1. Thesis The most crucial sentence in your entire argument

2. Thesis= Claim + 3 Reasons • Claim: We should be able to use our cell phones in school. • Reason 1: Having cell phones in school promotes learning because you can access the internet, look up words in the dictionary, • Reason 2: Cell phones enhance communication because kids could use cell phones to call parents, organize group work for school, and leave notes about homework for themselves. • Reason 3: They are an expression of personal taste and style.

3. Many ways to write a thesis • Start with the opposing argument: While/Although______(counterpoint)______,______(Claim)________________________ because __(3 reasons) ___________ ___________________________________________________. • Start with the reasons: ___________(3reasons)________________; therefore, _________________(claim)___________________________________. • Start with the claim: ___(claim)______________________ as/ because ________________________(3reasons)_____________________________________.

4. Examples While/Although______(counterpoint)______,______(Claim)________________________ because __(3 reasons) ___________________________. • Start with the opposing argument: • While cell phones are loud and might be considered distracting, they would be beneficial in school because they promote learning, enhance communication, and serve as an expression of personal taste and style. • Start with the reasons: ___________(3reasons)________________; therefore, _________________(claim)___________________________________. • Cell phones enhance parental communication, promote learning through internet access, and reflect personal taste; therefore, cell phones should be allowed in school. • Start with the claim: ___(claim)______________________ as/ because ________________________(3reasons)_____________________________________. • Cell phone use should be permitted in school as it enhances parental communication, promotes learning through internet access, and reflects personality.

5. Your turn: • List your claim in your packet (1.d.) • List your five reasons in your packet (1.e.) • Out of those five, circle the three that make the best argument for your position. (1.f.) • List your three best reasons on step 2 (2.b.) • Number them in order of strongest to weakest. Fill this in on your bubble sheet. (2.c.)

6. Your turn: Write each of the following types of thesis statements for your position and reasoning: • Start with the opposing argument: • Write your own creative thesis statement that includes your position and three reasons. While/Although______(counterpoint)______,______(Claim)________________________ because __(3 reasons) ___________________________. • Start with the reasons: ___________(3reasons)________________; therefore, _________________(claim)___________________________________. • Start with the claim: ___(claim)______________________ as/ because ________________________(3reasons)_____________________________________.

7. Enhance it Choose the sentence that sounds best for your position and reasoning. • Look in a thesaurus to see if you can replace simple, basic words with ones that will have a greater impact on the reader. • Re-read your sentence to ensure that it is clear and makes sense. • Have a peer read your sentence to ensure that it is clear and makes sense. • Check mechanics (punctuation, etc.) for accuracy.