Identifying the Thesis Statement:Get off the fence and take a position on a debatable topic.

”Fence" by Henry Burrows is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

The Seahawks will come back stronger than ever and win the Super Bowl next year!

”Super Bowl Rally" by Scott Iwata is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

"Message to the World" by Eduard V. Kurganov is licensed under CC BY 2.0

"Treating Refugees as the Problem is the Problem" by Takver is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

"No Fracking" by The Weekly Bull is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

"Puppy Service Announcement" by dancingshiba is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

The Primary Characteristic ofthe Thesis Statement: A Debatable Claim

All individuals should become a vegetarian.

To ensure a better education, public schools must require students to wear uniforms.

Stricter speed limit laws are needed to reduce traffic accidents.

The Common Thread: Someone can disagree with each of the statements

All individuals should become a vegetarian. (No way! That is an unhealthy way to eat.)To ensure a better education, public schools must require students to wear uniforms. (No way! That is a violation of my First Amendment rights!)Stricter speed limit laws are needed to reduce traffic accidents. (No way! Speed limit laws are already too strict.)

Why Are These Poor Examples of Thesis Statements?

Steroid use is a growing issue in sports.

Bullying is a problem on high school campuses all across the country.

Some states are adopting policies that require teenagers to be 18 before they are eligible to obtain a driver’s license.

You Can’t Argue Facts. There’s Nothing to Debate.Steroid use is a growing issue in sports. True. I can’t argue otherwise.Bullying is a problem on high school campuses all across the country. True. I can’t argue otherwise.Some states are adopting policies that require teenagers to be 18 before they are eligible to obtain a driver’s license True. I can’t argue otherwise.

Location of a Thesis Statement

Introductory Paragraph

Final Sentence of the first paragraph

Introductory Paragraph ExampleStudent AProfessor SmithEnglish 10114 March XXXX

School Uniforms: A Critical SolutionAll too often, we hear tragic reports coming out of

public schools. Bullying has left children frightened to go to school. School shootings have left students and teachers dead. Academic scores continue to decline, and teachers are unable to control classrooms. These are not the public schools of fifty years ago. Public debate rages on as to the best approach to making the public school classroom a safe and educational environment once again. One strategy that has many people considering is the implementation a school uniform policy. With that bold decision has come a safer school environment, better academic scores, and teachers who are able to prepare our students for the challenges of the future. Because of these many benefits, it is imperative that all public schools require students to wear uniforms.

Introductory Paragraph Example with Thesis HighlightedStudent AProfessor SmithEnglish 10114 March XXXX

All too often, we hear tragic reports coming out of public schools. Bullying has left children frightened to go to school. School shootings have left students and teachers dead. Academic scores continue to decline, and teachers are unable to control classrooms. These are not the public schools of fifty years ago. Public debate rages on as to the best approach to making the public school classroom a safe and educational environment once again. One strategy that has many people considering is the implementation a school uniform policy. With that bold decision has come a safer school environment, better academic scores, and teachers who are able to prepare our students for the challenges of the future. Because of these many benefits, it is imperative that all public schools require students to wear uniforms.

Student A argues that “Because of these many benefits, it is imperative that all public schools require students to wear uniforms. “

Since someone can disagree and say, “No, school uniforms are a bad idea and a violation of student’s rights,” then we know the student wrote an effective thesis statement.

Summary-When writing an argumentative/persuasive thesis statement for a research paper, you must take a position on a debatable topic. If someone can disagree with you, then you have most likely done it correctly. Using words/phrases such as “should,” “must,” and “are needed” almost always produce a solid thesis statement.

”Fence" by Henry Burrows is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

The Thesis Statement by Anne Eidenmuller is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0