Exercises — Week 10: Thesis Statements and Elements of Argumentation

1. Thesis Builder

1. TOPIC — In one phrase, name the subject of your research essay (e.g., food deserts in Baltimore, social media and teen mental health, college student debt).
2. RESEARCH QUESTION — Write the specific question your essay will answer. It should be open-ended and not have an obvious yes/no answer.
3. CLAIM — Write a one-sentence answer to your research question. This is your working thesis. Make it specific: name the subject, the claim, and the key reasoning.
4. ARGUABLE? — Could a reasonable person disagree with your claim? If yes, it is arguable. If your claim is a widely accepted fact, revise to take a more specific or contested position.
5. QUALIFIED? — Add a qualifier that acknowledges limitation or condition: 'While X is true, Y demonstrates that...' or 'Although widely accepted, evidence suggests...'
6. TEST — Read your thesis aloud. Does it tell the reader exactly what you will prove and why? Can you imagine three body paragraphs, each supporting a different part of this claim?