/ Name:______________
Thesis Statement – Today’s attendance writing exercise (for Group Activity)
Remember that a strong thesis statement must include a point of view in your own words that
can be supported with evidence; it is not considered as an established fact; it is specific, precise
enough to remain focused on the presented point of view.
Choose the strongest thesis statement based on the topic idea provided.
1. Based on a topic choice of teacher pay, which thesis would be the strongest?
(1) Teachers have the important job of educating our children and should be paid higher
wages to reflect the importance of this task.
(2) Teachers make less money than most people think.
(3) This paper will explore reasons why teachers across the country should be paid higher
wages.
(4) I think teachers are hard workers.
(Answer?
)
2. Based on a topic choice of vegetarian diets, which thesis would be the strongest?
(1) It is not right for so many people to eat so much meat.
(2) A well-balanced, vegetarian diet provides significant health benefits, and Americans
could benefit from becoming vegetarians.
(3) This essay is about the reasons why you should consider a healthier, vegetarian diet.
(4) Vegetarians live longer lives.
(Answer?
)
3. Based on a topic of childhood obesity, which thesis statement would be the strongest?
(1) The percentage of children in the United States who are obese increased from 7 percent
in 1980 to nearly 20 percent in 2008 (CDC, 2012).
(2) There are many solutions to the problem of childhood obesity.
(3) With the number of children with obesity on the rise in the U.S., parents need to be better
educated about the causes of childhood obesity.
(4) I know a lot of parents who are really struggling with the issue of childhood obesity.
(Answer?
)
4. Based on a topic of minimum wage in the United States, which thesis would be the strongest?
(1) This paper will explore many issues related to minimum wage in the United States, such
as the way an increased minimum wage will impact individuals, businesses, and the
overall economy.
(2) The minimum wage in the U.S. should be raised to a living wage, as doing so will benefit
individuals, businesses, and the overall economy.
(3) Polls show that most Americans would like to see the minimum wage in the United
States raised.
(4) After much research, I have concluded that the minimum wage in the United States must
be raised.
(Answer?
)