1. Developing a Thesis Statement
Lamar High School
Persuasive Writing Project

2. My Learning Plan
Part I: Can I identify a thesis? Part II: Can I evaluate a thesis? Part III: Can I write a thesis?

3. Identify a Thesis Statement
is usually a single sentence somewhere in your first paragraph that directly answers the essay prompt.
directly answers the question
provides organizational categories used in the essay.

4. Is this statement a thesis?
Essay Prompt: state your position on whether it is better to live in a large city or in a small town.
While I may miss the beauty and peace of the country life, comforts like entertainment and employment opportunities afforded by metropolitan areas are difficult to ignore.
YES
Why? It directly answers the question and provides two organizational categories.

5. Is this statement a thesis?
Essay Prompt: state your position on whether it is better to live in a large city or in a small town. I like living in a small town, but then I like living in a big city too. NO Why? It does not directly answer the question and provides no organizational categories.

6. Is this statement a thesis?
Essay Prompt: state your position on whether it is better to live in a large city or in a small town.
I think it’s better to live in a big city because you have a better opportunity to have a good job. NO
Why? It partially answers the question and organizational categories are limited.

7. Is this statement a thesis?
Essay Prompt: state your position on whether it is better to live in a large city or in a small town.
It is better to live in a small town where you can actually know and love the people and places around you.
YES
Why? It directly answers the question and provides two organizational categories.

8. Is this statement a thesis?
Essay Prompt: state your position on whether it is better to live in a large city or in a small town.
Small towns have been always in my top list of places to live. NO
Why? It does not directly answer the question and provides no organizational categories.

9. Evaluate a Thesis Statement
Use the top row of your rubric to evaluate the following thesis statements. Evaluate each as:
Advanced
Proficient
Emerging
Intervention Needed
Clear, complete, insightful
Clear and complete
Partially answers question
Minimally answers the question or no thesis

10. Score this thesis!
Essay Prompt: Should vending machines be banned in high schools? Because vending machines contribute to student obesity and encourage schools to choose profit over student health, they should be banned from high schools.

11. Score this thesis!
Essay Prompt: Should vending machines be banned in high schools? Because vending machines contribute to student obesity and encourage schools to choose profit over student health, they should be banned from high schools. ADVANCED Why? Clear, complete and insightful (choose profit over student health)

12. Score this thesis!
Essay Prompt: Should vending machines be banned in high schools? Vending machines can be both good and bad; mostly vending machines destroy kids’ health.

13. Score this thesis!
Essay Prompt: Should vending machines be banned in high schools? Vending machines can be both good and bad; mostly vending machines destroy kids’ health. NEEDS INTERVENTION Why? Vague, no clear position; one organizing category and it is worded dramatically. (destroy kids’ health…. seriously?)

14. Score this thesis!
Essay Prompt: Should vending machines be banned in high schools? Because vending machines provide schools money for special programs and can provide students healthy lunches and snacks, they should continue to be available to high school students.

15. Score this thesis!
Essay Prompt: Should vending machines be banned in high schools? Because vending machines provide schools money for special programs and can provide students healthy lunches and snacks, they should continue to be available to high school students. PROFICIENT Why? Clear, and complete

16. Score this thesis!
Essay Prompt: Should vending machines be banned in high schools? Vending machines themselves are not bad, but they sell way too much junk food.

17. Score this thesis!
Essay Prompt: Should vending machines be banned in high schools? Vending machines themselves are not bad, but they sell way too much junk food. EMERGING Why? Does not directly take a position; partially answers question

18. Score this thesis!
Essay Prompt: Should vending machines be banned in high schools? Vending machines are really popular with students and teachers. They are not a big issue in high school.

19. Score this thesis!
Essay Prompt: Should vending machines be banned in high schools? Vending machines are really popular with students and teachers. They are not a big issue in high school. NEEDS INTERVENTION Why? Does not directly answer the question.

20. Writing a Thesis Statement
Edit the two “Emerging” thesis statements so that they meet the “Proficient” or “Advanced” standard. Vending machines themselves are not bad, but they sell way too much junk food.
Thesis Criteria
Directly answers the question
Includes organizational categories
Is clear and complete
Is insightful (Advanced)

21. Writing a Thesis Statement
Rewrite the two “Emerging” thesis statements so that they meet the “Proficient” or “Advanced” standard. Vending machines are really popular with students and teachers. They are not a big issue in high school.
Thesis Criteria
Directly answers the question
Includes organizational categories
Is clear and complete
Is insightful (Advanced)

22. Developing a Thesis Statement
Lamar High School
Persuasive Writing Project