SAVE MY CLAIMQuick Tips for Writing Debatable Thesis

Statements

Skyra BlanchardQuince Orchard High School

Formerly of State College Area High Schoolskycblanch@gmail.com

@mssblanchard

Discuss your experiences with teaching persuasive writing.

Objective & Agenda

For participants to walk away with tools to help their students develop persuasive arguments The problemsThe thought processesThe “solutions”

Photo credit: ©athrine via Foter.com / CC BY-NC-SA

Discuss the issues pertaining to students and their thesis statements--in essence, recount thesis workshop day in your classrooms.

Photo credit: Photos by Mavis via Foter.com / CC BY

The Problems❏ Plot points / summary as

claims❏ Claims as unworthy

paraphrases❏ More is better ❏ Anything they think

about is a viable argument (and maybe it is?)

❏ Abstract / philosophy statements are “good” arguments

Photo credit: Takashi(aes256) via Foter.com / CC BY-SA

Student Example

Does American society allow for a poor individual to become wealthy? Some people do believe that it is in fact completely possible for a poor individual to become wealthy in America, whereas others are very doubtful such a drastic effect can be achieved. Within American society, most believe, it is improbable for an individual to go from poor to rich because the American people have become more pessimistic and are more untrusting of our government.

THE SOLUTIONS Photo credit: Infomastern via Foter.com / CC BY-SA

Start with open-minded inquiry:How can we get students to “abandon” / “pause” their initial assumptions?

Photo credit: Frits Ahlefeldt, Hiking.org via Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND

Let’s get our students thinking about building thoughtful & worthy arguments in writing

cause effectPlot point / summary statement

Example Scaffold

Cause Effect● He wanted Daisy● He didn’t want to be poor● He wanted to be Dan Cody● He resented his lazy parents

● He lost Daisy● He was killed● He lost himself

To help students create arguable claims, follow this (or a version of this template):Step 1: Start with a plot point.

E.g. Gatsby was liar.

Step 2: Encourage students to think about the cause and effect of their plot point.

Step 3: Develop an arguable thesis.As a result of Gatsby’s incessant lying, he was

killed.

Claims answer the question...HOW? WHY?

Running Thesis: As a result of Gatsby’s incessant lying, he was killed.

Student Examples

How? Why?People should be responsible for their actions, even if they’re unintentional.

It’s possible for most people to go from being impoverished to wealthy in America.

Other Tips

❏ Allow student choice❏ Promote real audiences and Purposes❖ Scaffold❏ Work with students one on onePhoto credit:

Seth Thomas Rasmussen via Foter.com / CC BY-NC-SA

Provide Outlines

Thank you for coming

Questions, Comments, Concerns...

Text Recommendations