1. DESIGNING A THESIS STATEMENT KEYS TO SUCCESS Address the prompt directly with a STRONG THESIS STATEMENT. THESIS STATEMENT = Counterargument + Assertion + Reasons/Support Elaborate within the body of your essay. Include examples/anecdotes to back up your assertion. The more examples you provide, the stronger your essay will be. Eliminate phrases like “I think” or “In my opinion” from your thesis statement in order to strengthen your argument from the start.

2. EXAMPLE: Prompt: Many schools require students to participate in volunteer programs in their communities as a requirement for graduation. However, some people feel that requiring students to volunteer defeats the purpose of volunteering. Do you think students should be required to volunteer in their communities to receive their high school diplomas? Take a position on this issue. Support your response with reasons and specific examples.

3. Strong Thesis Statement: Although many feel that requiring students to volunteer defeats the purpose of volunteering (COUNTERARGUMENT), high school students should be required to participate in volunteer programs in their communities as a requirement for graduation (ASSERTION) because (1) volunteering allows students to get a better sense of their community and the world at large, (2)it makes students more appreciative of what they have, and (3) it gives students the opportunity to discover new areas of interest that they could then pursue further in the future (REASONS/SUPPORT).

4. Prompt: Because of safety concerns, many states have increased the age at which teens can begin to drive. Your state legislature is considering raising the minimum driving age from 16 to 18. Do you think the minimum driving age should be raised? Take a position on this issue. Support your response with reasons and specific examples.

5. Counterargument: Assertion: Reasons/Support Strong Thesis Statement:

6. POSSIBLE THESIS STATEMENT: Teenage accident rates and mortality rates have increased dramatically over the years. No matter how much they try, parents and law enforcers cannot protect teens all the time, especially from themselves. As a result, the legislature has proposed an increased driving age from sixteen to eighteen to try to alleviate these issues. Increasing the minimum driving age will help protect our citizens by better preparing drivers, increasing safety for motorists, and setting a higher level of maturity on the road.