1.True or False
True or False: A good thesis statement is a simple fact.
False. Good thesis statements need to be arguable.
Which of the following makes the best thesis statement? A: Even though marriage is a strong and respected institution in Russia, more and more people are choosing to live together before marriage, despite the cultural pressures. B: I am going to explain why many couples in Russia are choosing to live together rather than get married. C: In this essay, I will make an argument about marriage in Russia.
A. A thesis statement should not directly announce your topic by using phrases such as, "This essay will talk about…"
A. Scarification among the different ethnic groups in Ethiopia reflects the pride that people have for their tribe as well as the desire for identification between groups. B. Why people from many ethnic groups in Ethiopia scar themselves. C. In this essay, I will argue why people from many different ethnic groups in Ethiopia scar themselves.
A.
Nominate one person from your group to write the revision on the board. The problem of pollution in big cities.
Example: The problem of pollution in major cities can be alleviated by limiting the number of cars allowed to drive on city streets, increasing the minimum gas mileage on cars and creating more efficient public transportation systems.
True or False: A good thesis statement sticks to asserting one main idea.
True. A good thesis statement will focus on the one, central idea of the essay.
Which of these is a thesis statement? A. Knowing a foreign language. B. Why should people know a foreign language? C. Knowing a foreign language is a very useful skill because it can help one advance in a career, relate better to others, and open one's mind to the ideas of another culture.
C. A thesis statement is a complete sentence. A thesis statement is not a question. A thesis statement make an argument.
A. Something should be done to alleviate homelessness in Mississippi because there are a lot of homeless people and helping them is the morally right thing to do. B. There are high numbers of homeless people living in Mississippi. Something should be done to help the homeless population. C. Homeless people in Mississippi should be given access to services—such as regular food donations, public restrooms, and camping facilities—because it would improve life for all inhabitants of the city.
Nominate one person from your group to write the revision on the board. Being a vegetarian is better.
Example: Being a vegetarian is preferable to eating meat for mental, spiritual, and physical reasons.
True or False: The thesis statement can begin with "In this paper, I will argue that..."
False. The thesis statement should not tell your reader what you will do in the paper.
Which of these is a thesis statement? A. Michaelangelo's artwork is powerful because of its strong spiritual undertones. B. Michaelangelo's artwork is famous and is admired by many. C. Michaelangelo was a great artist in Rome during the 1500's.
A. A thesis statement states an attitude or opinion on a topic. It doesn't just state the topic, itself. A thesis should not be a fact.
A. Living in a small town is better than living in a big city, and more people should choose to live in a small town. B. Living in a big city has many headaches, which is why living in a small town is better. C. Living in a small town is better than living in a big city because it is easier to create relationships with your neighbors and the pace of life is much healthier.
C
Nominate one person from your group to write the revision on the board. Young people today are different from their parents.
Example: You people today are different from their parents in the way they socialize, dress and choose what to eat.
True or False: The thesis statement is always one-two sentences at the end of the introduction.
True. Your thesis should be 1-2 sentences at the end of the introduction.
Which of these makes the best thesis statement?
A. The North and South fought the Civil War for many reasons, some of which were the same and some different. B. Americans should eliminate the regular consumption of fast food because a fast food diet leads to preventable and expensive health issues, such as diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. C. Eating fast food is bad and should be avoided.
B. A thesis statement can be made more specific by listing subtopics. These help give your reader a clear idea of what will follow in your essay. Remember, a good thesis statement will usually have a "because" clause.
A. Some of the major causes behind common diseases in the United States could be traced to three main factors: poor diet, lack of exercise, and smoking. B. What are some of the main causes behind many of our diseases in the United States today? C. This essay examines some of the major causes behind many of our diseases in the United States today.
A.
Nominate one person from your group to write the revision on the board. Schools should start late in the day to promote better concentration.
Example: Schools should start later in the morning, as it increases concentration in the classroom, gives students who work late more time to be rested, and even gives teachers a better chance to prepare for the day.
True or False: "Child abuse is a terrible problem.", the above statement is a poor thesis statement.
True. This statement is only pointing out the obvious--most reasonable people agree that child abuse is both terrible, and a problem.
Which of these makes the best thesis statement? A. Franklin Delano Roosevelt began the system of Social Security during the depression years in the 1930s. B. We shouldn't have Social Security anymore. C. The current system of Social Security needs a complete overhaul in administration and philosophy if it is going to benefit future generations.
C. A-a fact; B-too general; C-states one main idea with two subtopics.
A. There are many ways in which you can look for a new house. B. You can look for a new house by reading the classified ads, talking to a realtor, or talking with friends about houses in the area in which you want to live. C. Buying a new house is a difficult thing to do.
B.
Nominate one from your group and write the revision on the board. Why should marijuana be legalized?
Example: Marijuana should be legalized because it is not any more addictive than tobacco, it can reduce drug crimes and it can provide numerous medicinal benefits for those suffering from terminal illnesses.