1. Warm Up 9.11.12: Take a piece of lined paper and answer the following: If the yearbook had a section below your picture that said “In fifteen years I see myself…” … What would you put to complete the sentence?

3. What is a thesis? the·sis/THēsis/ (Noun): A statement or theory that is put forward as a premise to be maintained or proved: "can you support your thesis?". (in Hegelian philosophy) A proposition forming the first stage in the process of dialectical reasoning.

4. Your Paper: An Argumentative Paper… Argumentative Paper: Makes a claim about at topic and justifies this claim with evidence. Your claim: can be an opinion, policy proposal, an evaluation, a cause and effect statement, or an interpretation. Goal: to convince the audience that the claim is true and based on evidence provided.

5. Your Thesis Acknowledge a topic, then a controversy. Explain what are the two sides of the controversy. State the position that you will take; which side will you take? Example: Mandatory education is a controversial topic. Many believe that school is essential for society to succeed, so school should be mandatory. On the other hand, many also believe that students should be allowed to leave school at age 15 to begin pursuing a career, a job, or an apprenticeship. This paper will support the position that school should not be mandatory.

6. Activity: What are the two sides? Directions: Come up with two potential sides to each statement. Side A agrees, Side B disagrees. 1) Smoking is bad for your health. Side A- Side B- 2) Men are not equal to women. Side A- Side B- 3) Mr. Smith is an effective teacher. Side A- Side B- 4. School should be year- round. Side A- Side B- 5. Cell phone have a place in schools. Side A- Side B- 6. Everyone should have to go to the military. Side A- Side B

7. Activity: What are the two sides? Directions: Come up with two potential sides to each statement. Side A agrees, Side B disagrees. 1) Smoking is bad for your health. Side A-It causes cancer. Side B-It makes you look cool. 2) Men are not equal to women. Side A-Men are stronger. Side B-Mentally they are equal. 3) Mr. Smith is an effective teacher. Side A- Most of his students go to college. Side B- His students have lower PSSA scores than most teachers’ students. 4. School should be year-round. Side A- Student’s “un-learn” during summer. Side B- They need a break. 5. Cell phone have a place in schools. Side A- They disrupt learning. Side B- They enhance student’s experiences in school. 6. Everyone should have to go to the military. Side A- Our country will be more unified/together. Side B- It puts people’s lives at risk.

8. Let’s come up with the two sides of an argument…. Argument: The speed limit in Pennsylvannia should be increased to 85 m.p.h., from 65 m.p.h. Side A (support/agree) : Side B(opposition/disagree):

9. Let’s come up with the two sides of an argument…. Argument: The speed limit in Pennsylvania should be increased to 85 m.p.h., from 65 m.p.h. Side A (support/agree): Tests show that the majority of drivers actually speed on a regular basis, therefore the speed limit should be increased. Side B(opposition/disagree): The current speed limit keeps people safe.

10. Sr. Project Topic & Thesis Statement Worksheet (p7) 1. Area of interest: Medicine 2. Identify three controversies within your career interest: Stem cells, malpractice, cancer. 3. Choose one controversy: There are arguments in favor of and against harvesting embryonic stem cells for research. 3. Choose your position and write it into a sentence: Government should allow harvesting of embryonic tem cells for research. 3. Add acknowledgement of opposing side to generate a working thesis: Despite opposition, government should allow harvesting of embryonic stem cells for research.

11. Sr. Project Topic & Thesis Statement Worksheet (p7) Complete page 7 in your handbook in complete sentences. When you are satisfied with your statement, transfer to your Proposal and Parent Contract on page 10-11.