Thesis
Statement
Banned Book Research
Paper Assignment
English 9
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Introduction
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A thesis statement provides the
following for your reader and your
paper:
Notifies the reader of your original
idea regarding your topic.
Expresses a specific feeling about
a subject or highlights a specific
feature of it.
Provides a tone (feeling), focus
and direction for your writing.
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Thesis Formula
Formula: A specific subject (bungee
jumping) + a specific feeling or
feature (stretches safety to the
limit) = an effective focus or thesis
statement.
Bungee jumping stretches safety to
the limit.
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Argumentative Thesis
Statement
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For the purpose of this paper, you
will be presenting an argument and
identifying your position about that
argument.
State your position or claim for the
reader.
Provide the reasons/evidence
(research) to support this claim.
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The Argument
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While your general argument will
be based upon your position
regarding the banning of your
book, your thesis statement will
give original, specific ideas about
the topic.
You will then use your paper to
prove and show support for your
claim.
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Argument Example
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“Slavery didn’t cause the civil war.”
“Romeo and Juliet should not be read in
schools because of sexual and violent
content.”
Hint: The banning of
your book is the
argument.
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Thesis Examples
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“Disagreement between the North and South
over tariffs and states’ rights was a more
significant cause of the Civil War than were
opposing views about slavery.” (This is a strong
thesis statement that makes CONTROVERSIAL
claims against which people could argue, and it
clearly identifies specific economic and political
factors).
“Although Romeo and Juliet contains aspects of
sexual and violent content, there are powerful
and meaningful themes that are worth discussing
and learning.”
Hint: Your thesis is
your position on the
banning of your book.
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Some things to
consider…
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A thesis statement should be
neither obvious or vague.
A thesis statement must be
arguable and controversial.
It should be possible for someone
to come up with a reasonable
argument contradicting your own.
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Introductory Paragraph
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The first paragraph of the paper
describes the focus of your
argument and your reason for
making it.
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In the paragraph, you
should:
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A: Attract the audience.
B: Provide background information,
must include title and author.
C: Central thesis. Argument plus your
position.
D: Divisions. The support (research) you
will discuss in your paper…banning,
author, your thoughts.
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Example:
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A: In the constitution, it states the guarantee of
freedom of speech and of the press.
B: Even though this is stated in a government
document, book banning flourishes today. The
Butterfly Revolution by William Butler is a book about a
young boy who goes to camp for the first time, and has
the worst time of his life.
C: Although vile social habits, belief in atheism, and
plots of overthrowing adult authority is not suitable for
readers, this book should not be banned.
D: Authors of banned books and challenged books
have tried to express their feelings and thoughts, but
they have been rejected for the inappropriate novels to
stop young people from reading them.
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Example of a good
introductory paragraph
In the constitution, it states the guarantee of
freedom of speech and of the press. Even
though this is stated in a government document,
book banning flourishes today. The Butterfly
Revolution by William Butler is a book about a
young boy who goes to camp for the first time,
and has the worst time of his life. Although vile
social habits, belief in atheism, and plots of
overthrowing adult authority is not suitable for
readers, this book should not be banned.
Authors of banned books and challenged books
have tried to express their feelings and thoughts,
but they have been rejected for the inappropriate
novels to stop young people from reading them.
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