1. The super-focused, super- awesome, ROCKSTAR sentence.

2. Today, we’ll be learning how to: Plan your essay with 4 square.

4. Thesis Statement
Why is a Thesis Statement Important?
Like a human linked with his avatar, a thesis sentence must be linked with the rest of your essay.

5. 1.) A road map for your essay
2.) The statement of purpose for the essay
How do I write a thesis?
1.) Use key words from the prompt
2.) topic + position + reason/method
What is a thesis statement?

6. topic + position + reason/method
SAMPLE PROMPT: Write an essay explaining why it is important to forgive.
topic + position + reason/method
WEAK THESIS: It is important to forgive because they feel bad.
BETTER THESIS: It is important to forgive because it isn’t good to hold a grudge.
STRONG THESIS: It is crucial to forgive others because holding onto anger only causes more pain.

7. In order to prevent this…
We must practice…

8. topic + position + reason/method
SAMPLE PROMPT #1: Write an essay explaining why Americans should stop eating fast food.
WEAK THESIS: Eating fast food is bad and should be avoided.
BETTER THESIS: Americans should stop eating fast food because it is bad for their health.
STRONG THESIS: Americans should eliminate regular consumption of fast food because it leads to serious health issues.
topic + position + reason/method

9. SAMPLE PROMPT #2: Write an essay explaining why more should be done to help the homeless.
Which thesis is weak? Better? Strong? How do you know?
1.) More assistance should be provided to the homeless because it improves the community as a whole.
2.) Helping others is the best thing to do because we don’t do enough to help.
3.) There are high numbers of homeless people living on the streets and highways of cities big and large.

10. SAMPLE PROMPT #3: Write an essay explaining why homework shouldn’t be assigned.
WEAK THESIS: Homework is a lot of work.
BETTER THESIS: Homework shouldn’t be assigned because students are too busy with extracurricular activities.
STRONG THESIS (you try): Homework shouldn’t be assigned because students already experience high levels of stress and need the opportunity to decompress after school.