Session+14

=__14.1: Brainstorm__= What is a thesis statement? Why are thesis statements so important? **A thesis statement is the topic sentence that starts off a paper or essay. It's important because it tells you what the paper is about.**

__ **14.2 - Defining Thesis Statements** __

__Thesis Statements__
a. What is my topic? b. What argument am I prepared to make? c. How can I state my argument as clearly and powerfully as possible? d. Is my statement a direct answer to the question or response to the prompt or claim about the topic?
 * 1) A thesis statement is an argument. It is a 1-2 sentence statement of the purpose of your essay: what will you be proving to the reader in the essay?
 * 2) It should be toward the end of an introductory paragraph and include enough specifics that the reader has a general idea of the key points you will make to support your biggest claim.
 * 3) Your thesis statement should likely be a compound sentence, including a preview of the major points you will make to support your big claim. So, instead of writing a simple thesis statement like "The end of World War II brought about major consequences" you should probably write something like "When World War II ended in 1945, the major consequences included the division of Germany, the start of the United Nations, and the beginning of the Cold War."
 * 4) To write your thesis, ask yourself 4 questions:

**A compound sentence is a sentence with 2 independent clauses.** **The second sentence is better because it's clearer and is more powerful because it lists specific examples.** 
 * DEFINE compound sentence.
 * In number 3, explain why the second example thesis statement is better than the first.

=__ **14.3: Examples** __= For each of the following statements, highlight the choice you think is better. Then explain why you think it is the better choice.

**Choice 1:** Aid from the French helped turn the tide of the American Revolution toward victory for the colonists. This, in addition to their previously held advantages of strong military leadership and homeland advantage, led the colonists to win the war and gain their independence. **Choice 2**: In the late 18th century, after years of protesting unfair laws and many key battles, the American colonists won independence from their mother country of Great Britain. **Answer:** **Choice 1 went more into detail by including the main factors that helped American colonists to get their independence from Britain. Choice 2 mentions unfair laws and key battles, but it doesn't clarify. **
 * //Prompt A// **: Why were the American colonists successful in winning independence from the British in the late 18th century?


 * //Prompt B://** In what ways was the abolition movement of 19th century America divided?
 * Choice 1**: The abolition movement of 19th century America was divided in terms of both tactics and goals, as there were strong, differing opinions over how to most effectively make abolition occur and the process by which complete abolition should be sought.
 * Choice 2:** Leading up to the Civil War, the abolition movement in America was divided, but ultimately remained united enough to push leaders of the country to end slavery forever.
 * Answer:** **Choice 2 strays away from the question being asked, while Choice 1 clearly answers the question by stating the ways that the abolition movement divided America.**

**//Prompt C//:** To what extent did Andrew Jackson’s presidency benefit the United States of America? **Choice 1:** Despite his record on treatment of Native Americans, Andrew Jackson’s presidency greatly benefited the U.S. due to his administration’s work on expanding voting rights and economic policies. **Choice 2:** Andrew Jackson was the eighth president of the United States and known for being the symbol of Jacksonian Democracy. **Answer:** **Choice 2 tells us who Jackson was, but doesn't really answer the question. Choice 1 would be better because it it clearly states an argument that also answers the question.**

**14.4: Practice thesis writing**

//Choose five// of the topics/questions/prompts below to create a thesis statement. Remember: your thesis should be a compound sentence.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">-What is the best fast food restaurant operating today? <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #4c0fdb; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline;">** Their fire-broiled burgers, crispy french fries, and delicious chicken sandwhiches makes Burger King the best fast food restaurant open today. **

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">-Analyze the reasons for which some teenagers drop out of school. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #4c0fdb; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline;">** One might say that thr typical high school dropout is just a lazy kid who lacks motivation; however, this is not always the case. Other reasonsa teenager may drop out of school could be a bad home situation, lack of a supportive authority figure, social problems, or a leaarning dsability. **

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">-Asses this statement: no movie should ever have a sequel. <span style="color: #4c0fdb; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">** ﻿ ﻿ ﻿ ﻿ ﻿     I do agree that there are some moves that are better off without a sequel; however, I do believe that a movie with an interesting story line that has the ability to captivate an audience, like the Harry Potter series, should continue on to make a sequel. **

-<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">What are the reasons that a ratings system has been implemented for video games?
 * By notifying parents of the content of video games and letting them decide on their own what is suitable for their kids, the rating system on the games has helped to keep kids away from games that may otherwise be too inappropiate for them to play.**

-<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Should immigrants be allowed into the United States if they cannot speak basic English?
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> ﻿ ﻿ ﻿ ﻿ ﻿ ﻿ ﻿ ﻿ ﻿ ﻿         Although it may prove to be extremely difficult for an immigrant who doesn't have a basic understanding of the English language to make a life for themselves in America, like getting a job or the ability to get around, I believe it's unethical to deny someone access into the country because of a language barrier. ﻿ ﻿ ﻿ ﻿ ﻿ ﻿ ﻿ ﻿ ﻿ ﻿           **