Op-Ed Thesis Statements and Critiques

Starter 18

1. Based on the research you've done, what are two new or revised opinions or perspectives you have about your issue?
2. What do you think is the most important thing you can communicate to other people about your issue?  Why should other people care about this?

Thesis Statement Criteria

• Must be arguable (not a statement of fact).
• Example: The use of sweatshops in the developing world is beneficial to the workers.
• Must immediately catch the readers' attention (think word choice and drama!).
• Example: Our habit of greedily consuming is to blame for the hideous suffering of 3rd world workers.
• Must be clear and concise.  Avoid wordy and complex sentences- think short and punchy!
• Ex: The WTO undermines democracy all over the world.

Thesis Writing

Write THREE possible versions of your thesis statement.  These could be 3 different ideas or perspectives you're thinking about, or they could be the same perspective worded in three different ways.

Thesis Critiques

Have your thesis statements critiqued by two different people, using the critique form above.

Thesis Revision

1. Revise and finalize your thesis statement.
2. Show Lori your final version.
3. List evidence.  Find 5-10 facts, quotes, statistics, or anecdotes from your research that you could use to support the perspective of your thesis.  List these in a document (typed or handwritten).

HOMEWORK:  Finalize thesis and finish evidence gathering.  DUE: Start of class, Thursday.