Synthesis Essay:
Thesis Statements
Benchmark
Ms. Livingston
E11
Grade Level 11R
Time Required: 43
Unit: Critical Reading and Literary Response
March 2, 2015
Standards to be addressed:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.11-12.4 Produce clear and
coherent writing in which the development,
organization, and style are appropriate to task,
purpose, and audience. (Grade-specific expectations
for writing types are defined in standards 1-3 above.)
SWBAT: Critically read to identify elements of an argument; Develop an appropriately complex thesis statement.
SWBAT: Critically read to identify
elements of an argument; Develop
an appropriately complex thesis
statement.
Directions: Choose two of the following statements and create a claim
statement about each of the following topics using the formula
Although A, B because C.
Example: Tobacco should be illegal for purchase or use.
Claim Statement: Although some believe that tobacco should remain
legal for purchase or use, tobacco should be illegal for purchase or use
because of harmful side effects.
• Everyone would be a lot better off without television.
• Discussions about religion should be allowed in school.
• Students should be able to ban a teacher if he/she does not teach
well.
• Students should be able to work without parental consent at age 16.
• Students should be able to choose which high school they attend.
• When a course is taught by more than one teacher, students should
be able to choose their teacher.
• If a student and teacher have problems getting along, either one
should be able to request a change in teachers.
• Parents should have to pay a fine when their kids skip school.
English 3H
11/19/2015
Today’s Goal: Develop an appropriately
complex thesis statement.
Agenda:
• Presentations
• Benchmark
• Small group
Homework: Read the 3 articles that weren’t
assigned to you, highlighting the quotes you
were given.
Formula for a Thesis Statement
Complex:
Although A, B and C
Even more complex:
Although A, B because C
Today’s Goal: Develop an appropriately complex thesis statement.
Example Thesis Statement
Although many think The Great Gatsby shows the triumph of
the American Dream, it actually reinforces the idea that it is
difficult to move between social classes because wealth is not
evenly distributed or respected, making it impossible to emulate
a rags to riches story.
Although many think The Great Gatsby shows the triumph of
the American Dream, it actually reinforces the idea that it is
a
b
difficult to move between social classes because wealth is not
evenly distributed or respected, making it impossible to emulate
c
a rags to riches story.
Today’s Goal: Develop an appropriately complex thesis statement.
Example Thesis Statements
Although some may say (character) does/doesn’t have power in (society/relationships), s/he is/isn’t
able to exert power because
.
Although some may say that (character) is (trait), she is actually (trait) because the defining roles for
women in the early twentieth century allowed for women to be
.
Although some may believe that The Great Gatsby shows the powerlessness of
actually reinforces the idea that
.
because
, it
Although some may believe that The Great Gatsby shows the power of
(men, the wealthy, the self-made man)
, it actually illustrates the idea that
because
.
Although some may say that The Great Gatsby illustrates the futility of
(The American Dream, the lower class, women)
, it actually shows
because
.
Today’s Goal: Develop an appropriately complex thesis statement.
Template for a Thesis
Statement
Although some say
a
,
b
(conjunction: because; and; despite)
Today’s Goal: Develop an appropriately complex thesis statement.
c
Sample Intro Paragraph
The American Dream has lured many to the shores and borders
of the United States in hopes of a better future for themselves
and their loved ones. Consequentially, our American mythology
is packed with examples of those who have succeeded,
achieved, and amassed great happiness and wealth through
their hard work and tenacity. These stories are prevalence in
our culture, and propagate the myth of The American Dream.
One such story, the novel The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott
Fitzgerald, follow the tragic rise and fall of Jay Gatsby, as he
claws his way to wealth and fortune in hopes of winning back his
long-lost love, Daisy. Although many think The Great Gatsby
shows the triumph of the American Dream, it actually reinforces
the idea that it is difficult to move between social classes
because wealth is not evenly distributed or respected, making it
impossible to emulate a rags to riches story.
Sample Intro Paragraph
The American Dream has lured many to the shores and borders
of the United States in hopes of a better future for themselves
and their loved ones. Consequentially, our American mythology
is packed with examples of those who have succeeded,
achieved, and amassed great happiness and wealth through
their hard work and tenacity. These stories are prevalence in
our culture, and propagate the myth of The American Dream.
One such story, the novel The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott
Fitzgerald, follow the tragic rise and fall of Jay Gatsby, as he
claws his way to wealth and fortune in hopes of winning back his
long-lost love, Daisy. Although many think The Great Gatsby
shows the triumph of the American Dream, it actually reinforces
the idea that it is difficult to move between social classes
because wealth is not evenly distributed or respected, making it
impossible to emulate a rags to riches story.
Closing
Read your thesis statement aloud to your
group.
Today’s Goal: Develop an appropriately complex thesis statement.