Assertion – Where you stand on the issue.

Preview of Reasons – Roadmap for your body paragraphs and what support you have in your essay.

Elements of a Thesis

An effective thesis statement clearly communicates your essay’s main idea. Is more than a general subject, a statement

of fact, or an announcement of your intent. Is carefully worded.

Single sentence Direct and straightforward – “What happens in

vagueness stays in vagueness.” Suggests your essay’s direction, emphasis,

scope.

Characteristics

1. Some people believe in praising a student’s work to build self-esteem, even if the work is not the student’s best effort.

2. They believe that students must be self-confident in order to learn.

3. Others believe that praise given for deficient work undermines learning by lowering standards.

4. They believe that the source of true self-esteem is achievement.

5. Does true self-esteem come from praise or does it come from achievement?

6. Take a position on this issue.7. Use reasons and specific examples to support

your ideas.What is the main question of Prompt #33?

1. Some people believe in praising a student’s work to build self-esteem, even if the work is not the student’s best effort.

2. They believe that students must be self-confident in order to learn.

3. Others believe that praise given for deficient work undermines learning by lowering standards.

4. They believe that the source of true self-esteem is achievement.

5. Does true self-esteem come from praise or does it come from achievement?

6. Take a position on this issue.7. Use reasons and specific examples to support your

ideas.

Main Question

{ {Agree Disagree

Creating an Assertion

Does true self-esteem come from praise or does it come from achievement?

{ {True self-esteem comes from praise because…

1. 2. 3.

True self-esteem comes from achievement because…

1. 2. 3.

Creating Reasons

self-esteem comes from praise/true self-esteem emerges from achievement because Reason 1 and Reason 2

Example Thesis for Prompt #33

{Are you my thesis?

“In this essay, I am going to explain to you why the destination is more important than the journey.”

Are you my thesis?

“In this essay, I am going to explain to you why the destination is more important than the journey.”

This is an announcement of your intent. There is no preview of reasons. It uses “You.” It may be a thesis, but it could be stronger.

Kind of…

“Cell phones in the classroom.”

Are you my thesis?

“Cell phones in the classroom.”

This is a subject. There is no assertion/argument and no preview of reasons.

NO!!!

“I love volunteering at my local soup kitchen. School should require it.”

Are you my thesis?

“I love volunteering at my local soup kitchen. School should require it.”

This is an assertion/argument. It is two sentences. There is no preview of reasons.

Not quite…

Some people believe that the destination is more important than the journey, but I believe the journey is more significant because it is more fulfilling and gives a greater understanding one’s identity.

Are you my thesis?

The journey is more significant than the destination because it is more fulfilling and gives a greater understanding to one’s identity. It has a clear assertion and preview of

reasons. It is one sentence and concisely stated.

YES!