Name______Date: ______Pd: ______
Thesis Statement Practice 8 A thesis statement is one sentence which expresses the main idea of your paper.
A thesis statement: 1. provides author with a direction to write his or her paper; and 2. provides the reader with an idea as to what the paper will be about.
In the activities that follow, construct a thesis statement for each of the topic questions. For each question, 1. write a declaration (you opinion on the topic), 2. three reasons to support your declaration, 3. one reason to oppose your declaration, 4. and a thesis statement for each.
The first example has been completed for you. Follow this example closely for the remaining five topic questions.
Topic Question Should high school students have a curfew?
Declaration/ High school students should have an enforced curfew. Opinion on the Topic
Three Reasons to 1. Students are less likely to get into trouble if they are home. Support your Opinion 2. Students need their rest for school.
3. Being behind the wheel of a vehicle during the early morning hours increases their chances of accidents.
One Reason to 1. The police officers have more important things to worry about than Oppose your whether or not a high school student is out after curfew. Opinion
Thesis Statement Even though police officers have more important things to worry about, high school students should have an enforced curfew because students need their rest for school, are less likely to get into trouble, or have accidents if the curfew is enforced. Topic Question Most students enjoy summer vacation, but some educators feel that the summer break is too long and that students do not retain information as easily when they return in the fall. Some people argue that there should be year-round schools, where there would be a 3–4 week break in the summer, a longer winter break, and a week off in the spring and fall. Does this sound like a good idea to you? Why or why not? Take a position on the issue. Support your response with reasons and examples.(Hyphenated words may show as misspelled in the online Writing Tool; however, this will not negatively affect a student’s score.)
Declaration/ Opinion on the Topic
Three Reasons to 1. Support your Opinion 2.
3.
One Reason to 1. Oppose your Opinion
Thesis Statement
Topic Question Philosopher, physician, and humanitarian Albert Schweitzer said, “Example is not the main thing in influencing others; it is the only thing.” Is setting a good example by your own behavior the best way to influence other people, or are there better ways to influence others? Take a position on the issue. Support your response with reasons and examples.
Declaration/ Opinion on the Topic
Three Reasons to 1. Support your Opinion 2. 3.
One Reason to 1. Oppose your Opinion
Thesis Statement
Topic Question Many people feel that American society is too competitive. Does competition lead to better products and results, or does it lead to a focus on winning at all costs? Is fierce competition a good idea or bad idea? Take a position on the issue. Support your response with reasons and examples.
Declaration/ Opinion on the Topic
Three Reasons to 1. Support your Opinion 2.
3.
One Reason to 1. Oppose your Opinion
Thesis Statement
Topic Question Many students become involved in extracurricular activities to enrich their educational experiences, and some even become involved in so many activities that they have little time to study or complete homework assignments. Should schools control student involvement in extracurricular activities, or should the decision regarding extracurricular involvement be left to students and their families? Take a position on the issue. Support your response with reasons and examples. Declaration/ Opinion on the Topic
Three Reasons to 1. Support your Opinion 2.
3.
One Reason to 1. Oppose your Opinion
Thesis Statement
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