how to write a real-world thesis statement

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How to Write a Real-World Thesis Statement Also known as: How to plan your 2Fer paper at SLA

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A series of questions and activities that help you brainstorm a thesis statement... on anything you want! Also known as: How to plan your 2Fer paper at SLA

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Page 1: How to Write a Real-World Thesis Statement

How to Writea Real-World

Thesis Statement

Also known as: How to plan your 2Fer paper at SLA

Page 2: How to Write a Real-World Thesis Statement

At SLA, students in the 11th grade write a two-page paper every two weeks… on any topic they want.

In order to help them develop quality thesis statements, I produced a series of activities.

It begins with one basic question:

Page 3: How to Write a Real-World Thesis Statement

Why is the world the way that it is?

Page 4: How to Write a Real-World Thesis Statement

Why is the world the way that it is?

Ok, that’s the vaguest

question ever. You could

answer this for the rest of

your life and barely scratch the surface. So it’s

time to zoom in…

Page 5: How to Write a Real-World Thesis Statement

Why is ________ the way that it is?

Page 6: How to Write a Real-World Thesis Statement

Why is ________ the way that it is?

Page 7: How to Write a Real-World Thesis Statement

Why is ________ the way that it is?

Page 8: How to Write a Real-World Thesis Statement

Why is ________ the way that it is?

Page 9: How to Write a Real-World Thesis Statement

Why are high schools the way that they are?

Page 10: How to Write a Real-World Thesis Statement

Narrow it down!

Page 11: How to Write a Real-World Thesis Statement

Narrow it down!Patterns and Themes

Page 12: How to Write a Real-World Thesis Statement

Narrow it down!Patterns and Themes

Past, Present, and Future

Page 13: How to Write a Real-World Thesis Statement

Narrow it down!Patterns and Themes

Past, Present, and FutureCause and Effect

Page 14: How to Write a Real-World Thesis Statement

Narrow it down!Patterns and Themes

Past, Present, and FutureCause and Effect

Unusual Connections

Page 15: How to Write a Real-World Thesis Statement

Narrow it down!Patterns and Themes

Past, Present, and FutureCause and Effect

Unusual ConnectionsExpectations vs. Reality

Page 16: How to Write a Real-World Thesis Statement

Why are high schools _______?

Page 17: How to Write a Real-World Thesis Statement

Why are high schools _______?

Why are they so similar across the country?

Page 18: How to Write a Real-World Thesis Statement

Why are high schools _______?

Why are they so similar across the country?

Why are they divided intoCore subjects?

Page 19: How to Write a Real-World Thesis Statement

Why are high schools _______?

Why are they so similar across the country?

Why are they divided intoCore subjects?

Why are they so focusedon grades and rankings?

Page 20: How to Write a Real-World Thesis Statement

Why are high schools _______?

Why are they so similar across the country?

Why are they divided intoCore subjects?

Why are they so focusedon grades and rankings?

Why do so many students drop out, when most people agree that high school ed. Is essential?

Page 21: How to Write a Real-World Thesis Statement

A question is NOT a thesis statement.

Page 22: How to Write a Real-World Thesis Statement

You must ANSWER the question!

Why are they so similar across the country?

Why are they divided intoCore subjects?

Why are they so focusedon grades and rankings?

Why do so many students drop out, when most people agree that high school ed. Is essential?

Page 23: How to Write a Real-World Thesis Statement

Unique, Insightful, and Debatable

And remember, your final thesis statement should set out to be

Page 24: How to Write a Real-World Thesis Statement

Try making your own thesis statement by answering one

of these Q’s now.

Why are they so similar across the country?

Why are they divided intoCore subjects?

Why are they so focusedon grades and rankings?

Why do so many students drop out, when most people agree that high school ed. Is essential?

Page 25: How to Write a Real-World Thesis Statement

High schools are all so similar because…

Page 26: How to Write a Real-World Thesis Statement

High schools are so focused on grades and rankings

because…

Page 27: How to Write a Real-World Thesis Statement

Remember, it all comes down to…

Why is ________ the way that it is?

Page 28: How to Write a Real-World Thesis Statement

Photo credits:

Slide 6: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kathycsus/408020988/sizes/l/in/photostream/

Slide 7: http://www.flickr.com/photos/whitehouse/5391637466/in/set-72157625788363887/

Slide 8, 9, 25: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dystopos/195707530/sizes/l/in/photostream/

Slide 26: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pjern/2150874047/in/photostream/ Slide 27:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fsse-info/2792355658/sizes/l/in/photostream/

E-mail me at: Lpahomov at scienceleadership dot org