Causes of Conflict CBA for Mr. McKeehan: Formulating a Thesis

In your position paper you are entering a conversation. You will:

• engage your reader in an academic arguement
• write to a specific issue
• summarize what others are saying about the issue
• take a stance
• defend your position taking into account the ways

You will do this by including:

• factual knowledge
• statistical evidence
• informed opinions
• authorative testimony

When planning a persuasive essay, follow these steps

1. Choose your position. Which side of the issue or problem are you going to write about, and what solution will you offer? Know the purpose of your essay.
   
   
2. Analyze your audience. Decide if your audience agrees with you, is neutral, or disagrees with your position.
   
   
3. Research your topic. A persuasive essay must provide specific and convincing evidence. Often it is necessary to go beyond your own knowledge and experience. You might need to go to the library or interview people who are experts on your topic.
   
   
4. Structure your essay. Figure out what evidence you will include and in what order you will present the evidence. Remember to consider your purpose, your audience, and you topic.

The following criteria are essential to produce an effective argument:

• Be well informed about your topic. To add to your knowledge of a topic, read thoroughly about it, using legitimate sources. Take notes.
  
  
• Test your thesis. Your thesis, i.e., argument, must have two sides. It must be debatable. If you can write down a thesis statement directly opposing your own, you will ensure that your own argument is debatable.
  
  
• Disprove the opposing argument. Understand the opposite viewpoint of your position and then counter it by providing contrasting evidence or by finding mistakes and inconsistencies in the logic of the opposing argument.
  
  
• Support your position with evidence. Remember that your evidence must appeal to reason. The following are different ways to support your argument: Facts - A powerful means of convincing, facts can come from your reading, observation, or personal experience.

Directons for Writing a Thesis Statement from Fay School Library

A tutorial on How to Write a Theis Statement by Joyce Valenza at Springfiled High School

These are some interactive tools that may help you map out your thought and formulate your thesis.

Interactive Persuasive Map

Persuasive Map Grahpic Organizer

Thesis Builder

Interactive NoteTaker using an Outline Format

Useful templates to incorporate in your writing
From the Book, They Say / I Say

Most people think/assume (topic) because (main argument against your opinion), however, for reasons that (arguments supporting your opinion) (state your postion).

Example:

Even though there may be considerable advantages to (main argument against your opinion) , (state your position) because (arguments supporting your opinion).


Although (main argument against your opinion) , a closer look at the issue suggests that (state your position) because (arguments supporting your opinion).