English course - Essay and Argument Structure Discussion

Analyzing the Cell Phones in Classrooms essay, the thesis is stated as, "while there has been mounting research that shows that the use, and overuse, of cell phones can lead to issues like distraction, addiction, and even cyber bullying, this does not mean that cell phones should be banned from all classrooms."

I believe this does work well as a thesis statement because the writer gives provides their topic,provides an argument and states their position. 

The writer makes various claims to support their argument; such as in case of an emergency, providing new opportunities for learning in the classroom, and providing accommodations that students may not have access to.

The first claim that the writer makes in this essay is based upon having a cell phone in the classroom in the event of an emergency. The writer highlights the importance of having both incoming and outgoing communication. A variety of examples are used to support their claim. The writer paints a picture of a student getting injured in a secluded area, such as a restroom and being able to call for help with their cell phone. The writer also appeals to the emotion by giving an example of an active shooter scenario and being able to discretely call the authorities. Lastly, the writer makes the reader think about being able to receive important messages from our loved ones, be it a spouse going into labor, or an elderly family member having a fall. "If cell phones were banned, or required to be turned off in the classroom, they wouldn't be able to get these messages."

Not only does the conclusion restate the thesis, but the writer also makes the suggestion of setting guidelines in order to get the reader to agree with their position.