Good Thesis Statement Topics
Proficient essay writing is a vital learning tool throughout a school career. Youngsters in elementary school, middle and high school students, and college undergraduates all need to understand the qualities that make a good thesis statement topic. The Writing Tutorial Services at Indiana University, Bloomington, offers a checklist of four attributes when writing an essay on a good thesis statement topic: Take on a subject upon which reasonable people could disagree, deal with a subject that can be adequately treated given the nature of the assignment, express one main idea and assert your conclusions about a subject.
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Get Personal
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Give elementary school students the opportunity to choose their own topic for a thesis statement. Provide them the opportunity to express an opinion that directly relates to their own lives. Is a student lobbying his parents for a new puppy? Does a student want to watch a TV show or visit a website that her parents have pronounced off-limits? Or maybe a student wants to explain to his parents why he should or shouldn't have to do chores around the house to earn an allowance. Have each student create a thesis statement from that topic from daily life.
Pick a Side in a Friendly Debate
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Middle and high school students are beginning to appreciate differing points of view and may enjoy using topics from peer group conversations for essay writing assignments. Have students submit one or two topics that they have recently found to be a subject of debate among their group of friends. Have the students explore the topics through class discussion before asking them to write, as this gives them a better idea of both sides of the issue. If students need prompting, pop culture can provide useful ideas. What's the best music out there right now? Best movie? TV show? Students should choose a topic from the class discussion to develop into a thesis statement and essay.
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Show Your Knowledge of a Classroom Subject
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All grade levels can develop topics from their classwork. Social studies and science classes lend themselves well to this sort of topic. Give the students ownership of their essay by allowing them to take a stand on a question rather than simply regurgitate textbook information. Creating thesis statements like "Should the American colonies have gone to war to gain their independence? or "Why did the dinosaurs disappear?" allows students to show what they have learned on a topic while also allowing them to express a personal opinion.
Take a Stand on a Current Event
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High school and college students can benefit from taking a thoughtful stand on a current event. They can connect an emotional response to a world event to the creation of a thesis statement and essay based upon logic and solid support. This helps students present their point of view in a thoughtful, considered way. Students can express both their personal opinion and demonstrate proper researching techniques when choosing a current events topic and creating a personal thesis statement.
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