of the country life, comforts like entertainment and
employment opportunities afforded by metropolitan areas are difficult to ignore.
YESWhy? It directly answers the question and provides two
organizational categories.
Is this statement a thesis?Essay Prompt: state your position on whether it is better to live in a large city or in a small town.
I like living in a small town, but then I like living in a big city too.
NOWhy? It does not directly answer the question
and provides no organizational categories.
Is this statement a thesis?Essay Prompt: state your position on whether it is
better to live in a large city or in a small town.
I think it’s better to live in a big city because you have a better opportunity to have a good job.
NOWhy? It partially answers the question and
organizational categories are limited.
Is this statement a thesis?Essay Prompt: state your position on whether it is better to live in a large city or in a small town.
It is better to live in a small town where you can actually know and love the people and places around
you.YES
Why? It directly answers the question and provides two organizational categories.
Is this statement a thesis?Essay Prompt: state your position on whether it is better to live in a large city or in a small town.
Small towns have been always in my top list of places to live.
NOWhy? It does not directly answer the question
and provides no organizational categories.
Evaluate a Thesis Statement
Use the top row of your rubric to evaluate the following thesis statements. Evaluate each as:
Advanced Proficient Emerging Intervention Needed
Clear, complete, insightful
Clear and complete
Partially answers question
Minimally answers the question or no
thesis
Score this thesis!
Essay Prompt: Should vending machines be banned in high schools?
Because vending machines contribute to student obesity and encourage schools to choose profit
over student health, they should be banned from high schools.
Score this thesis!
Essay Prompt: Should vending machines be banned in high schools?
Because vending machines contribute to student obesity and encourage schools to choose profit over
student health, they should be banned from high schools.
ADVANCEDWhy? Clear, complete and insightful (choose profit
over student health)
Score this thesis!
Essay Prompt: Should vending machines be banned in high schools?
Vending machines can be both good and bad; mostly vending machines destroy kids’ health.
Score this thesis!
Essay Prompt: Should vending machines be banned in high schools?
Vending machines can be both good and bad; mostly vending machines destroy kids’ health.
NEEDS INTERVENTIONWhy? Vague, no clear position; one organizing
category and it is worded dramatically. (destroy kids’ health…. seriously?)
Score this thesis!
Essay Prompt: Should vending machines be banned in high schools?
Because vending machines provide schools money for special programs and can provide
students healthy lunches and snacks, they should continue to be available to high school
students.
Score this thesis!
Essay Prompt: Should vending machines be banned in high schools?
Because vending machines provide schools money for special programs and can provide students
healthy lunches and snacks, they should continue to be available to high school students.
PROFICIENTWhy? Clear, and complete
Score this thesis!
Essay Prompt: Should vending machines be banned in high schools?
Vending machines themselves are not bad, but they sell way too much junk food.
Score this thesis!
Essay Prompt: Should vending machines be banned in high schools?
Vending machines themselves are not bad, but they sell way too much junk food.
EMERGING
Why? Does not directly take a position; partially answers question
Score this thesis!
Essay Prompt: Should vending machines be banned in high schools?
Vending machines are really popular with students and teachers. They are not a big issue
in high school.
Score this thesis!
Essay Prompt: Should vending machines be banned in high schools?
Vending machines are really popular with students and teachers. They are not a big issue
in high school.
NEEDS INTERVENTIONWhy? Does not directly answer the question.
Writing a Thesis StatementEdit the two “Emerging” thesis statements so that they meet the “Proficient” or “Advanced”
standard.
Vending machines themselves are not bad, but they sell way too much junk food.
Thesis Criteria
• Directly answers the question• Includes organizational categories• Is clear and complete• Is insightful (Advanced)
Writing a Thesis StatementRewrite the two “Emerging” thesis statements
so that they meet the “Proficient” or “Advanced” standard.
Vending machines are really popular with students and teachers. They are not a big issue
in high school.
Thesis Criteria
• Directly answers the question• Includes organizational categories• Is clear and complete• Is insightful (Advanced)
Developing a Thesis Statement
Lamar High SchoolPersuasive Writing Project