CP-M3-DB

Thesis-Building Guide for the Persuasive Essay

You may select any topic from the linked list, but I would strongly recommend choosing a topic about which you're somewhat undecided, but would like to learn more.

The topics are structured to guide you to take a position, but to make it a strong thesis, you'll need to add the three reasons that support your position, whether it's structured as will/won't, is/isn't, should/shouldn't, etc. If you'd like to reframe a given topic to fit a claim of policy, think about what should (or shouldn't) be done regarding it.

Thesis Builder:

The following table steps you through the process of going from topic to thesis. For a persuasive essay, a claim of policy is the easiest to make, and you can also incorporate your counterargument into your thesis statement with an additional step.

The following example is for a persuasive essay on school uniforms.

Topic Claim of Policy Thesis Statement Thesis Statement with Counterargument

Example:

School Uniforms

Example:

School uniforms should or should not [what?].

School uniforms should be mandatory in all public schools.

Example:

School uniforms should be mandatory in all public schools [why?].

School uniforms should be mandatory in all public schools because they reduce bullying, increase student focus, and save parents money.

Example:

While many argue that uniforms unfairly limit a student's personal expression, school uniforms should be mandatory in all public schools because they have many positive effects that outweigh that limitation, including reducing bullying, increasing student focus, and saving parents money.