Thesis Statement Exercise

· Identify each of the following thesis statements as adequate or inadequate. If the thesis is weak or insufficient in some way, explain the problem.

1. I think Schindler’s List is a really interesting movie that everybody should see.

2. Which cars are designed better, Japanese imports or those made in the United States?

3. Some people think that the state lottery is a bad way to raise money for parks.

4. The passage of the newly proposed health-care bill for the elderly will lead to socialized medicine in this country.

5. My essay will tell you how to apply for a college loan with the least amount of trouble.

6. During the fall term, final examinations should be given before Winter Break, not after the holidays as they are now.

7. Raising the cost of tuition will be a terrible burden on the students and won’t do anything to improve the quality of education at this school.

8. I can’t stand to even look at people who are into body piercing, especially in their face.

9. People over seventy-five should be required to renew their driver’s license every year.

10. Having a close friend that you can talk to is very important.

· Rewrite the following sentences so that each one is a clear thesis statement. Be prepared to explain why you changed the sentences as you did. You will have to take some creative liberties when rewriting these and add your own details or interpretations.

1. Applying for a job can be a negative experience.

2. There are many advantages and disadvantages to the country’s new voting machines.

3. Buying baseball tickets online is one big headache.

4. In this paper I will debate the pros and cons of the controversial motorcycle helmet law.

5. We need to do something about the billboard clutter on the main highway into town.

6. The insurance laws in this country need to be rewritten.

7. Bicycle riding is my favorite exercise because it’s so good for me.

8. In my opinion, Santa Barbara is a fantastic place.

9. The Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s had a tremendous effect on this country.

10. All my friends like the band Thriving Ivory, and it’s too bad they don’t play more venues around here.

· Narrow the subject and write one good thesis statement for five of the following topics:

· A political or social issue

· College or high school

· Family

· A hobby or pastime

· A recent book or movie

· Vacations

· An environmental issue

· A current fad or fashion

· A job or profession

· A rule, law, or regulation

· Review the thesis statements you wrote for the last exercise. Write an essay map for each thesis statement. You may place the map before or after the thesis, or you may make it part of the thesis itself. Identify which part is the essay map by underlining it.