1. What is the Topic/Thesis Statement
It is located in the ________________________ paragraph of a paper.
The best place to put the topic/thesis sentences is the __________ sentence of the _____________________ paragraph.
The topic/thesis statement tells the _______________what the paper is about.
Introductory
last
Introductory
reader
Created By: Shanta Lightfoot 2012

2. The Topic/Thesis Sentence Formula
__________ + _________ paragraph of a paper.
Do not use “I” or “Your” in your thesis statements (i.e. Students at Ligon…, people who believe…).
In the prompt, focus on the sentence that tells you what the _____________________ is. Pick your topic from this sentence.
Topic
Opinion
subject
Created By: Shanta Lightfoot 2012

3. Created By: Shanta Lightfoot 2012
-Identify the TAP in the following prompt.
“Your teacher has asked you to help select the next book that will be read in class. Think about books that you have read. Evaluate a book that you would recommend for the class based on the criteria you use to select books. Share your criteria with your teacher in a letter.”
Topic: ______________________
Audience: ___________________
Purpose:____________________
Selecting a book for the class to read
Your teacher
Writing a letter- to persuade
Created By: Shanta Lightfoot 2012

4. Created By: Shanta Lightfoot 2012
TAP Practice #1
Most middle schools have a school-wide list of rules that apply to all students. Think about the rules that students in your school are required to follow and pick one of these rules to evaluate. Consider whether or not the rule is necessary in order for your school to be a safe and productive learning environment for all students and adults. Share your evaluation in a letter to your principal.
Topic: ______________________
Audience: ___________________
Purpose:____________________
Rules students have to follow
Principal
Letter- inform, advise
Created By: Shanta Lightfoot 2012

5. Created By: Shanta Lightfoot 2012#2
The PTA at your school has set aside money from this year’s fundraiser to make improvements to your school grounds. Write an article for the newspaper telling what change is needed, why you think this change should be made, and why others should support this effort.
Topic: ______________________
Audience: ___________________
Purpose:____________________
Improvements to school grounds
Students, PTA
Inform, advise, persuade- write an article for the newspaper.
Created By: Shanta Lightfoot 2012

6. Created By: Shanta Lightfoot 2012#3
Research shows that students do well in school when their surroundings are clean and well cared for. Recently, students reported to the principal that they noticed that the hallways and walkways were littered with garbage. Gum wrappers and soda cans were everywhere. In a letter to the president of the student council, consider solutions for how our school can improve the cleanliness of our building.
Topic: ______________________
Audience: ___________________
Purpose:____________________
Improvements to school grounds
President of the Student Council
Letter- inform, advise
Created By: Shanta Lightfoot 2012

7. Created By: Shanta Lightfoot 2012#4
Many people feel that middle school students watch too much television. Experts state that watching too much TV can have a negative effect on children. Write an essay that discusses solution(s) to the problem of children watching too much TV.
Topic: ______________________
Audience: ___________________
Purpose:____________________
Watching too much TV can have a negative effect on children
Experts, Students, Parents
Essay-inform, advise, persuade
Created By: Shanta Lightfoot 2012

8. Created By: Shanta Lightfoot 2012#5
Your teacher has asked you to help select the next book that will be read in class. Think about books that you have read. Evaluate a book that you would recommend for the class based on the criteria you use to select books. Share your criteria with your teacher in a letter.
Topic: ______________________
Audience: ___________________
Purpose:____________________
Selecting a book for the class to read
Your teacher
Writing a letter- to persuade
Created By: Shanta Lightfoot 2012

9. Created By: Shanta Lightfoot 2012#6
Young people are more unhealthy, overweight, and obese than ever, because they are developing habits of unhealthy eating with little exercise. Parents, doctors, and teens are worried about this epidemic, but often don’t know what to do about it. Consider the problem of overweight young people and their lack of healthy habits. How could students make better choices regarding food and exercise? Evaluate the reasonable solutions that would convince teens to change their unhealthy lifestyle.
Topic: ______________________
Audience: ___________________
Purpose:____________________
Overweight young people and their lack of healthy habits.
Teens, Adults, Cafeteria Workers, etc
Advise, persuade- Students to make better choices
Created By: Shanta Lightfoot 2012