Your Junior Theme Your Junior Theme is a

Your Junior Theme… Your Junior Theme is a persuasive essay, often called academic argument. Your assignment is to convince your reader that you have an interesting, logical point of view on the subject you are studying.

THESIS STATEMENT After a brief introduction of your topic, you will state your point of view on the topic directly and often in one sentence. This sentence is thesis statement, and serves as a summary of the argument you’ll make in the rest of your paper.

What is a Thesis Statement? A thesis statement: §is the main point you express, explain, or try to prove in your paper §is a road map for the paper; in other words, it tells the reader what to expect from the rest of the paper

A thesis statement: §makes a claim that others might dispute §is usually a single sentence at the end of your first paragraph that presents your argument to the reader

A thesis statement: §should be specific, pointed, and provocative, promising the reader some new information about your topic §should always be more that a vague generalization

A typical thesis statement will have two parts §The first part states the topic §Kenya’s culture §The second part states the point of the essay (also called the controlling idea) §has a rich and varied history. Or in the second part you could simply list the three main ideas you will discuss §has a long history, blends traditions from several other cultures, and provides a rich heritage.

Another example… §The first part states the topic §Public Transportation §The second part states the point of the essay (also called the controlling idea) §takes time and patience. Or in the second part you could simply list the three main ideas you will discuss §helps with traffic congestion, resource management, and the city budget.

Another way to write a thesis statement for an argumentative paper… Although opponents of gun control say that it does nothing to fight crime or save lives, a seven-day waiting period before being able to buy a gun is necessary to keep more people from dying, to keep more people from being robbed, and to keep guns out of the hands of known criminals.

This thesis statement first represents the opponents’ point of view (that people against gun control say that the seven-day waiting period doesn’t help fight crime or save lives) and then expresses the writer’s point of view (that the waiting period is necessary).

Another similar example… Contrary to what some philosophers have advanced, human beings have always participated in wars.

And ANOTHER way to write a thesis statement… You can use a because clause to make a claim that you will defend. This is called an enthymeme.

Some examples… §There has never been world peace because nations always fight for resources. §Hyperactive children need medication because ADHD is a medical disorder, not a behavioral problem. §Participating in one of the martial arts, such as Tae Kwon Do, is good for children because it promotes self -discipline.

So remember… A thesis statement guides the writer as well as the writing. It should keep you on track, and every paragraph of the paper should have a clear connection to thesis statement. Sometimes as you write a paper, your ideas may change, in this case make sure you revise your thesis statement.

NOW… §Look at your topic §Think about the research you’ve gathered §What is most of your research saying? §What do you think about your topic? §Write a thesis statement for your Junior Theme