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