August 25, 2014

Identify and correct the ten mistakes in the following paragraph. Richard Nixon became president of the United States on January 29, In 1972, a break-in was discover at the head quarters of the Democratic National Committee in Washington, D.C. Soon investigators lerned that members of President Nixon’s re-election committee was involved in the brake-in, That information led to Nixon’s resignation on August He were the first – and only – U.S. president too resign in office.

I can write an effective thesis statement, using parallel structure.

Complete the 10 MC questions over independent and dependent clauses and recognizing clauses/phrases.

Return MC handout. Go over and correct answers.

The title of your paper Title: The Fad of Divorce Thesis: Too many people get divorced for trivial reasons. An announcement of the subject Announcement: I want to share some thoughts with you about our space program. Thesis: It is time to close down our space program. pg.5

A Statement of Absolute Fact Fact: Jane Austen is the author of Pride and Prejudice. Thesis: Pride and Prejudice is Jane Austen’s best work. The whole essay pg. 6

One complete sentence The main idea of your essay Takes a stand and expresses an attitude; makes a judgment or interpretation (what you will prove about your topic) Restricted, unified, specific

POOR: The American auto industry has many problems. BETTER: The worst problem of the American auto industry is unfair competition from foreign countries. POOR: Crime must be stopped. BETTER: The courts should hand out tougher sentences to habitual criminals. Pg. 6

POOR: The new health program is excellent, but it has several drawbacks, and it should be run only on an experimental basis for two or three years. BETTER: Despite its general excellence, the new health care program should be run only on an experimental basis for two or three years. POOR: Drug addiction is a big problem. BETTER: Drug addiction has caused a huge increase in violent crimes. Drug addiction has caused a huge increase in violent crimes in the home, at school, and on the streets. Pg. 7-8

In this project I will outline the three major issues of the Civil War. The dessert known as “peach melba” was named for the opera singer Dame Nellie Melba. Comic Books: Not Just for Kids Some students show more resourcefulness at making excuses than at getting their work done. The more sensible a parent’s advice to a teenager, the more likely it is to be scorned or ignored. Pg. 9

During the Middle Ages, Islam was far more tolerant of other religions that was Christianity. There’s a sucker born every minute. (P.T. Barnum) Dieters I have known almost always regain their lost weight. Obesity is a series health problem, but the media have exaggerated the dangers, and many diets can bring about health problems of their own. pg. 10

Stephen King’s books have more literary merit than most critics want to admit. The U.S. health care system is in serious trouble. Raising the standard retirement age from sixty- five to sixty-seven would make a major contribution toward helping the Social Security system. My skiing vacation was one long series of annoyances, mishaps, and disasters. Pg. 10

You can use these thesis statement templates to get started with writing thesis statements. These should only be used to create your first thesis statement. It should be tweaked so that it doesn’t sound awkward or mechanical in your actual essay. When I read your essay, the thesis statement should not be in template form. For Rhetorical Analysis: This text (is/is not) effective in using (name the strategies) to convince (name the audience) of (name the purpose). For an Argument Essay: Topic + Attitude + Action Verb + Reasons + Universal Idea For a Narrative Essay: (Event) (had/did not have) a significant impact on my life because (reasons). For a Literacy Narrative Essay: (Experiences/Events) had a (positive/negative) impact on making me the (writer/reader) I am today.

For each topic below, write a thesis statement. The most important day of your life. The role of people with disabilities in society. The relationship between thinking, reading, and writing Turn these in for review.

You can put this on the thesis statement practice sheet. What do you find easy about thesis statements? What do you find difficult about thesis statements?